Socialization

I saw this article on Facebook. Its from a blog: homeschool diaries (its linked from my blog) I love reading things like this. Years before I started homeschooling Ben, I went back and forth about homeschooling and the socialization issue was a big reason. I only knew 2 other kids that were home schooled and they were weird. Like scary weird. I thought that was how all home schooled kids acted. I know now how silly I was and hopefully articles like this one will show everyone else too!

What About Socialization? Part Two

One of the most common questions asked of homeschool parents from friends, family and public educators is what about socialization?

Since the homeschool re-emergence of the 70s critics have perpetuated stories and myths. Proving academic success was easy. In 2009, a study surveyed over 11,000 homeschooled children and revealed that the average homeschooler scored 37 percentile points higher on standardized tests than the average public schooled child.[i]

Proving social adjustments were not that straightforward.

Last week we began to explore this familiar and often puzzling question.

If you missed the first post, be sure to catch up here – What About Socialization? Part One.

We explored a number of questions associated with socialization and today we will discuss the first of several.

Are Homeschooled Children Acquiring Appropriate Rules of Behavior, Beliefs and Attitudes Needed to Successfully Operate in the Real World?

Now, let’s put it bluntly.

Can our homeschooled kids function in the real world?

Sarcasm aside. Let’s look at a research timeline.

In 1985, social psychologists assessed a small sampling of homeschooled children. Positive traits were given to the children who scored above average in terms of social behavior.[ii]  Traits included:

• Friendly
• Helpful
• Trustworthy

This is the earliest socialization study conducted and the results based on some dubious measures; however they revealed that nothing was amiss in the world of homeschooling. Children were functioning well.

In 1986, researchers compared a sampling of homeschooled children to a group of kids attending a private school. The Roberts Apperception Test for Children was used to score the group.

Both groups scored in the well-adjusted range. There was only a slight difference between two groups. The private school group was “more influenced by or concerned with peers” than the homeschooled group.[iii]

In 1994, more research was conducted and the Adaptive Behavior Inventory for Children used. This test examines daily living skills, socialization, family and social maturity. The homeschooled children scored higher than public schooled children on subscales of family and community.

It was drawn from this research that, “socialization of children in home schools is effective without exposure to large groups of children. … Home school parents are imparting positive family socialization, which is not inferior to the public school culture.”[iv]

Most Recent and Revealing Homeschooling and Socialization Research

The most telling information is also the most current. The Canadian Centre for Home Educationstudied a homeschooled group of individuals from the age of 15 to 34. This was a 15-year study, 1994-2009, to track how homeschooled children functioned in society.

The results hushed public educators insisting that homeschooled children were not properly socialized.

• 69% of the group participated in socialized activities (organized) at least once per week, compared with 48% of those who attended public school.
• 67% of the homeschool group described themselves as extremely happy, compared to 44% of the public school group.
• 96% of the homeschool group indicated that they were prepared for life.

Interestingly, the average income for the homeschoolers was higher than the comparable population. The homeschool group received no government support or welfare, whereas 11 percent of the population among the other group did.

Critics of homeschooling were forced to rethink their stance on socialization. Homeschoolers are actively involved in community service, from voting to volunteer work. They are competing well in the job market, often beating out public educated competitors.

The professional fields vary among homeschoolers from doctors and scientists to authors and world leaders. The doors have not been closed for homeschoolers; in fact, they are being busted down with high achievement and strong social skills.

Could homeschooling be the answer to saving our public educational system? I venture to say that we are on the right track and leading the way.

Next week, we will discuss further socialization questions asked. Without going to public school, how will children learn routines? How will they function on the job and in the real world?

please share your feelings on homeschooling and socialization and if you believe your children are receiving enough social contact.

About the Author: Brenda Rufener is the author of Homeschool Diaries, a home educator of two children and freelance writer. Get more from Brenda on Facebook and Twitter.

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[i] “Homeschool Progress Report 2009,” Brian Ray, National Home Education Research Institute.

[ii] Reynolds, P. L. (1985). How home school families operate on a day-to-day basis: Three case studies.Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT.

[iii] Delahooke, M. M. (1986). Home educated children’s social/emotional adjustment and academic achievement: A comparative study. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles.

[iv] Lee, W. J. (1994). The socialization of home-schooled and public-schooled children. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of La Verne, La Verne, CA.