Comments on: The Socialization Myth

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:31:31 +0000

Interesting post — I’ve send homeschooled kids who were very anti-social and I’ve seen kids who ended up stars of public school sports teams (THAT certainly depends on the public district policy! And that’s been a hot topic where I live, upon occasion.) It’s just not that easy to generalize, at least in my own opinion. I will say, however, that any student, no matter where he/she attends, does better in a calm and nurturing environment. Wolf Pack Classroom Management Plan was written by a teacher for teachers and home school parents. It assures there are no cliques and no children left on the sidelines — being part of the “pack” is a greatway to include every child all the time. Of course, that’s important for all kids, but it’s especially important for those who feel isolated from their peers, for whatever reason.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:35:13 +0000

As a Mom who has been both routes, PS for 5 years with our oldest, and 1 year of homeschooling, I wish had homeschooled from the start.

I was very involved at the girls’ school, in the classroom, as a class mom, on committees etc. But even with all that I am just finding out about some of the undercurrent that goes on in PS. And, as the kids get older, it seems the meaner they get.

I agree with you Kari, and Diane as well, that you can’t lump everyone in either schooling genre as good or bad. But, even before we began homeschooling it was distinctly noticeable how well behaved and well mannered the homeschool kids we knew were.

In working weekly in A’s Kindergarten class, it was really apparent the variance in behavior and involvement from the parents – not at school. but at home. Having helped in a homeschooling class for both girls’ age groups, the classes were much easier to control.

Again, class size has an influence, as well as the teacher and the expectations put on the kids. I am just thankful that we have chosen homeschooling.

There are good kids and bad kids everywhere. But with people like Joyce Behar proclaiming homeschoolers are demented, we tend to get touchy.

By: Kari

Kari — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:29:23 +0000

Thanks for the input, Doris and Diane.

Diane, I agree that no one wins by stereotyping anyone, and I tried to cover that by mentioning initially that we can’t say that ALL of any one group is good or bad. The rest of the piece, I was honestly sharing my observations as a teacher in both settings. Maybe that particular school bred a certain kind of kid? But I stand by what I said about how shocked I was at the differences I observed between the two groups.

There were some good, honest, sweet-natured, highly motivated children in the school setting–they were the only reason I could bear doing that as long as I did. I know that your kids are caring, high-achieving children and I apologize if what I said offended you in any way.

It has felt that lately, the Internet has been inundated with negative stories against homeschooling and homeschooled kids. So, even though the linked story is a couple of years old, it was refreshing to finally be sent a link to something that contained real research to back up what we homeschoolers have felt and observed for a while now. It is sad that we still feel we have to defend our choices; however I suppose that’s just part of being a member of any minority group, and we who teach our kids at home are still very much a minority…and perhaps, because of that, more sensitive to how we are stereotyped.

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:38:10 +0000

I would never stereotype homeschool kids anymore than I would public school kids. I know many kids from both groups and find some of each type. I’ve seen homeschool kids who don’t know how to add or substract and public school kids the same. I’ve seen bad behavior in both. I guess alot depends on the quality of the schools and teachers. To lump all public school kids into poorly behaved, unrested, unkempt and mean is as unfair as to say all homeschooled kids are undereducated, undersocialized bunch of lazy hillbillies.
Great kids come from great parents who are involved and supportive of their kids and can come from either public or homeschooled. I know you homeschoolers are fighting a negative stereotype but we all know that there are good apples and bad apples in every group. The majority of kids from public school come out of it educated, socialized, and ready for the world as do homeschooled kids.
I’m glad that there is the choice to homeschool and I’m glad that many people take that option. I’m sad to see the need for either group to justify or protect their choice. Reminds me of the working mom vs the stay at home mom debate and no one wins in that one either.

By: Doris Baxter

Doris Baxter — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:01:38 +0000

Very good, Kari! I agree with you – I’ve met lots of home schooled kids – yours included – that are so much more easy to deal with. No way would I agree to work with traditionally taught kids these days. I’ve found them to be very rude and disruptive etc… The ones I’ve had dealings with who are home schooled are much better behaved and a joy to be around.