Jenn's Blog

Oh brother. I was just reading about Dr. Phil's homeschooling debate that aired about a year ago. I am really annoyed that Dr. Phil didn't do better research on this topic. Another homeschooling show is airing soon, let's hope it goes better!

#1 Homeschooling Myth: Socialization!!

The whole socialization thing is the Number One concern everyone has about homeschooling - but here's the thing: people ASSume that the only true or valid form of socialization is found in a traditional school setting. But no-one researches that theory to get to the truth of the matter. I mean, seriously, what DID the world do before traditional schooling became the norm?? Hmmm, I think they HOMESCHOOLED. And somehow we got to where we are today! Gasp!

Dr. Phil Says:

“Once kids get to high school, social development is important. They become more independent. They want to interact on their own. They’re post-pubescent. And so they don’t do well in a homeschool environment in high school as they do socially in a public or private school. So the truth is they’re not going to be like some nerd who’s scared by their own shadow because they’re homeschooled if you do a good job with the homeschooling and you get them into the extra-curriculars after the fact.

Lifeway.org says:

This study entitled “Homeschooling Grows Up” analyzes the first generation of homeschool graduates to examine “how they are succeeding in their homes, in their work, and in their lives.” Here are some of the highlights:

• Over 71% of homeschoolers participate in a voluntary church or neighborhood association, compared with 37% of U.S. adults.

• Over 76% of homeschool graduates ages 18-24 voted in a national/state election the past 5 years, compared with just 29% of 18-24 year-old public school graduates.

• Only 4.2% of homeschool graduates consider politics and government too complicated to understand, compared to 35 % of U.S. adults

• Over 95% of homeschool graduates were glad that they were homeschooled.

And these findings are just the tip of the iceberg! The vast majority of homeschoolers are content, know the value of hard work, and want to homeschool their own kids.

Additionally, college recruiters often seek out homeschooled students. “Admission officers at Stanford University think they are seeing an unusually high occurrence of a key ingredient, which they term ‘intellectually vitality,’ in homeschool graduates” (Worldwide Guide, page 71).

http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0,1703, A%253D161130%2526M%253D200128,00.html

I've read the above from various sources over the years - even mainstream publications such as Reader's Digest. The bottom line is: Homeschooling works. AND, yes, your child can be properly socialized!

(oh, and before I talk more about socialization here's an interesting little tidbit on how shows like Dr. Phil operate: http://localhs.com/scuttle/2006/10/great-school-debate.asp Be sure to read it if you intend to watch the Dr. Phil Oct 27th show on homeschooling)

More info on socialization: http://www.nhen.org/nhen/pov/editors/default.asp?id=158
http://www.hslda.org/research/ray2003/Socialization.asp
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/socialization/
and the best one yet:
http://www.excellenceineducation.com/socialization.php

Now, none of this is meant to put down those who attended traditional school or choose to send their kids to traditional school - I absolutely know it's possible to raise intelligent, caring, and successful children while sending them to traditional school. My goal is to educate people on homeschooling and to dispel the (MANY) myths surrounding this parenting and education choice. I'm so saddened when I get into a conversation with someone who just KNOWS that homeschooling is not for them when they obviously know nothing about it and don't have a single educated thing to say on the topic! They clearly have NOT done any true research into the topic. Isn't doing what is best for your child a part of being a parent? And doesn't knowing what is best for your child require diligently researching all of the options available?