“Oh, you homeschool your children? Aren’t you worried about socialization?”
For those of you who have been homeschooling your children for years and have found that they are well adjusted and loving individuals such a question can actually be quite irritating. There is an assumption that children who are homeschooled are unable to mix well with other children their own age. This is a modern age myth related to homeschooling which, like all myths, is false .
They may not be competitive and aggressive but…
Most homeschool students are not used to competing with peers on a regular basis. This makes them less aggressive, and honestly speaking that is not a bad thing! Does this mean that they will be quite and meek and never learn how to be competitive all their lives? Not at all. The minute you put them into a somewhat more competitive environment, these children also release their natural instinct to do better than their peers. It is natural instinct to want to do better than those around you and homeschool students are no different.
They do not end up as social misfits
Till the turn of the 18th century most children were educated at home. There was no regular school that children went to, so everyone was homeschooled as a norm rather than an exception. Did that mean that all these people were social misfits? Not in the least. Even today the children who are homeschooled are not misfits. They may actually be more mature than their regular school peers and are better able to handle peer pressure. Is that such a bad thing then to be homeschooled away from stress and pressure?
Social engagement is possible from homeschool
Interacting with peers is not restricted to school, there are after school activities in which homeschooling children can participate. Sports at the local community center, learning a musical instrument, joining an art class, and a whole lot more such activities can help in the socialization of homeschool students. Even getting two homeschooling families together once a week for a combined class can be a good idea if you have friends who homeschool their children.
