I found a new blog. Imagine this (emphasis mine):
Having it’s origins in the 1800s and having no accidental etymological relation to “socialism” and “socialize,” my first response to the question about socialization is that I hope to God my children are never socialized!
and this:
Now, I don’t know about you, but, as I see it, my job is not to render my children fit for living in a particular social system, much less to make them consumers and clogs who keep the economy going.
Not to mention her job description as she sees it. Then this:
(You may think that I am merely splitting hairs by making a big deal about the word choice between “socialization” and “sociability.” I maintain, however, that language and meaning matter. I hope to do my part to avoid contributing to the rape of the English language.)
All in one post. I always enjoy finding those rare but precious few with whom I obviously share something in common. A kindred spirit as Anne Shirley would say. See, how many similarities can you find between her general thoughts on socialization and mine?
[tags]homeschooling, homeschool, socialization[/tags]
Principled Discovery is a place to stop and discuss news and information related to faith, family and particularly education. Pour yourself a cup of tea and join the conversation! 
I love finding another one who “gets it”. Frustrating that I never have enough uninterrupted time to write a long detailed post using the good words like etymology
plus I think most of the people who actually read my site would be quickly scared away. *Sigh.
Me too. And Heather, you can always come over here and use words like etymology. You won’t scare me away.
Thanks for pointing me to another great blog. The list of blogs on my feed reader grows weekly.
To point to the etymological origins of the word and explain why I don’t want that for my child is fine, but it doesn’t actually engage the intent, does it? Most people, when they say they are concerned about the “socialization” of children who are homeschooled, simply mean, “Will these kids learn how to get along with other people?” They worry that homeschooled kids are cloistered away from interaction with society.
I would suspect that explaining how the word that these concerned folks are using isn’t the right word isn’t effective in answering the question. Perhaps you (plural) can simply explain how kids who are homeschooled do learn how to get along with others. Or am I missing the point? Is it that many homeschoolers are not interested in teaching their kids how to get along with others in their society?
Stan, you are right. Actually, Bourgeois Baby addresses that in her post, as well.
This isn’t what most people are talking about. I think for the most part they are repeating what they have heard because “socialization” is the big word that the NEA uses to discredit homeschooling.
I’m not so snarky as to begin an etymological discussion with a stranger. When the question is asked, I answer what they mean, ie., my children have a number of opportunities to interact with other children their own age.
But as a public discussion, I think it is important to really think through what socialization really means. Because the NEA knows and they mean it in the original sense. So did Dewey when he discussed the purposes of education.
I can’t speak for all homeschoolers, but I would say that we want very much for our children to engage productively in society. In fact, most people answering this question will point out how many opportunities their children have to interact with people of varying races, nationalities and ages which does not exist in the public school setting. It is that we believe that “socialization” is by its nature the role of the family and the parents, not the state.
Does that make any sense?
Christy, I know how you feel!
Great post. It seems to be the number # homeschool question. I had a cartoon made on this topic. See http://homeschoolinformation.com/FAQs/socialization.htm
One of the biggest blessings of blogging is the opportunity to meet kindred spirits! She’s smart, too…I just hope all of you with young children can hang onto your beliefs about the fallacies of socialization, because those beliefs will be tested as your children grow. If you can stay the course, it will be worth it—take it from one who’s seen it happen with her own (now adult) homeschooled kids
Cute cartoon, Robin. I’ve seen another one similar and it definitely makes the point.
Thank you, Barbara! Parenting is a test of all our beliefs, I think.
Thanks for the explanation, Dana.
So, it is not that homeschooling parents aren’t interested in having their kids get along with other people. (Good.) And this toss out of the etymology of the word is mostly for those who are like-minded on the subject.
It does give you the opportunity to point to the hidden dangers of “public education”.
Now, having endured both private and public education in my lifetime, I have to say that no one ever suggested to me that socialism was a good idea. But I took my kids out of public school when my older son came home and told me, “I learned the difference between a liberal and a conservative today! A liberal cares about people, but a conservative only cares about himself.” I said, “Oh? I’m classified as a conservative.” He changed his mind right away, and we pulled them out of public school as soon as possible.
Thanks for the clarification.
Excellent post! I get so tired of people thinking that home schooled kids can’t interact with others just because they learn “at home”. If they took a look around, they’d see that most of us do not stay inside four walls every day. We are at museums, nature reserves, parks, zoos, libraries, extra-curricular activities, “social” events, and so much more. I think many of these people either don’t want to see it or are just feeding off of the negative media attention homeschooling draws in.
Stan, I think I remember that story. That is kind of scary, really. I would have just gotten out the dictionary and read that. And I might have told your son to ask his parents because politics can get kind of personal.
I agree Mommy2Lots. There is a lot of negative attention, plus public school seems to be the standard. Without personal experience with a homeschooling family, it can be difficult for someone to form a different opinion. But as homeschooling increases, its acceptance increases so, despite those who rant about some kid they new, it seems that experience is winning most people over.
Because I think we are pretty sociable. : )
GREAT post (and really great comments too!!) I have been looking at the issue of socialization lately in my own blog. It is SOOO incredibly frustrating to me that the question of homeschoolers and socialization is STILL an issue. In a recent blog, I shared a thought my recently graduated daughter had. After observing alot of “antisocial” behavior in her publically schooled peers, she suggested answering the question “What do you do about socialization, with the question “What do YOU do about anti-socialization?” I thought that was a great idea!!
Thanks for visiting my blog! I have bookmarked yours and WILL be back!!
Hi Dana, great post. I have a surprise for you on my blog
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HeartnSoul/416233/
Dana, Thanks for sharing this post. Great thought on the subject of socialization… I keep telling people, socialization is not about hanging out with your peer group ~
Linda, you are absolutely right. I think a lot of the antisocial behavior we see in schools is a direct result of kids trying to secure their own identity. Something they do not need to fight for as hard in the home.
I know that is not an accepted view among those who think that it is more important for a child to develop a personality apart from their parents, but I think that is a highly questionable philosophy to begin with.
Denise, you are too kind. I don’t know that I deserve such a thing, but thank you very much.
Julie, I knew I agreed with you. : )
You discovered a great new blogger there! Thanks for passing on the info - I’ll be visiting there I’m sure.
After looking at Stan’s blog, I can see he was playing devil’s advocate; I appreciate his input.
Stan is a long time commenter around here so I would never question his motives.
But at times when we make an argument, we DO forget what it sounds like to the uninitiated and it is important to remember, especially when talking to someone who is innocently expressing a concern.
I have been asked the socialization question a few times, but I do not think most of them really had any ill-intent. They were mostly curious.