Comments on: On socialization

By: Principled Discovery » So, how do I plan to socialize my children?

Principled Discovery » So, how do I plan to socialize my children? — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:06:37 +0000

[...] our recent discussion on the ever-popular topic of socialization, Stan of Winging It made an important point that can be easy to forget. To point to the [...]

By: Dana

Dana — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 23:06:49 +0000

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.

By: Jennifer in OR

Jennifer in OR — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 22:59:56 +0000

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.

By: Dana

Dana — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 22:35:41 +0000

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. : )

By: Julie@Shanan Trail

Julie@Shanan Trail — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 21:26:32 +0000

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 ~

By: Denise

Denise — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 20:09:45 +0000

Hi Dana, great post. I have a surprise for you on my blog
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/HeartnSoul/416233/

By: Linda

Linda — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 19:44:05 +0000

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!!

By: Dana

Dana — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 14:29:39 +0000

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. : )

By: Mommy2Lots

Mommy2Lots — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 04:18:14 +0000

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.

By: Stan

Stan — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 01:51:56 +0000

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.