Home School FAQ's: What About the Critics? – A Homeschool Q & A
Q. What do the homeschool critics mean by “socialization?”
When critics of homeschool use the word “socialization,” they are referring to the time during the school day that kids spend at recess and lunch in which they are allowed to talk and play with each other. Their argument is that kids in homeschool are deprived of this interaction. The counter-argument is that a few hurried minutes here and there are hardly a reason to ignore all the benefits of socializing that homeschool kids get with peers older and younger. Also, the ability to voice their opinions without fear of retribution from others is something the critics of homeschool ignore. They call it “good behavior” in traditional school for children keeping quiet. In homeschool, this silence is called “not participating” or “sleeping.”
Socialization is the big armored shield that critics use to beat back all the benefits of homeschool. What exactly is the fear here? That your children won't grow up with the same ideas of how to interact with people that other children learn in public school? That they won't be subject to the pressures to own certain material things, dress in a certain way, be conversant in shallow TV shows and movies that are made for adults? If so, then these could quite possibly be some of the best arguments for homeschool.
Q. What if it is close friends and family members who are critical of our choice to homeschool?
One of the benefits of homeschool is that you don't have to answer to mainstream criticisms. On the other hand, when it is someone you care about who has concerns, someone who loves your child, then you may feel like you'd like them to see what it is that homeschool does for your children. Invite them over. Show them what your children do every day. Take them along on field trips and allow them to see the great psychological and emotional benefits that your children gain from learning at home.
If it is academics that concern your loved ones, then let them read some of what your children read, or what they are writing. Have them hear how conversant they are in their own philosophical beliefs. Let them see how many different people your children come in contact with, and the number of skills they learn through the flexibility of their schedule. Not only will they soon understand why you homeschool, but they will appreciate the great opportunities that your children enjoy as a result of your choice – opportunities they would miss out on in conventional schools.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mimi Rothschild is a homeschooling parent, author, children's rights advocate, and Founder and C.E.O. of Learning by Grace, Inc. She and her husband of almost 3 decades reside with their 8 children in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Rothschild co-founded Learning By Grace, Inc. because "our current system of education has broken its promise..." Learning By Grace, Inc. delivers Internet-based multimedia education to PreK-12 children in the United States and throughout the world.
Rothschild has authored a number of books about education published by McGraw Hill and others. Her Home Education News Blog contains feature stories on alternatives in education.
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