A Guest Post
At some point during the homeschooling years, the question of socialization comes up. Maybe you’re out and about with the kids during school hours, and people realize that you homeschool. Maybe a well-meaning friend or relative pops the question.
“How do you plan to socialize your children?”
While I always try to politely answer the questions as they arise, there are times I honestly want to bang my head on the table because of the irony of the question. Our kids are almost so socialized, it’s ridiculous.
Let’s Review the Meaning of Socialization {shall we?}
so·cial·i·za·tion [soh-shuh-luh-zey-shuhn]
noun
1. a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social position.
{from dictionary.com}
Our children do not attend a typical school and spend the day with a classroom full of children their age, but they do spend time with other children {as well as adults} in plenty of other social situations and learn how to navigate being socially appropriate in ALL situations. They have and continue to make friends. And believe it or not, they have fun and do not feel that they are missing out on life {thank.you.very.much}.
This past week though, something happened that really made me sit back and ask the question…
Who is Really Unsocialized?
Read More at Homeschool Socialization: Who is Unsocialized?.
I thought people sent their kids to school to learn academics, not to socialize?! I don’t know where I originally saw this quote, but it sums up the socialization argument nicely:
“If the schools were perfect, I would still homeschool my children – because it isn’t about school. It’s about families taking back their children and educating them as they see best. School is only a substitute for the real thing.”
Good one!