Stomping the Stereotype
It's the inevitable question alright--What about socialization?
That's right. Someone asks me what school I attend, and I simply reply, "I'm home schooled." Inescapably, old or young, similar responses always follow. "Wow. Oh. Oh really? Man. That's interesting. How? But?" And the occasional, "That's neat or I would hate that!"
Home schooling probably falls under the list of most debatable topics. Especially when it comes to home schoolers and socialization! "What about friends? Prom? Graduation? Classes? Clubs? Grades? Band? Sports?" and it could go on forever.
Exactly define socialization. To me, socialization means the ability to hold a logical conversation with anyone, of any age, anywhere. Or rather, to get along with anyone, of any age, anywhere. Am I right? If not, please explain to me how spending many hours with peers of either identical or very close ages every day spells out being qualified in the department of well-socialized teen. Well, with the exception of a few teachers and faculty. That sure is socialization. Right? Wrong.
One thing that really gets me is why the fact that the word 'homeschool' is somehow linked to 'un-socialized'? I'm serious. Couldn't they [society] come up with anything better? How in the world did that stereotype ever evolve? Flip-flopping: socializing--school. Hmmm. Because the last time I checked, school was for learning.
It's kind of funny, but really not. Have you ever asked a non-homeschooler exactly what they think home schoolers do all day? Seriously. You might just get a good chuckle if you really know the in-and-outs of home schooling. It mainly comes from those who really are not in anyway familiar with the world of home schooling. Typically, anyone who has had experience dealing with home schoolers usually has a better insight. But, on the other hand, many are still prejudice towards home schoolers because they are simply uninformed. Yet, they seem to form an opinion based on the 'rumors' or mirrored image.
Albert Einstein once said, "Few people are capable of expressing equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions." I find this quote to be a tad relevant to the world of home schooling. And even to stereotypes in general. We call ourselves individuals, but who or what is the main source for our theory of thinking? Society. Yes, society evidently alters our justification of personal belief.
You might be ex-communicated if you dare to say 'on-liners' and other means of 'public schooling at home' are tried and true homeschoolers. Home Schooling is so much more than opening up a pre-designed course and following the guidelines.
We really aren't as secluded as some people presume. Besides the normal/regular bookwork and courses, I'd like to think that the world is often one major textbook for us.
Over the years, home schooling has grown so much to involve so many more aspects and opportunities. In fact, if you belong to a fairly sized home schooling support group, your choices of extras are far and wide. We do indeed have graduations; proms are offered as well. Many homeschoolers belong to several clubs, such as: 4-H, Chess, book clubs, and any personalized club that area homeschoolers have decided to establish. Multiple homeschoolers take private and group instrument lessons, as well they often participate in organized ensembles. Sports are very popular amongst homeschoolers. During my high school years, I participated in numerous team sports, such as Basketball, Bowling, and Cheerleading. Often times, the homeschooler himself is involved with the establishment of a certain activity, which in turn, kind of defends the whole socialization finger-pointing, because the knowledge we gain from these community experiences make so much more of leadership skills, especially with the case of socializing.
So, as you see--we really are not some kind of cult, put here to alienate children from one another. We simply wish to have another mean of education. Don't get me wrong. I am not coming at this one-sided. I've been on both sides of the fence and have actually experienced public school as well as charter school various times in my life. I am solely stating that this is our choice, just like public school may be great for one kid, but bad for the other. Same with home schooling, it works out great for one kid, but it may be terrible for another.
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