Dr. Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute had some interesting results in his study, "Homeschooling Grows Up." While "socialization" wasn't directly measured, some of its effects were. We picture the "unsocialized" as social misfits, unhappy and unable to make friends. But adults who were homeschooled see life in a postive light and are active and engaged in their communities. 71% are active in some community service activity as opposed ot 37% of the average population. They are more than twice as likely to describe themselves as "very happy," and almost twice as happy to find life "exciting." The only category in which the general population "outscored" homeschoolers was in reading the newspaper.
Maybe that's why they are happier : )
Hi, Spunky!
I know you are on vacation for a bit, but just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. I find myself linking to you OFTEN.
May God bless you for taking the time to share what you are discovering.
Deb
um, twice as likely to find life exciting. Not twice as happy to find life exciting. Guess I was just too happy that my children should turn out so happy : )
As a homeschooler, I never lacked socially! LOL I found myself busier than even many public and private schooled friends. I took a few classes at a local Christian school, and while I enjoyed it immensely, I found that I would rather be homeschooled - so after a couple of ears of the part-time classes, I chose to only homeschool my senior year. How glad I am that's the route I went! 
Spunky,
I think you are exactly right about teaching them how to behave in different situations. I think it is important to even give them the words to say.
I started teaching Thomas to introduce himself ("Hi! I'm Thomas. What's your name?") when he was a bitty boy and he does it automatically now. I think knowing exactly what to say has allowed him to feel quite comfortable in meeting new people.
ANd that's just one example. I think it is easy for us adults to forget how much our children DON'T know. We have to tell them what to expect and what is expected of them.
Thanks for putting my only real concern to rest. I can't tell you how useful this blog has been to me, even though my little student is only two years old right now, and homeschooling hasn't really begun. Keep up the great work, Spunky!
You're very welcome Daisy. I'm glad to put some of your worries to rest. By the way, for a little perspective on when homeschooling begins you may enjoy this post,
http://spunkyhomeschool.blogspot...pen-
letter.html
It's something I wrote to my daughters to help prepare them for their first day of homeschooling.
Excellent post! I especially loved what you wrote about schools putting the cart before the horse, tossing them into a classroom and expecting them to develop social skills without first teaching them *how.*
I had a total stranger (who happened to be a home schooling mom) approach me, at a wildlife education event last year, and ask whether I home schooled. When I said I did, she told her husband, "See, I told you!" LOL! She said she had recognized it because my older daughter seemed so confident and comfortable talking with adults. For some reason society thinks that a child becoming uncomfortable relating to anyone except same age peers "properly socialized."
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