When parents talk about home schooling their children, the most common concern is regarding socialization. Parents are concerned that their children will not learn how to adapt to social situations. Unless the home schooling parent decides to isolate their children completely from the outside world,this is impossible.
In fact, children who are home schooled have more interaction with people of all ages,
not just their age group. The average homeschooled child attends more educational
field trips during the year than the non home schooled child. In addition, home schooled children have more opportunities for after school activities,such as music lessons, sports, and hobbies.
Children who home school feel equally comfortable with younger children, peers, and
adults of all ages. Children who home school have daily social interactions with the family, neighborhood and the community. Because of this, studies have shown that children who home school have higher self esteem. Children who attend school do not experience real world situations, while homeschoolers are definitely more prepared for the real world.
The type of socialization that is experienced in schools is often negative. Large school settings harbor conformity, teasing, bullying, defiant behavior, popularity contests, and competition.
No wonder homeschooled children have higher self esteem; children at home are learning kindness, patience, sharing, respect, and understanding. These home schooled children are not exposed to peer influences which foster peer dependency. Peer dependent children show diminished positive socialization, such as self-worth, confidence, reverence for their parents, and trust in peers. Although homeschool children may play with other children in the neighborhood and experience this peer dependence, strong morals and values are being taught at home that override these negative experiences.
Homeschooled children learn to listen to their own instincts and let that guide them to make their own decisions. Conforming to a peer social group that does not value individuality does not foster independent thinking, which is necessary for a successful life.
