Homeschooling:

SocialisationIssues

Presented by Rebbecca Devitt

“Homeschooled children won’t learn how to socialise properly unless they

go to school.”

Issue in Question

“Socialization refers to the lifelong process of inheriting and disseminating norms, customs and ideologies, providing an individual with the skills and habits necessary for participating within his or her own society.”

- Wikipedia

Definition of Socialisation

• Children mix with all ages

• Learn from adults (not peers)

• Learn to socialise with family – Less fighting

Superior Socialization

• More adult interaction– Developed speech

• Teamwork– Chores, play

• Tailored character growth– Biblical principles applied immediately

Superior Socialization

• More real world exposure– Café, library, hardware stores– Follow you around

• Respect for adults– Everyone knows who’s boss

Superior Socialization

• Love authority figures

• Pressure for boyfriend/girlfriend not there– Respect fostered

• Relate to other children better– If they can get along w adults, they can w kids

Superior Socialization

• No negative social skills– Manipulation, bullying, peer pressure

• Socially accepted– Foreign, smart, freckled etc

Superior Socialization

So…Are Homeschoolers Unsocialized?

To say that home schooled students are not well socialised is an uninformed generalisation, which is contradicted by much scholarly research and anecdotal evidence. Home schooled students are just normal students, who exhibit normal social behaviours.

- Australian Christian Home Schooling <http://www.achs.edu.au/socialisation/>.

Resources

Australian Christian Homeschooling ‘16 REASONS WHY MY CHILD WILL LEARN GOOD SOCIAL SKILLS AT HOME’ (2012) <http://www.achs.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/16-reasons-my-child-will-learn-good-social-skills-at-home.pdf>.

Clausen, John A. (ed.) (1968) Socialization and Society, Boston: Little Brown and Company. P5; Macionis, Gerber, Sociology 7th Canadian Ed. (Pearson Canada, 2010) pg.104

Rebbecca Devitt ‘Why on Earth Homeschool’ (2015) Rebbecca Devitt Publications <www.whyonearthhomeschool.com>.