I\'m Summer, a mouthy, sarcastic bitch. I\'m passionate about natural birth, long term breastfeeding, and living naturally. I curse too much, love tattoos, and will some day be crushed to death by my book collection. I homeschool, dream of gardening, and swing to the left. 
Those Wacky Unsocialized Homeschoolers
Maybe I’ve been out of the loop, but has anyone seen a study published lately proving that “90% of homeschoolers can’t function in public”? I ask because earlier today I actually had to kick someone out of my house over that very claim.
An old friend stopped by to chat, and within 10 minutes turned the conversation into an anti-homeschooling screed. With all sorts of “public schools are the best places for socialization” and such nonsense. But what really, really, REALLY pissed me off was when I tried to defend homeschoolers he brushed it off with a claim that “studies have shown that 90% of homeschoolers can’t function in public.”
Yeah, don’t come into my house and look me in the eye while simultaneously lying to me and insulting my friends and their kids. Mama don’t play that.
I’ve done a couple searches and I’ve yet to find this supposed study. And he’s yet to return with proof, not surprisingly. You know, it’s fine if someone doesn’t want to homeschool. It’s fine if they think their kids socialize better in public school. But when you make up lies to back up your claims against homeschooling, that’s when I get mad. Either use facts to back up your claims or learn to bite your tongue. And if you’re taking it as fact because so-and-so told you then perhaps you need to consider where you learned to accept what you’re told as fact without any research first.
I called him on it and informed him that he could just leave and feel free to not come back. There is absolutely no reason to pull a fake study out of thin air to justify your opinion on something. Especially when that “study” is refuted by common sense and an ability to leave your bubble and actually talk to homeschoolers themselves. It seems to me that the ones who pull the “socialization” card are the least socialized people of all. Maybe it’s time they came out from hiding in the closet and entered the real world, it might surprise them.
When he said ‘homeschoolers,’ was he talking about the kids or their parents???
Kids are remarkably resilient folks. You can dump them anywhere and they do just fine, thank you.
I will grant you that, in my experience, homeschooling parents tend toward introversion. But recent studies of gifted children show that they do, too (60% or more, REAL STUDY, Dr. Linda Silverman, Gifted Development Institute).
I detest people who try to use/manipulate science to prove a point.
The facts are that homeschooled kids are at a distinct advantage in terms of self-sufficiency and self-directedness. Colleges love them (don’t have a study to back that up, just cocktail conversation with people on admissions committees).
This whole “it takes a village” mentality frosts me anyway. How dare they (anyone else, actually) tell me they know more about how to teach my children than I, just because they have a degree in education (or a 12 hour certificate).
Our ancestresses raised eleven kids, and schooled them all, in farmhouses far away from anywhere. Many of our founding fathers were raised that way. Obviously, they managed to function in public, at least long enough to start a new country.
The Mother\´s last blog post..Stay Away from the PTA!
Starting about 8 years ago, when I first thought if homeschooling, I searched the net for any research I could find on this topic. What I found was that homeschoolers do as well as or better socially than public schooled children. His claim is just ridiculous, and the fact that he would boorishly argue this with you is just rude. (It’s almost as if he’s unable to function in public!)
Elizabeth\´s last blog post..ElizabethScott: @ContestsGuide I haven’t screamed upon meeting celebrities, but I have made a fool of myself. I just can’t ‘be cool’, ask my husband!
You are so right! I would have kicked him out too! My kids have been in public school (3rd and 1st grade), because I didnt have the choice to homeschool in my first marriage. Let me tell you the “socialization” they have gotten has been 90% negative! The way kids talk in these lower grades is shocking! For example my Daughter being told this year if she likes bobble heads she likes giving blow jobs! This kind of crap in 3rd grade! Outrageous! So, my (new)Husband and I have decided to homeschool next school year.
I was homeschooled k-12 and my husband was as well. Don’t ever let anyone tell you your kids are being deprived of socializtion…they are so much better off!
I love calling people on this. I love seeing them sputter, “But.. well… I didn’t mean *your* kids…”
I always point out if they start with “all homeschoolers..” to a homeschooler, then YES, they ARE talking about THEIR KIDS.
Andrea_R\´s last blog post..birthday recap
Wow!! I was homeschooled and went to public school as well. I went to public school until 4th grade. I was WAY more social when homeschooled!! I was always doing something social. And you make friends with all ages not just kids your age. I could go on and on but this subject really pisses me off lol.
Lisa\´s last blog post..Mission Playground T-Shirt Campaign
One of my sons has a T-shirt that says, “The Revolutionaries Will Be Homeschooled.” I love it. Most people don’t get it – it is a reference to history you don’t learn about in school.
Jake Aryeh Marcus\´s last blog post..What to Do When a Woman Breastfeeds Near You on an Airplane
There is one unofficial, unpublished study that says that 9/10 homeschooling mamas are badass mothers!
Good for you, girl.
Cate\´s last blog post..Beautiful Like Me: Legacy
Asking people to point to their claim is a very telling tactic. I’ve asked people to give me a source for many claims over the years, and I’ve never had someone get back to me with the information.
~Luke
Luke Holzmann\´s last blog post..Imaginary Numbers
Is it safe to assume that this person was socialized by the public schools?