Social Education » Social Environment

Home School Myths: No Socialization” Myth of Homeschooling

Admin — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 16:11:45 +0000

One of the greatest myths that exist about the homeschooling phenomenon is that children who learn at home will not develop the necessary social skills needed for later in life. This belief is due to a narrow view of the process of socialization and a misunderstanding of homeschooling in general.

Socialization can occur in many forms. Sitting in a public school classroom with 20 other children is one limited form. In fact, homeschoolers have the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of social situations that a typical school setting would not allow. Homeschoolers who have siblings have a built in social environment in the family unit. They are able to learn communication skills and problem solving skills through daily interaction with their brothers or sisters. Attending church and/or a weekly Sunday school class also gives homeschoolers interaction with other children their age, in addition to adults. Children who attend homeschooling groups have interaction with other students of various ages, teaching them how to socialize with older and younger children.

The very nature of the homeschool curriculum gives homeschooling families a flexible schedule. Students are free to join groups such as the 4-H club, the Girl Scouts or the Boy Scouts, or clubs offered by the local YMCA. In fact, local homeschoolers can get together and can start their own clubs! What a great opportunity to learn about responsibility and leadership.

Parents of homeschoolers can take an active role in the socialization of their children. There are many options to pursue. The first step is to find other homeschoolers in the area. There will be a ready bond between homeschool students because of their shared educational experiences. Another step is to find out which clubs are available for their children to join. There were several previously mentioned, but organized sports can also offer a great outlet for social interaction. Many skills can be learned from playing on a local soccer or baseball team, such as maintaining a positive attitude, working well with other people, and being a responsible member of a larger group.

Taking homeschoolers to the local park where other children in the community play is an easy way to give them social interaction with peers. There are also many opportunities for volunteer activities for homeschoolers to participate in. Places like nursing homes, soup kitchens, and state parks are always looking for eager helpers. Being a volunteer teaches homeschool students that they are a part of a larger community and each community member has the responsibility to serve where they are willing and able.

The next time someone tells you that they do not think homeschooling allows for the proper socialization of children, you can just smile and explain how they are mistaken!

Education and the Pursuit of Happiness

Admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 09:50:04 +0000

Education can be a one-way ticket to nowhere with no refunds. Education, especially public education, cannot live up to the unrealistic expectation that it is the great equalizer between the lower and middle classes and the country’s elite.

Education does not create access and upward mobility in this culture–money does. The argument for education is that more education equals more money. For many vocations, this argument is dubious, especially in this increasingly oppressive corporate culture that does not recognize education because that recognition equates to more money into the hands of educated employees.

Instead, public education is an instrument of socialization and the pertinent question is: Who’s driving the school bus? In public education there is a hierarchical structure in place from the top down as follows: federal government, state government, local school board, administration, teachers and, finally, students. Add to this mixed bag the competing interest of the corporate class to create a social environment full of passive consumers, and it is clear that the interests of students are not driving education. If education is primarily for students, then it seems logical that education would be primarily determined by students. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Public education has taken the place of the Church and the government has grown into its pastoral role.

Most public school systems purport their responsibility to develop democratic citizens. This is a just goal. However, democracy cannot be taught but practiced. Schools should not be social incubators for twelve years until children become productive citizens. With it becoming increasingly necessary for students to achieve higher education to enter the workforce, this social incubation period has been stretched to sixteen years and beyond. Students are citizens and they should be given a voice equal to bureaucrats. We have seen our bureaucrats act like spoiled children; are we afraid that our children may rise up and act like adults?

Students, or children, can perform meaningful work and should be given opportunities to do so. In school children perform a majority of tasks that are only of use in school. This insular form of education disconnects work and value, stifles creativity, and, at best, offers examples of practical applications supposedly to be used later in life. Children are due dignity, though culturally they are often accorded very little. Schooling via curriculum that is only applicable in school does not demonstrate to children that their capabilities are valued and that children are, in fact, burgeoning adults.

Social theorist Charles Fourier adroitly pointed out that methods of civilization save in rare exceptions, employ everyone in a capacity contrary to his vocation. Civilization connects individuals to vocations contrary to their nature in order to perpetuate current systems of control, therefore limiting the upward mobility that education claims is possible. It does not have to be this way. Gandhi suggested another way. Real education,” he said, “consists in drawing the best out of yourself. This side road is difficult to see because it has not often been driven. Perhaps we should get off the school bus and walk for awhile.

By: Kevin Del Principe

public education pursuit of happiness

Homeschooling Socialization: The Greatest Conflict of Homeschooling

Admin — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:17:35 +0000

Homeschooling socialization is by far the most major conflict in relation to homeschooling. The problem is that, by removing your children from the public school environment, you are depriving them of the social development offered by public schools. After all, it would be difficult for a child to develop social skills when they are not given the opportunity to interact with other children. As such, this remains as a huge homeschooling disadvantage.

Is This Best For My Child?

As a parent, a great concern should be placed on your child’s social development. Whether they are in the job market or the super market, being socially adjusted will help anybody excel in life. While research shows that there is a homeschooling advantage (in many different ways), losing the ability to learn how to be social is always a disadvantage to any homeschooling curriculum.

This problem, unfortunately, goes beyond losing the opportunity to develop social skills, as children will also lose the opportunity to develop close, interpersonal relationships with other children. However, as strong as these problems are, they can be avoided by extending your homeschooling program to allow for your child to interact with other children. You simply need to expose them to a social environment, such as a public park or a sports league. After all, with all of the advantages homeschooling offers, taking the time to ensure social behavior of your child is a small price to pay in making sure your child develops as a well-rounded individual.

How Can I Start?

If you are interested in homeschooling your child, find a homeschooling resource to create your own homeschooling program. If you want religious teachings to be a part of your child’s daily education, find a Christian homeschooling guide, as many are available on the Web if you take the time to do a little research. Additionally, you can choose to use homeschooling software to educate your child by finding a program that offers homeschooling online.

For parents that feel as though they need to speak with someone directly to answer all of their questions, seek out homeschool counseling, as these counselors will give you the resources you need to establish your own homeschool. Finally, be patient, as creating a curriculum is not an easy task.

Remember, while homeschools do not offer the same social environment offered by public schools, the advantages are clear. Because of the amount of time you will have to spend with your child, you will bond with him or her in a way that most parents do not get to bond with their children: education. Additionally, because you set the curriculum, you get to decide what information your child should learn and what information they should not learn.

Finally, you will have the benefit of knowing exactly what your child is being taught, meaning that a public school instructor will not have the opportunity to teach things to your child that you do not agree with. Homeschooling is not right for everyone, but if you feel it is right for your child, then it would definitely be worth your time to look into homeschooling as an option.

By: Remy Jirek