Any homeschooling parent has had to answer the question from a friend or family member, "but what about socialization?" If your eyes are already rolling, we know how you feel. It is a common misconception that homeschooled children are not allowed to leave the home but are left to grow unattended like mushrooms. Nothing could be further from the truth. The definition of socialization according to Merrian Webster is "the process by which a human being beginning at infancy acquires the habits, beliefs, and accumulated knowledge of society through education and training for adult status."
Parents who decide to homeschool do so for a variety of reasons, the least of which is keeping their children away from other people or children. In fact, the majority of children that are homeschooled receive more socialization than those enrolled in the public school system. Homeschooled children are usually taken on a variety of field trips, outings and, when older, have educational and volunteer opportunities. Most traditionally schooled children rarely have these opportunities. In addition, most traditionally schooled children rarely interact with people outside of their age group other than with their teachers, from a distance.
Homeschooled children tend to socialize with a variety of people in many age groups and frequently many cultures. Their parents enroll them in many extracurricular activities and if the child expresses an interest, they also play on their public school's sports teams. The idea that these children do not have opportunities to socialize is unfounded.
The next time someone asks you "but what about socialization?!" respond with an equally emphatic "that is why I am homeschooling!"
