The 'S' Word for Homeschoolers

The socialization question (known as the 's' word by many
homeschoolers is an interesting one. I have some questions you may
want to consider.
First, think about what you mean by socialization. What does that
word mean to you? What is socialization? What is the purpose of it,
the goal? What would be the best way to reach that goal? Who should
be responsible for it? Is it an acceptable purpose for a government
institution to socialize our children?

Suppose you want your child to learn French. What would be the best
way for her to do that? Would it be for her to send hours every day
with other children who do not know French? Or would it be to spend
time under the tutoring of somebody who does know French? If you
want a child to learn social skills, are those skills best learned
from spending time in the company of other children who do not have
social skills?

What is the social environment of a public school? Does it reflect
reality? DOes it not limit children to spending large amounts of
time isolated with their age-mates, limited to contact with people
their own age and often from a limited geographical area (their
school district)?
Are _your_ friends limited to people who were born the same year as
you and live within one school district? Do you desire for your
child to learn to socialize with people only her own age and within
her district, or would you like her to develop skills which enable
her to interact in a confidant, mature manner with people both older
and younger than she is, with people from many areas and walks of
life?

Are your healthiest friendships based on mutual interests and
personality compatibility, or on shared year of birth and district of
residence? Is the purpose of a public school education or
socialization? Why do we assume that public schools are the best
place or even an adequate place to learn social skills? Are social
problems dealt with in the public school in a way that reflects the
real world? Do the problems that arise reflect in any way the adult
world in which you live and work? What evidence is there that
schools do a good job of 'socialization?'

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