Socialization
Note: This is by no means intended to be an exhaustive look at this subject matter. Rather, it is a description of why we found homeschool to be a compelling alternative for our children when we considered the issue of socialization. The linked resources are a minor, but relevant subset of the available information on measures of socialization in different school settings.
A helpful first step when discussing the subject of socialization for children is to identify some underlying assumptions. Inherent to the question of socialization is the context within which the socialization takes place. That is, which society is the society to which a child should be socialized? The answer to that question is beyond the scope of this discussion. Nevertheless, it is often possible to find common ground about what qualities are important for positive socialization even though the question of which society is the right society for which to prepare a child remains unresolved. Some of these qualities might include things like personal responsibility, civic involvement, kindness, a strong work ethic, or any number of other qualities. The important question then becomes, “What are some valid measures of socialization?”
Research
Researchers have, indeed, identified some such measures and then made an effort to take measurements. The work of measuring socialization levels amonst homeschoolers is just beginning. The Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) commissioned a survey of adults who were home educated. Of the over 7300 people surveyed, over 5000 had been homeschooled at least seven years. Some of the results of the study can be found here. I highly recommend anyone considering homeschool to take a look at the results of this survey. Dr. Brian Ray of the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) conducted the survey. There is a good body of additional research available at the NHERI website. The survey compared the sample population of homeschoolers to the general U.S. population on a variety of measures of socialization. The numbers for the homeschool students are taken from the survey while sources are cited for the numbers used for comparison for the general U.S. population. There are comparison data for several items in each of the following categories:
- Educational attainment for those in the survey between age 18 and 24
- Involvement in community
- Civic involvement
- A measure called the “Happiness quotient”
In addition, there is a compilation of the current occupation of the sample population. On every one of the measured items, the homeschool prepared students scored significantly higher than those in the general U.S. population. It should be noted that the survey was commissioned by a homeschool advocacy group.
I found several small studies that probably were not large enough to give a sense for homeschooling in general, but still ring true to what we have experienced in our own homeschool and the homeschools in our community. One such study titled Socialization Skills in Home Schooled Children Versus Conventionally Schooled Children by Koehler, et. al. showed that the homeschool students that were tested scored above average in four out of five categories of socialization while conventionally schooled students that were tested scored average in all the categories. This study included only 23 total students, but includes a good bibliography that can be consulted for further information.
Personal experiences
Bad socialization influences in the public school system where we live was one of the main reasons we decided to start homeschooling. We had a very positive experience in the public school system before we moved to the area of the state where we live now. After a series of experiences at the new school with the administration and teaching staff over a period of a year, we studied the issue and decided to change to homeschooling. I think our experience is not very different from that of others who have decided to homeschool. There are often specific circumstances that lead to the decision to leave the public school system. There is a brilliant article that I found while reading the Wittingshire blog that speaks directly to that subject of how the public school system and culture create such circumstances. No Thank You, We Don’t Believe in Socialization! is authored by Lisa Russell.
Conclusion
There needs to be more research in this area to determine how different homeschool groups and styles fare in terms of socialization when compared against those in conventional public and private school environments. I think a clearer picture will emerge when more data are available. So far though, according to the research I have seen and our own experience, children can benefit greatly not only from the socializing influences that are unique to homeschooling, but also from avoiding those experiences commonly occuring in the public school system.
Next: Academic performance