Homeschooling as an educational approach has been around since the mid-to-late 19th century but it has had a recent surge in popularity. However, it has led to some wider discussion around the question of whether homeschooled children are or can be at a disadvantage, socially or academically, against their peers in public school.
There is evidence to suggest that this is not necessarily the case but the idea of homeschooling raises questions around the social experiences of homeschooled children. This article is going to explore this issue in more detail, looking at different perspectives and debating the impact of homeschooling on social life and social interactions.
1: The definition of homeschooling
Homeschooling is an educational approach whereby children learn at home rather than in a traditional school setting. It is different to the concept of unschooling, which is a largely unstructured approach based on a child’s natural curiosity and interest to explore the lessons they feel they need to learn.
Homeschooling, on the other hand, follows a more traditional approach to learning, with core subjects like English, Maths, Science and History being taught, as well as offering additional extracurricular activities. Parents are ultimately responsible for choosing which topics are taught and how they are taught, as well as providing support materials and in some cases, assessments and exams.
2: Arguments for the benefits of homeschooling
One argument in favor of homeschooling is that it gives families the freedom to choose how and when their children are going to be educated. There is greater scope for tailoring the curriculum to the individual child’s needs and interests. This in turn can lead to improved academic performance and greater satisfaction for the parents and the child.
Additionally, for some families, homeschooling may be a financial necessity and can also be beneficial to families and children with medical or emotional conditions that make it difficult for them to attend and participate in a traditional school environment.
3: Socialization and relationship building
One of the main criticisms of homeschooling is the perceived lack of social opportunities it offers children. Socialization and relationship building are key skills and are often best learned in large groups in a variety of circumstances. But, homeschoolers may not be totally cut off from the social world.
Parents can not only be their children’s primary educators but can also facilitate valuable social experiences. Arranging activities like playdates, field trips, sports teams and online interaction, as well as understanding their child’s individual needs and interests, can give them the opportunity to meet and interact with people of all ages in a safe and supportive environment.
4: Self-consciousness, shyness and insecurity
Homeschooling may bring other concerns, specifically as children become self-conscious, shy and insecure when they are surrounded by their peers in a traditional school environment. However, it can be partially addressed by organizing activities with other homeschoolers and increasing the number of person-to-person interactions. Additionally, the use of online forums and other opportunities to participate in group activities through online courses, extracurricular opportunities or even online degrees, can all provide invaluable social interactions and help build self-confidence.
5: Dissimilarity and awkwardness
When exposed to a new environment and different types of people, children can feel awkward and out of place, sometimes resulting in them avoiding it altogether. Homeschooling has the potential to make this situation even worse, as there may be a mismatch between the children’s preference for certain activities or interests and the activities or interests of the peers in a public school. For this reason, it is important for homeschoolers to find ways of connecting with others and managing their own social anxieties.
6: Bullying and teasing
The fear of being bullied or teased by others can be a huge concern for homeschooled children and often the parents too. It is important that children are given the opportunity to explore and develop their social skills, as this will help them cope better with any difficulties they may experience due to differences in opinion or activities.
Parents can also help by teaching positive self-talk, reframing conversations and providing their children with appropriate strategies for dealing with negative feedback.
7: Developing independence
Being with their parents all of the time can lead to homeschooled children having difficulty being independent. Eventually, however, this may lead to a greater potential to be better independent learners and problem solvers that those without a homeschooling experience. Being taught from the safety and security of their home environment can also help them to better explore activities and interests, experiment with their personalities and make more confident decisions further down the line.
8: Peer pressure
Peer pressure is something that all youngsters have to face eventually, but it can be especially difficult for homeschooled children who are unfamiliar with dealing with it. The challenge lies in giving them the opportunity to make their own decisions, encouraging independence of thought and to develop resilience and assertiveness when dealing with difficult situations.
Teach them the difference between healthy and unhealthy peer pressure and help them establish boundaries, as well as a support network, that they can rely on in tricky times.
9: The impact of technology on socialization
The advances in technology in recent years have been felt in almost every area of life, including the way we socialize. Social media, video gaming, online computing and a wide range of other interactive digital options give homeschooled children the ability to stay in touch with their friends, participate in collaborative projects and explore their interests.
Online options also mean that homeschooled children are donating their time to activities that can be enjoyed with their peers, wherever they may be.
10: Balancing traditional and contemporary learning
Although homeschoolers are typically taught more traditional subjects and are given the opportunity to explore any activity they may wish to, it is important to ensure that they also learn essential life skills such as budgeting and time management. Encouraging them to participate in job training and helping them set goals such as getting a driver’s licence are all crucial components of preparing them for college, work or further study.
11: Enrichment opportunities
It is important to remember that homeschooling does not have to be limited to the classroom and that there are a range of enrichment activities available to homeschoolers. Just because they may not attend public school does not mean that they cannot take part in extracurricular pursuits such as music, sports or any other activity or hobby that may be of interest to them.
Through this approach, homeschooled children can engage in activities and develop relationships with other people and gain valuable skills that may be beneficial in the future.
12: Exploring worlds beyond the school gates
Homeschoolers, by their very nature, will explore more opportunities outside of a traditional school environment. Going to museums, attending lectures, taking classes or trips to public libraries all give homeschooled children the benefit of learning from outside sources in a way that would not be possible if they were in a public school setting.
They are able to gain a broader range of experiences and knowledge that could help to boost their confidence and provide them with a strong base for any future studies or employment.
13: Are homeschooled people awkward?
Homeschooling is an individual choice and one that should be made with consideration of a child’s specific needs to ensure they maximize their potential in all areas of their development and education. It is not necessarily true that homeschooled children will be awkward, rather they may develop different social skills than their peers in the traditional school system.
With the right guidance, encouragement and opportunities, homeschooled children will have the same chance as any other young person to develop their personality, discover new interests, meet a wide range of people and build fulfilling relationships.
Conclusion
The question of whether homeschooling will make children awkward is a complex one. Everyone is different and being in a homeschool environment may bring its own bonuses, as well as its own challenges. Despite the criticisms of homeschooling, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that for some children, it can benefit their learning and their development both academically and socially.
While it is true that there are potential issues regarding their social interactions and self-confidence, with the correct guidance, homeschooled children can make great progress and go on to lead successful and fulfilled lives.