29 October 2008

Good to hear

The Rebellious Pastor's wife has posted a warm narrative on the infamous topic of homeschoolers and socialization.

I particularly enjoyed her musings because, when I recently mentioned the possibility of homeschooling our oldest, the other party in the conversation immediately threw "what about socialization?!" at me. This was one of my very first real conversations about homeschooling...I can only imagine that those of you who've been at this for awhile grow rather weary of that knee-jerk "concern." So thanks to RPW for presenting such a positive perspective on community (and such an admirable way to obtain suitable spouses for one's children :) ).

10 comments:

Rebekah said...

I actually think socialization is the most compelling argument for homeschooling.

Dawn said...

Indeed. We chose to homeschool because we don't want social kids. We don't like society. Neither do we like homeschooling. But, it's compulsory, you see.

Benjamin Ulledalen said...

I would rather be shot than allow public education to be inflicted upon my future children.

at public school I was socialized to lust, use foul language, be lazy, and above all to be a coward dreading what my peers might be thinking about be. Obsessing over what others might possibly be thinking over me made me terrified of social situations, so the socialization "concern" doesn't really hold water with me. Public school doesn't socialize children into civilized human beings. It breads savages of the most base sort.

Rebekah said...

Benjamin, if you weren't such a spring chicken I'd ask if we went to the same high school. :P

Consecutive Odds said...

We're thinking about homeschooling Mallory... when the time comes. The question I get asked isn't about socialization, its about academics. I always point out that I am likely more qualified to teach math, reading, and writing as I perform a measure of each on a daily basis.

Anan said...

I've been homeschooled my whole life and I started a college course this semester. The students enjoy using foul language and discussing drugs before class. I'm so bummed that I've been missing this socialization all these years! :P

Anonymous said...

I think both ways are fine. I don't think publics schools are horrible places. Homeschool is usually a good alternative.

Rebekah said...

Blogversary, it's an honor to be the paleocon in your life. ;)

RPW said...

thanks for the props!

Ya know, I went through Lutheran school before 6th grade, and public school after. For the most part, I was happier with my public education than my Lutheran one. But the Lutheran one at least impressed upon me that my baptism was REALLY where I received the Holy Spirit, and was legitimate, despite the fact that I was two weeks old, and that the Body and Blood are REALLY there with the bread and the wine. Along with the aversion to praying to saints, it meant that I never was at home in any other church and eventually had to be Lutheran again. Something I am completely thankful for.

However, in an attempt to be "better than the other schools" the teachers often taught material that was way above our developmental level. Some of the textbooks we had, I had again in high school. I was one of the smartest kids in class, but struggled with thinking that I was dumb because I didn't understand some of the concepts that were taught...that later clicked in when they were presented again in 8th grade. Kids who had legitimate learning disabilities were disliked by the teachers and their constant exposure brought about the scorn of the students.

Educationally, I did better in public schools, and felt more freedom to be myself and less exposed to the influences of peer pressure. Classes were at different levels according to ability. I went to huge schools and there were friends to find that were like me, and popularity was much less of an issue. I was less likely to become someone's vindictive target on their whim of the day. Being in a small class where everyone was the same age seemed to make that more common.

I did cuss, have sex, and embrace worldly mores.

My husband went to Lutheran school all his life, and was skinny with acne and until his senior year, when the school changed campus and many of the meaner people didn't continue, he really hated school, felt like each day was basically about avoiding being beaten up. And even in Lutheran school, sex, pornography, drugs, partying, etc. were all part of the culture.

What helped him keep his bearings were the values that his parents had, and that he had in church, where his primary social group was as well. He loved college.

So basically, I homeschool so that my kids can be challenged by the knowledge as they are ready to receive it but I see the beauty of the other aspects....my husband is committed to homeschooling because our school district social dynamics more resemble the atmosphere he went to school in. And we both see the beauty in the fact that both concerns (and many others) are being met in a lifestyle that revolves around our identity as a family, a real, not a contrived social group.

RPW said...

BTW...I wasn't trying to say all Lutheran schools are bad, only that this was the experience that we had at the ones we were at.