Social Inadequacy Caused by Home Schooling?

[billd1]

I have heard some people say that home schooling children contributes to or causes social inadequacy; that a home-schooled child will not be able to "fit in" and function socially with the other kids when they eventually do go to a regular public or private school.

But, I've heard parents who have home schooled their children, as well as their children themselves, say that when they did eventually go to a regular school with other kids, they had no problems fitting in, and functioning socially with their peer group.

I was not home schooled. I went to public schools from kindergarden thru the 12th grade, and it certainly didn't keep me from having problems functioning socially with my peer group.

I wonder if any of you other Shy United members have any thots on this subject, whether you were ever home schooled, or never had any home schooling.

(Since I'm new to this board, maybe the subject has been discussed on a buried thread I so far haven't uncovered, but if it's been awhile, a new thread probably would benefit other newer members).

[rukryM]

I'd say a home schooled child not necessarily doesn't function normal, but I'd guess that it would be more prone to isolation and not fitting in along with its peers. Since it doesn't know how it is hanging around each other in the breaks, or discussing a problems with a classmate, all those small but important things.
But if they've been home schooled and have taken part in recreational activities involving others they might know to some degree how "normal social interaction" works.

I don't know anything or anyone considering this, so I'm just theorizing. But say I had children then I'd definitely NOT home school them since I believe part of growing up is being around people at school and so on^^.

[k151]

For some, public school sucks at least as much as home schooling would have.

I'm still glad I went to public school. The history is important to me. I can remember specific days right back to kindergarten. Some good, some bad.


Home schooled children are shielded from bullying and things of that sort, which cause social problems. But of course, they also lack some of the social opportunities that public school allows.

[strawberrysweetie]

Maybe it can contribute to the problem, but I don't think it's a direct cause .

I think it really depends on the person. I'm a big believer in a combination of nature vs. nurture when concerned with the issue of shyness.

Because I'm by nature very shy, I think I would have been worse being homeschooled.

But I went to public school and am still EXTREMELY shy/introverted/inhibited...a combination of all of those.


I know a girl around my age (who was the daughter of one of my dad's coworkers) and she was homeschooled by her mom. I went to her house for a b-day party once and once to play, and she definitely was not shy like me. She had friends. I even have her on facebook now. She seems really religious, too. But she seems to have adapted very well...socially speaking, at least.

Also, there are outside activities that home-schooled children get to be a part of. I only know this because they've told me.

[audioalone]

Well I myself wasn't home schooled and I have severe social inadequacy. but I didn't go to kindergarten, so maybe my not going to kindergarten, and later having gotten started in "grade" school at the late age of 9 (grade 2) might have possibly contributed to my social inadequacy.