by Emma Riley Sutton

Created on: May 18, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2008

The information available about home schooling is much like the many genres of literature. There is fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, and horror, plus many more. Parents who are considering home schooling must sort through this information and misinformation in order to make the best decision possible for their families. Figuring out what is hype and what is truth is not easy undertaking.

The fear of the lack of socialization very well could because the largest source of hype when it comes to home schooling. Home schooled children are socially stunted or lack social skills completely and they are forced to only socialize with other home schooled children, church groups, or children in their families are part of all the hype surrounding the issue of the socialization home schooled children.

The truth about the socialization of home schooled children is the opposite of all the hype. Responsible home schooling parents go out of their way to socialize their children so they are neither stunted or without any form of social skills. These parents seek out all sorts of groups for their children to participate. Community centers, library reading groups, 4-H clubs, Little League, dances classes, etc. are overflowing with home schooled children. Activities found in many communities are readily accessible to children in home schooling families and the parents take advantage of the groups. When such activities aren't found in their communities, home schooling parents often drive great distances to provide their children opportunities to socialize or they create their own groups. These children are not limited to only other home schoolers, church groups and their own families.

There is a lot of hype centered around religion. Non-home schooling families and those considering to home school their children often believe only "those religious freaks" choose to home school. "You're bringing up another Jim Jones follower that will move into compound, wear funny sneakers and drink poison," an uninformed neighbor told me when I answered her question about which school my daughter attends. She, like many others, have been told only religious zealots are home schooling families, possibly only teaching from whatever holy book they believe to be sacred.

The truth is the majority of home schooling families do consider themselves to be religious, but not all of them. Many traditionally schooled families also say they are religious. Both religious and non-religious home schooling families choose

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