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 to home school for the same reasons, many of those for reasons are not associated with religion or faith in their higher power. Home school is an education that offers it's students a vast and diverse subjects to be studied and ways to study them. They are not forced to learn one way of thinking, indoctrinated into the "this is the only way it could be" that traditional schools sometimes try to do to it's students. Home schooled students learn to think for themselves, form their own opinions and ideas. Traditional students can do this, too, when their families reinforce the notion that not everything in a text book is law. Home schooled students are taught a broad range of subjects - math, science, literature, all the subjects traditional schools teach. It is true, home schooling parents put their "spin" on these subjects, so do teachers in traditional schools. I recall one history teacher who believed all history to be fact and not the perception of the person who was recording the events. He didn't have an answer when a student mentioned that different historians recorded the same events in different manners, even having facts and dates that differed. As a Christian home schooling family, we teach both Creationism and the theory of evolution. We want our daughter to know both sides, form her own opinion, and be able to explain (not argue) that opinion. Then again, we do not consider ourselves to be religious; we believe in a having a relationship with God, not having a religion.
More hype concerning home schooling is that home schooled are incredibly gifted or advanced - go on to earn their PhDs before most children graduate from high school, cure diseases, and write the great American novel. Home schooling zealots (fanatics) preach that home schooling, opposed to traditional schooling is the only way to produce the super intelligent over-achiever.
The truth is that home schooled children vary in their abilities and skills just as much as those who are attend traditional schools. Yes, many of the finalists for the National Spelling Bee are being home schooled and many start college earlier than most, but those are only the rare students. Many of home schooled students are developmentally, academically, and physically challenged. Just as in traditional schools, home schooled children struggle in certain areas and excel in others. Those finalists of the National Spelling Bee may be several grade levels behind in math or science; spelling just happens to an area they excel in or happen to enjoy. Because home schooling is generally a student-paced learning environment, students are able advance according to their specific needs - eventually catching up on those subjects they find challenging. This is not available in traditional learning environments. "No child left behind" has all but guaranteed students receive the lowest acceptable level of education.
Home schoolers aren't prepared for college is also hype. Those who say home schooled students aren't accepted into college and those that are accepted do not do well in college are misinformed. Many people believe that home schooled students are overwhelmed by the coursework that must be completed in college and the social environment it offers is also untrue.
Many students that are home schooled go onto college and excel in that environment. As do traditionally schooled students. Just as with traditionally schooled students, many home schoolers begin college with several credits already, thanks to the Advanced Placement (Clep) tests. Responsible home schooling parents use these tests to assess their children's progress and earn college credit at the same time - a wonderful way to save money on college tuition. Responsible parents, not matter how their children are being educated, take advantage of these "educational gages" and money-saving tests. Home schooled students usually have a clear picture of what they want to study in college; they do not spend several semesters asking "What do I want to do when I grow up?". The reason for this is because they have been allowed to study all the same subjects as traditionally educated students and pursue further knowledge on subjects that are of special interest to them. Because home schooling parents actively seek out ways to socialize their children, home schooled students are just as prepared as traditionally schooled students. It has been my experience that most home schooled students carefully look for and find friends that share their same beliefs (religious or otherwise) and ethics, thus making lasting friendships that survive long past graduation.
When questions like "How can those home schoolers survive in the real world?" are asked it only reinforces the hype concerning home schooling not being ready for life away from home is also hype. Many people assume that home schooled students are specialized in one particular area (such as the Bible or the fine arts) and that they can't make it in the world.
As for being ready for the real world, I must use myself as an example of the truth about home schooled children succeeding in the real world. I graduated high school from a traditional private school. I went to college, earning two bachelor of arts degrees. I also have additional credits for a third degree I am pursuing. I had a successful career before choosing to be a full-time stay-at-home mom. I should be prepared for the real world. Because of this, I should not have been on the verge of a nervous breakdown over a dripping faucet. With my husband out of town on business, I was plagued by drip, drip, drip. I had no idea what to do other than call a plumber or wait until my husband returned. Thankfully, it was my turn to host our home schooling group. I mentioned the faucet to one of the mothers. She called her child (who, by the way was socializing with other children) to her. "Take a look at the faucet," she told her child. The mom explained to me they had just had this problem and, seizing an educational opportunity, got a book from the library and learned how to repair dripping faucets. The child came back a few moments later to report the problem. After the meeting, we went to the hardware store and got the needed parts for the faucet. Her daughter (yes, daughter!) fixed my faucet. That nine year old girl (must keeping stressing girl, daughter, female, young lady, etc.!) will be prepared for the real world. She may or may not go to college, but she could very well own and operate her own plumbing business.
Education can only be provided by teachers with degrees, not by parents who may or may not have degrees is additional hype that causes even more bewilderment over the home schooling option. Many people believe that unless there is a degree on the wall that specifically reads "education," there is no chance that meaningful learning can take place.
Anyone can teach someone something. That is fact. Responsible home schooling parents seek out help in the areas they feel they are lacking. The resources for handling this situation are seemingly endless. Not only do books about education (home and traditional) help, but there is a network of other home schooling parents willing share information, advice, and their own individual expertise and training. Many times the curriculum home schooling parents choose have teaching helps and guides included. Sometimes it can be as easy as looking across the street to the neighbor with the beautiful garden. She might be eager to share her knowledge of gardening (botany) with her home schooling neighbors. I rely on the chemical engineer I met at my daughter's dance recital (socialization opportunity for my home school student) for help with science and the hands-on science experiments we do, seeing that I feel my understanding of science is not great enough to teach certain aspects of this vast subject. Fractions, not exactly my cup of tea, is taught in our kitchen. I can bake a cake and make a casserole. Thanks to a friend I met at a home school group, I learned this is an excellent way to teach basic fractions. For additional help as my home schooler advances in her studies, I will call on the chemical engineer for help and guidance. I even know other home schooling who rely on private tutors for additional help. Some of these tutors are specifically educated or trained while others are eager college students willing to help.
Deciphering the difference in the hype and the truth concerning home schooling can be quite confusing. Parents considering home schooling should make there decision based on the facts, always keeping in mind the goal of home schooling is to do what is best for their family. Not an easy task, but well worth the effort. It is, after all, a child's future at stake.