Socialization, a word used both those who believe the pointy corners of potentially square pegs should be forcibly shaved off through bullying and intimidation by peers and instructors until they can fit into round holes. Socialization, a newspeak word used by fearful adults typically indentifiable by their strict lemming-like behavior and the deep suspicion given to anything they do not understand. Sometimes they can be indentified by their children who often are seen wearing only the most fashionable clothing while their overly busy parents can't even name their home room teacher.
Home schooling is just a family centric, personal decision. I know some people who do it because of their religion. I've seen it chosen because a parent didn't want to medicate a child with A.D.H.D. just to fit into a school system. I've seen it because a kid was kicked out of school and it was the only choice left to a parent. I've seen it picked because of scheduling (when the kid was a performer, for example, or, the parents traveled extensively). Heck, I've even seen it with a kid who was much too gifted for snail pace of regular school. The common thread is this: the kid. Parents home school because they care about their kid. Because they want to make sure their child has the skills and knowledge they will need to successfully navigate the world.
What a crock it is every time I've heard someone say, "but what about socializing the kid?" Just because a kid is being home school does NOT mean the child is being raised in a bubble. Home schooled kids are some of the busiest kids I know and the most challenged. As an employer of teens, the best teen workers I hire are those who have home schooling in their background.
Do we home school? No. We considered it, but it wasn't the best choice for us. Instead, we're a real pain in the ass to the school system and a few individual teachers. What pisses me off is the bullshit implication to the concept of "socialization." It says more about the person who says the word than anything else. My advice (not that you're looking for any, but hey, it's free advice and worth every penny of it): the next time someone asks, "what about socializing your child?" Smile, nod your head, thank them for thinking for you, since they apparently believe that thought hadn't occurred to you, and start taking very small steps backwards from them. Alternatively, you can stand your ground and invite them to think about some other things for you. Surely this person will be more than happy to entertain you by telling you exactly how you should feel about a wide variety of topics.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2006-06-27 12:18 pm (UTC)Socialization, a newspeak word used by fearful adults typically indentifiable by their strict lemming-like behavior and the deep suspicion given to anything they do not understand. Sometimes they can be indentified by their children who often are seen wearing only the most fashionable clothing while their overly busy parents can't even name their home room teacher.
Home schooling is just a family centric, personal decision. I know some people who do it because of their religion. I've seen it chosen because a parent didn't want to medicate a child with A.D.H.D. just to fit into a school system. I've seen it because a kid was kicked out of school and it was the only choice left to a parent. I've seen it picked because of scheduling (when the kid was a performer, for example, or, the parents traveled extensively). Heck, I've even seen it with a kid who was much too gifted for snail pace of regular school. The common thread is this: the kid. Parents home school because they care about their kid. Because they want to make sure their child has the skills and knowledge they will need to successfully navigate the world.
What a crock it is every time I've heard someone say, "but what about socializing the kid?" Just because a kid is being home school does NOT mean the child is being raised in a bubble. Home schooled kids are some of the busiest kids I know and the most challenged. As an employer of teens, the best teen workers I hire are those who have home schooling in their background.
Do we home school? No. We considered it, but it wasn't the best choice for us. Instead, we're a real pain in the ass to the school system and a few individual teachers. What pisses me off is the bullshit implication to the concept of "socialization." It says more about the person who says the word than anything else. My advice (not that you're looking for any, but hey, it's free advice and worth every penny of it): the next time someone asks, "what about socializing your child?" Smile, nod your head, thank them for thinking for you, since they apparently believe that thought hadn't occurred to you, and start taking very small steps backwards from them. Alternatively, you can stand your ground and invite them to think about some other things for you. Surely this person will be more than happy to entertain you by telling you exactly how you should feel about a wide variety of topics.