If we could only choose one skill for our children to learn—at home or school—I think it would have to be socialisation. What use is the world’s finest mathematician if they can’t communicate their discoveries? If you write the defining novel of the 21st century but can’t network with agents and publishers to get it in the shops, nobody will ever know. And great achievements aside, a life without a partner and/or a small but steadfast group of friends is not one we would want for our children.
Really love this. Have said that about school not producing perfectly socialised people before. The thing that bugs me the most is, what does socialisation even mean?? Like what is it that people are looking for? Is my shy husband who can't talk in groups "not socialised"? I still find friendships hard sometimes, am I not socialised?? What does it meeean!
I think what some people are getting at is how will these kids ever do what they're told in an office or a factory??
I'm not at all worried, I've never had a complaint about Cian's behaviour in cricket, Cubs, kickboxing or gymnastics and I think spending time in many different situations has helped with that. I'm also raising him this way so he's more likely to have choices in his future career so he's not in a situation where learning from more experienced people is an awful chore.
Some are just like my sister-in-law though who said "you're weird and you'll make him weird too!"
I'm seeing fewer and fewer reservations against homeschool since even a couple years ago, and the socialization aspect has lost a lot of its punch due to systemic issues in even the good schools. He frame taken in this article is correct, that compulsory schooling is the radical experiment, and homeschooling the standard.
Frankly, the best strategy in dealing with naysayers is to smile and ignore them. The people we need to incessantly badger are the politicians with actual power.
Really good points. Whether in school or not, children benefit from being taught how to behave in different contexts and how to deal with the, inevitable, negative situations they will come across during their lifetimes.
Really love this. Have said that about school not producing perfectly socialised people before. The thing that bugs me the most is, what does socialisation even mean?? Like what is it that people are looking for? Is my shy husband who can't talk in groups "not socialised"? I still find friendships hard sometimes, am I not socialised?? What does it meeean!
I think what some people are getting at is how will these kids ever do what they're told in an office or a factory??
I'm not at all worried, I've never had a complaint about Cian's behaviour in cricket, Cubs, kickboxing or gymnastics and I think spending time in many different situations has helped with that. I'm also raising him this way so he's more likely to have choices in his future career so he's not in a situation where learning from more experienced people is an awful chore.
Some are just like my sister-in-law though who said "you're weird and you'll make him weird too!"
I'm seeing fewer and fewer reservations against homeschool since even a couple years ago, and the socialization aspect has lost a lot of its punch due to systemic issues in even the good schools. He frame taken in this article is correct, that compulsory schooling is the radical experiment, and homeschooling the standard.
Frankly, the best strategy in dealing with naysayers is to smile and ignore them. The people we need to incessantly badger are the politicians with actual power.
Really good points. Whether in school or not, children benefit from being taught how to behave in different contexts and how to deal with the, inevitable, negative situations they will come across during their lifetimes.
Insightful. Thank you