Are homeschooled children at a disadvantage later in life?

Question

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Some are, some aren't. Generally the ones raised in very fundamentalist religious families don't do well if they leave the cult. If they stay and follow the rules of marrying someone within the group and having babies and homeschooling again, they never have their thinking or social skills challenged. Usually they have very black and white thinking and don't typically move into a higher social sphere because religious education trumps academics in every area. They have their approved materials, alternative science and books and are cautioned to not get "sucked in" to the real world. Those kids are actually brainwashed. If they leave, the entire house of cards collapses and they go off the deep end. (See "Shiny Happy People" on Prime and you'll get the idea. I don't entirely agree with the takes in one of the episodes: it's either 3 or 4. They paint with broad brush strokes and forget that correlation does not equal causation. Just a disclaimer.)

The ones raised by two involved parents are amazing and usually are superior to their public schooled counterparts. They travel often, experience lots of opportunities and do sports and STEM camps with kids who are not necessarily also homeschooled (this is important). Their parents recognize the level of commitment homeschooling requires and they make it happen, and recognize when they need help before it gets bad. These parents practice attachment parenting and also generational communication, so that their kids are comfortable interacting with anyone, young or old.

One thing to remember is that homeschooling is not for everyone, but many homeschoolers don't understand or acknowledge that. They would rather have kids who are uneducated than recognize that it isn't working for a particular family. It's a huge issue in the homeschool world. Homeschooling has become an idol instead of a tool, and that does not bode well.

I homeschool and was homeschooled. I could write a book on the subject.

DishLady · Accepted Answer

It depends.

(1) If they have the benefit of balanced instruction from properly-trained parents coupled with social activities (e. g., church, community center, gymnastics/swimming class, youth groups, etc.), then no, they come out just fine. You can even integrate them into a middle school or high school program without much fuss.

(2) If they don't have the benefit of balanced parental guidance and instruction is oppressively focused on one theme (e. g., religious fanaticism, etc.), then this becomes an abusive scenario in which case the child is raised in a restrictive environment that stunts their spiritual, intellectual, psychological, and sociological growth as well as their overall capacity to be integrated into mainstream society at a later point.

For the most part, (2) is avoided because there are increasingly strict standards in some states/countries about regulated home schooling, however there are still many reported (and various unreported) cases of domestic abuse revolving around this problem.

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

Not if you have separate socialization as part of your upbringing. Kids need to be able to play with other kids and otherwise interact with them, so they need to be involved in some kind of activities. That could be music classes, theater classes, a soccer or baseball or similar team, scouting, or whatever is relevant where you live. It also means after school time at the park or riding bikes with the neighbor kids.

Most home school parents also trade off with at least one other parent, so that both family's kids share a math class with one parent and a history class with another, so there are some other opportunities for socialization. That's critical to every kid growing up, and home school parents who don't socialize their kids are screwing up big time. I know some parents get that wrong, but most understand how important that is.

I have met quite a few homeschool kids who were very social and well adjusted, and a couple who weren't. The outcome is just as you would predict.

RebelinSteel · Accepted Answer

It’s not something we really have in the UK and I have zero experience with it. The bits I would be curious about would be subjects at 16, where they are more complex and require practical experiments and kit. Doing say Calculus, chemistry experiments, metal work, wood work. Then for advance subjects just before University, advanced mathematics, physics.

Then things like working in a team to work on a problem, something you need for real life.

Again, I don’t have any experience of home schooling, but for me in addition to the educational side it’s also the social interaction both positive and negative sides of it.

rosemilk · Answer

yes. major social issues. hard to have experience or get experience when you learn at home with all of the experience taken out of it. it takes a lot of effort to give them social interaction with kids their age. which is why it usually doesn't happen. this impact their social development, which is so important in the long run. this also takes out their ability to learn how to work in a team...

they also don't get much of extracurricular activities WITH OTHERS. just their parents... no sports teams, no school dances, etc... tho i get some kids don't want to do those anyways

Anonymous · Answer

Being homeschooled does not mean you are doomed to be socially inept. There are plenty of programs like cheerleading and Girl Scouts you can participate in as a homeschooled child that are not connected to attending a traditional school. in fact, it’s better for a child to be around kids doing activities that they are also interested in as they form longer lasting connections.
I think in terms of college, public school children in my opinion don’t succeed more or less than homeschooled children in college. Most people I went to school with are still working at dead end jobs because they chose to be social butterflies in school instead of actually getting an education. Possibly with homeschooling, they would have had better guidance with a one on one approach to learning. Some children really need home schooling, especially ones with ADHD, ones with other behavioral issues etc. I myself am autistic and would have benefited greatly from homeschooling as the school environment was incredibly overwhelming and in turn, caused me not to absorb much information. I also didn’t and still haven’t found much uses for the information I learned in public school besides how to be a good corporate employee.

thatshydork · Answer

I believe that kids who are homeschooled their whole lives are at a disadvantage socially and when it comes to going to college. I knew a guy who had an incredibly hard time picking his college classes and getting along with people who did not think the same way as he did or dress as formally as him (he wore a suit everyday) and he was homeschooled. I also knew kids who were homeschooled up until high school who were a bit socially awkward but had an easier time at college because of their experience at high school.

ForevrLonely29 · Answer

I am a strong supporter of homeschooling. I don't think it should be the government's responsibility to raise my kids. Also, private schools are unnecessary and too expensive.

Homeschooled kids can still recieve adequate social interaction with peers. There is something called co-op. I can also involve my children in a scouting-like program like Trail Life or American Heritage Girls (Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are too woke now). They are free to join rec sports leagues for youth or local youth programs.

dragoblack · Answer

That depends on the method of homeschooling. If it is controlled, conspiracy theory, or all religious schooling, they may be taught misinformation or prevent from proper & needed information.
Where on the other hand if they are taught with a teaching style that works best for the homeschooled child, they may function better with a higher level thought process than your average highschool graduate who was only thought 1 way that they dtuggled with. Plus with homeschooling you have the option to teach the real history with historian research papers, and give the child actual life skills. Overall though they do miss out on the social aspects of public schooling, but also dodge the childhood trauma of the social aspects of public school.

jennifer_bloom · Answer

I think a child who goes to boarding school is 2-6 times more likely to divorce after they get married, and a child who goes to day care instead of being raised by biological parents as an infant is 5 times more likely to commit crimes as an adult. A man raised without a father is 30 times more likely to go to jail than a man raised by a live in father and mother.

MicahRaine · Answer

@dishlady was spot on with her opinion. I'd also add though that homeschoolers who are raised and educated correctly have a huge advantage over their public/private school peers because A) they've had much more time to perfect the art of creating and following productive schedules themselves from a young age and B) have had much more time to learn about, pursue, and flourish in various creative interests.

Lynx122 · Answer

It depends. I think you could lose out on some social experience but you could also avoid some highschool trauma. There's almost nobody who does that here so I don't know the cosequences of it. I don't think I've ever met someone who was homeschooled at least I didn't know them well.

Tannhauser · Answer

Maybe 20 years ago I would have said yes, they'd have pretty bad autism, but most of the new iPad Baby generation struggles with socializing and basic communication so your child won't really be making the same kind of social experiences you did when you were their age.

Most American schools also are greatly lacking in quality of education.

A good homeschooling > average public education in my humble opinion.

coachTanthony · Answer

Absolutely not. Many people assume home schooled children don't have social activities when that couldn't be farther from the truth. I would argue they have more social activities due to being home schooled. Now if the parents are so controlling that they don't allow this to happen then sure but that should never be the case.

HawkPerception · Answer

No. 2 of my cousins were home schooled and they're the most social and educated kids, getting into universities with scholarships, graduating from university with honors, and becoming a successful writer and lawyer. I've talked to them and they're extremely intelligent and socially adept.

I would say if you have intelligent parents, it could be one of the best decisions for your kids to be home schooled. But if not, it could potentially put them at a disadvantage.

Jessikaah91 · Answer

They can do quite well, I had to home school my daughter for about 6 months due to her being really unwell and able to attend school in that time she was so smart did everything she was meant to but the only disadvantage I think there is, is social problems, socialising with other children.. which is a big part of life.

LazerBean · Answer

When done correctly, it gives children an advantage above public schoolers. When done incorrectly, they're about the same as children who were public schooled incorrectly.

libsaretards · Answer

No. I was homeschooled until 4th grade. I outperformed my peers, even in my weakest subjects. And the whole "social issue" stigma is simply not true. When I was homeschooled, my grandfather and grandmother took me to different places while everyone else was sitting in a classroom. The "socialization" schools want to teach is to teach kids to shut up and submit blindly to authority. Home-schooled children tend to be more independent thinkers.

Itsmeirem · Answer

Yes most of them. Socializing with your peers is very important for kids. It’s the best way of learning new things and adapting themselves into society. The greatest way to integrate into society is to attend school, where students can pick up social norms and get familiar with formal environments like social hierarchy and order.

false_prophet · Answer

Absolutely. Homeschooled= sheltered. Being sheltered has never helped anyone in the long term (mentally)

I went through some SHIT in my youth. Don’t regret it at all. Builds character.

(Also social skills, but that’s obvious)

IslaTheWitch · Answer

if parents do it in a proper way, they shouldn't

slatyb · Answer

That depends entirely on the instruction they received. Religious indoctrination? They are absolutely disadvantaged. They will be poorly informed and far behind their peers if they attend college.

Alli112 · Answer

Pretty much every home-schooled person I've ever met has noted some amount of trouble in social situations when they started being more involved with the rest of society.

Kelley1 · Answer

Of course not. Public schools are in effect prisons and indoctrination centers. How could avoiding that be a disadvantage?

LiamJHayden · Answer

Depends upon how they are homeschooled. By a disinterested parent who is doing the bare minimum? Yes. By a caring parent who utilizes cooperative education with other parents and frequent field trips a, etc., no.

Bestdia · Answer

They do, but don't forget they have the responsibility of fixing or completing their education, social included, once they hit 18... Parents are only so responsible for the lack of it, don't be lazy once you're on your own

standardguy · Answer

Home schooled does not mean isolated from any other kid but from kids who would be a negative influence fot the home schooled kid. Well done homeschool kids have a better srlf cobfidrnce and a more mature character.

genericname85 · Answer

i would say they get the big disadvantage of being less socially trained on average, simply cause they're less exposed to social situations.

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Not necessarily. They however have to be involved in other social activities and sports.

Anonymous · Answer

no because they won't be indoctrinated with lies brainwashed into them

Fedora_Tipper · Answer

No, they're probably more skilled at building goon caves. *tips fedora*

PeachyPie93 · Answer

Yes it fucks up your social skills.

SweetJoyGirl · Answer

No, not if done right.

HusamRocks · Answer

It will affect their socializing skills

TheSpaceGnome · Answer

For career no, for making friends yes.

paledreams · Answer

Hmm.  I voted yes.  Just my opinion

In_Trance · Answer

What kind of disadvantage are you thinking of?

Twalli · Answer

Possibly only socially.

Pterodon · Answer

I don’t think they develop social skills

noohair · Answer

I would guess socialization skills are less.

Guacamole409 · Answer

Not at all.

serious_miss419 · Answer

A disadvantage how?

Are homeschooled children at a disadvantage later in life?

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