Homeschooling, and a question

Novan_Leon · 10-03-2001, 03:39 PM

I am 19 years old. I graduated the summer of 2000, And have since enrolled at an IT training school, and am enjoying it immensly. Previously I was homeschooled through the complete K-12th grade period, and have naturally never intended public school.

Every so often I will get in a debate with miscellaneous peoples about homeschooling vs. public schooling, and the argument I most often find for public school is the need for "social skills" or the need to "interact with other kids in your own age." The only issues I HAVE had with people is due to having a hard time relating to modern pop culture, which is something I wouldn't necessarily want to change either! And actually I think I get along with people of the older generations BETTER than most, as well as the more open minded of MY generation.

Mabye someone can help give me an insight into what exactly they might be meaning by "social skills" and such? Or mabye youd like to post what you think about homeschooling? That'd be cool too.

Peace Out Man!

cowboy · 10-03-2001, 03:51 PM

Yelling AMEN!!! at the top of my lungs! Finally someone else understands! I totally agree with everything you said. I have zero problems relating to young persons my age, and I'm much better talking to adults than 90% of the public schoolers I know. One of my Dad's coworkers where we used to live was a big advocate of the public school system, and his kids had the WORST social skills. They would NEVER talk to adults, they had no more than four or five real friends, and no one wanted to be around them. Some product of the wonderful public school system. And that's a bunch of bull hockey that people say about homeschoolers being weird, and socially "retarded." I have a lot of homeschool friends that are very conservative, but very normal (pretty good looking girls too). Don't let anyone get you down about being homschooled. I'm gonna homeschool my kids when I have them (many years from now).
Grace be with you,
Josh

perhaps · 10-03-2001, 04:02 PM

i'm just gonna back up public schools (w/out bashing home schooling)

-public allows you to witness to people
-it HAS helped me to become WAY more open in front of people
-ive made so many diverse friends
-(including one that was a Christian and i eventually became a Christian from that [curiousity]....)
-fellowship with others
-compare study work with peers (and work in groups and force yourself to give presentations)
-SCHOOL SPIRIT IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!

Maybe you can find alternatives to these that work great for you and i'm glad for that! But IN MY PARTICULAR CASE, public school was the better choice

GMartin2R · 10-03-2001, 05:26 PM

Okay well back to the home-schooled side

I've been home schooled since 2nd grade and have never felt like going back. My folks ran into the same argument about "socialization" but as far as I'm concerned, my contact with the adult world will better prepare me for college and life then hanging with high schoolers who tell dirty joked, etc. Now I'm not bashinbg those who go to public schools, but for me I think home schooling is better. What helps is that I'm not a social person. give me my family, a computer with the net, and other activities outdoors and I could spend days with it being just us. I have one evening of guitar playing that is just about the only "socializing" that I do and it is with all adults that range from late 20s to mid 50s.

Now I can talk with my age group just fine and those who are younger, but being comfortable around adults is a big plus in life. I think anyway.

nestamanchris · 10-03-2001, 05:45 PM

Where in the world is this idea that public-schooled kids have trouble interacting with adults coming from (besides minute obervation)? That makes little sense to me (a public schooled kid, myself) unless you're coming from the stance that kids in public school tend to have more authority issues, then I could understand.

I myself have always been able to converse with and befriend people of all ages, races and ideas. I don't necessarily see a problem with home schooling. I don't believe it causes 'social issues' with the home schooled student; however, I could see where it would be a rather sheltered life. Maybe that's what the parents of home-schooled children want. I'll just say that it's good for some but for most people (not just looking at Christians, here kids) it really doesn't seem to me to be the best answer when it comest to educating your children (which I don't have and don't plan on having for quite a few years).

AznSkaterChick · 10-03-2001, 05:50 PM

I like going to a Christian School, which is sort of like a public school but everyones a lot nicer

(and yes i have been to a public school from gr.k-4 and high school will be public for me).
No offence to my parents, I mean I have a pretty OK relationship with them, little arguments here and there, but I just COULD NOT stand spending alllllllllllllllllllll day with them!

besides that, I can talk to old(er) people pretty well. Like my friends parents and stuff.

Novan_Leon · 10-03-2001, 06:00 PM

nestamanchris, we're really trying to make a generalization. And to tell the truth, for the most part I believe we are correct, GENERALLY.

froggee501 · 10-03-2001, 06:04 PM

put it this way: home-schoolers think that they are generally correct on this issue, and public-schoolers think that they are generally correct on this issue. Nobody's gonna win!

me, I vote for public schools (well duh, I go to one!)

Novan_Leon · 10-03-2001, 06:33 PM

Your right, froggee501, about an agreement not really being reached anytime soon, but I didnt post this thread for people to argue. I posted this thread primarily to understand what people mean by "social skills" and such in a case such as this.

(I could go on and on about homeschooling, but Ill save that for another day )

froggee501 · 10-03-2001, 06:38 PM

ei-yi, okay! i getcha now....

AznSkaterChick · 10-03-2001, 06:42 PM

social skills (to me): skills you learn by being with peers almost everyday.

I'm sure home schoolers learn other skills by learning at home, but there are certain "tricks of the trade" you learn at busy public schools than at home.

Novan_Leon · 10-03-2001, 06:48 PM

Cool! care to expound on some of those "tricks of the trade"?

AznSkaterChick · 10-03-2001, 06:56 PM

You can find out when the right time is to be loud and when to be quiet. You find how to deal with annoying people without hurting they're feelings. You can also learn that not everyone in the world is gonna be nice to you. You learn how to deal with people of all ages, young and old depending on the school (I mean c'mon, we have to deal with teachers (late 20s - almost 60 sometimes) older teens and depending on school little kids too.

The FUN STUFF you learn:
How to sneak out of class for forgotten binders without being noticed
How to pass notes w/o being noticed (

)
How to go with the flow.
How to get everyones attention.
What E.C. activites to join that get you out of class.

DreamChaser · 10-03-2001, 07:03 PM

Heya,

SkaterChick-

You can find out when the right time is to be loud and when to be quiet. You find how to deal with annoying people without hurting they're feelings. You can also learn that not everyone in the world is gonna be nice to you. You learn how to deal with people of all ages, young and old depending on the school (I mean c'mon, we have to deal with teachers (late 20s - almost 60 sometimes) older teens and depending on school little kids too."

I dont know about other home-schoolers....but I already know all of those skills...

realist999 · 10-03-2001, 07:06 PM

No offense at all to anyone here, but in my opinion homeschool and christian school = sheltering and denial of real life. Especially homeschool. This is not to say they are without their good points, but i think that public schools are the best idea for our culture.

Sorry guys! No one get mad at me please. I don't mind it on other things but in this case i totally meant NO offense at ALL.