Socialization may well be the single most important aspect of education today. With high and rising rates of divorce, drug abuse, youth violence, a...
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Oct 10, 2008
Krystal
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Makes the point that home schooled children are often "better" socialized than their conventionally schooled counterparts, with less problem behaviors, equal levels of self-esteem (at least), and higher maturity levels. She points out that most people who ask, "But what about socialization" have a fundamental misunderstanding of what home school actually is, and what it isn't. It isn't just school at home, it's much more, and involves lots of opportunities for "socializa
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Sep 14, 2009
Caterina
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Preface -- Hardest thing about discussing homeschooling with others is the "socialization" question, which has as its subtext the assumption that you are handicapping your children by keeping them out of school.
- First the book discusses what homeschooling generally is, and how it's generally not kids sitting at desks learning from their mother standing at a chalkboard, but more varied, social and out-of-the-house.
- "It is no measure of health to be well ad More...
- First the book discusses what homeschooling generally is, and how it's generally not kids sitting at desks learning from their mother standing at a chalkboard, but more varied, social and out-of-the-house.
- "It is no measure of health to be well ad More...
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Feb 26, 2009
Aoife
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I was looking forward to this book, but it was really disappointing. The problem was that the author set her sights too low. The point--that homeschooled kids aren't just a bunch of hermits, and that socialization can happen without school--was pretty easy to establish, and then after that was done the author just kept running around in circles. There were lots of laundry lists, some as long as most of a full page, enumerating all the things a homeschooled child could do other than sit at home.
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Feb 23, 2011
Raven
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As someone who is considering homeschooling, I found this book very interesting. The issue of "socialization" always comes up in conversations about homeschooling and Gathercole does a good job pointing out the ways that homeschoolers may actually be better (or as adequately) "socialized" than children in traditional school settings. She's pretty repetitive and I ended up skimming over a lot because I felt like I got the point. She also tries to appeal to everyone a little to
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Jan 16, 2009
Danielle
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I found this book to be very repetitive. It would have made an excellent research paper or essay, but as a book it was tiring to get through. That being said it is a thorough discussion of the many social benefits to homeschooling. Most parents who choose to homeschool know that this is the question on the minds everyone else. Will your child be weird, will they be able to fit in to the real world, and will they have friends? I didn't find any new info in it personally, and felt that Famil
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Mar 01, 2011
Emily
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Systematically covers every conceivable angle of the "socialization" of homeschoolers, neatly debunks myths and misinformation and provides convincing arguments for the advantages of a "socialization" that is more home, community, and family-centered than that available at public school. Particularly for my ADHD child who has difficulty in many social situations, the "socialization" he received when associated with dozens of his peers all at once was not particular
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Apr 01, 2011
Karla
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This book tackles the most common and pesky question that homeschoolers answer: "But what about socialization?" It examines the assumptions that underlie this question, namely that school=socialization. It points to the various social benefits that homeschooling affords, drawing on ample qualitative research with homeschooling parents and students who show that they've learned to function well in society, while also developing strong family bonds, retaining their inherent love of learn
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Jul 06, 2010
Janaleefish
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LOVED this book. Anyone unwilling or hesitant to homeschool because of the fear that their kids will lack in social skills MUST read this book. It tackles all the concerns about socialization in Homeschooling. I worry about isolating my kids from the world in attempts to shelter them, but this book gives great knowledge and arguments for the benefits of socializing in homeschool families. It also has great ideas for providing oportunities for their kids to interact with others. I feel much bett
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May 31, 2011
AnnaMay
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I gleaned so much from this book!
The question: "Yeah, but how will they get the socialization they need?" always perplexed me. This book set my mind at ease in regards to my children an how they will end up. I was able to see what steps I should take to give my kids the opportunities they need in life. I like the quotes shared by other kids who have been homeschooled.
A key point the book made: There are 'good' and 'bad' in all realms and types of school More...
The question: "Yeah, but how will they get the socialization they need?" always perplexed me. This book set my mind at ease in regards to my children an how they will end up. I was able to see what steps I should take to give my kids the opportunities they need in life. I like the quotes shared by other kids who have been homeschooled.
A key point the book made: There are 'good' and 'bad' in all realms and types of school More...
Mar 11, 2009
Joselle173
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f you've never picked up a book on homeschooling and don't know anything about it, this book will do an adequate job of explaining the "socialization" concern over homeschooled children. If you don't "get it" after reading this book, then you never will.
But for me, who is in the midst of researching homeschooling in general and whether it's right for me and our family, this book was like taking a club and bashing it repeatedly over my head just in case I didn't ge More...
But for me, who is in the midst of researching homeschooling in general and whether it's right for me and our family, this book was like taking a club and bashing it repeatedly over my head just in case I didn't ge More...
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Jun 08, 2011
Robina
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I genuinely enjoyed this book, but it may be because (based on previous reading and research, as well as my limited personal experience) I found myself "on board" with many of the points Gathercole was already making. But there were several things that bothered me about the book.
First, there was a kind of "the lady doth protest too much" issue with this book. I don't think it would have made less of a case for homeschooling to admit that one educational approach More...
First, there was a kind of "the lady doth protest too much" issue with this book. I don't think it would have made less of a case for homeschooling to admit that one educational approach More...
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Jan 21, 2012
Liss
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As much as this is written as a very pro-homeschooling point of view, the author makes a lot of good points, the most pertinent (to me) is that school socialization is just that. It doesn't necessarily prepare kids to be in the real world--how many kids _really_ learn their social skills from their age group? How many people go out into the real world and _only_ hang out with their age group at work, at church, in other social situations? When kids learn their social skills at school, they lea
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May 03, 2008
Elizabeth
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I gave this book only 3 stars because I already knew everything mentioned in it (because I'm already a homeschooler). If you are thinking about homeschooling or if you are "concerned" about a loved one's decision to homeschool (because of "social" reasons), then this book would be great for you to read! The beginning is a little drawn out and I wish she would have just gone on with her research and facts rather than give a summary at first. It also seemed like she was rep
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Mar 05, 2009
Lisa
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The author explains how many social outlets are available for homeschooled children, from homeschool groups to senior centers, allowing access to people of all ages. It's up to each family to see that their child gets time with other children their own age and of various ages. Personally though, the young child (under seven) needs much less socialization than we're led to believe.
This is a book to check out of the library for a quick scan.
This is a book to check out of the library for a quick scan.
May 20, 2009
Shelly♥
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This is a great book if you're looking for all those arguments about socialization that you're bound to get into if you homeschool. It definitely made me see though, that regardless of path, socialization is your choice for your child. School is just a place they can meet kids their own age.
I thought some of the information was repetitive, and some of the issues were irrelevant to me. But I did glean some great info and it gave me pause to ponder my own children's journeys.
I thought some of the information was repetitive, and some of the issues were irrelevant to me. But I did glean some great info and it gave me pause to ponder my own children's journeys.
Nov 29, 2008
Eve
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Great book for someone just beginning to homeschool, or a relative who is unfamiliar with homeschool, to read. A wide variety of reasons that homeschool can benefit both child and parent, beyond just the academics. My favorite portion was about parents continuing their lives alongside their children's, instead of "sacrificing" oneself and never having time for your own interests. Great reminders!
Mar 03, 2010
Tauna
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Totally skim-able. There is a lot of repetition. The book goes through different objections commonly given for homeschooling and gives some answers and different perspectives. Most of them I was already familiar with, but there were a few that were particularly helpful. Especially how they addressed questions such as will homeschoolers be prepared for the real world? Will they be well socialized? Will they lead over protected lives? Will they adjust well to college? Will they be ill-prepared for
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Feb 13, 2010
Angela
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I was sold on the whole point about halfway through the book, so after that the reading became a little redundant. Overall a solidly-written and well-researched discussion of the issue of socialization with regard to both public- and home-schooling. Also liked that this book wasn't geared toward religion and presented diverse viewpoints.
Dec 31, 2009
Jodi
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When I first started reading this book I felt like it was all about the Social Benefits (hence the title) which I found a bit boring and repetitive. After reading it further I found a few chapters and pages that really hit a nerve for me and drove home some feelings I'd been pushing away.
Jan 31, 2009
Alissa
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I thought this book was wonderful. I would recommend it to any parent.The author offered wonderful insight and debatable points about homeschooling. I wish I would have read it before putting my daughter in public school. It helped to contribute to my decision to home school.
Nov 05, 2010
Afton
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Not impressed. A couple of other homeschooling books that I've read addressed socialization in a chapter or less and in this book I didn't learn anything new about socialization at all. The author repeated herself so much I ended up just skimming over the book by the time I was halfway through. I'm positive I didn't miss anything important. She bring up good points, but I think if she had focused her attention and efforts she could have written one very profound and amazing chapter and cover
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Aug 25, 2009
Ami
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"The Well-Adjusted Child" is not a book for people who want to know all about homeschooling. This book focuses on only one aspect to the decision to homeschool: will my child be socialized?
Gathercole makes a good argument for debunking the myths surrounding the social aspects of homeschooling. Contrary to urban legends, homeschooled children make good friends, know how to act in public, and learn how to get along in the outside world. However, the author goes on to make More...
Gathercole makes a good argument for debunking the myths surrounding the social aspects of homeschooling. Contrary to urban legends, homeschooled children make good friends, know how to act in public, and learn how to get along in the outside world. However, the author goes on to make More...
Nov 09, 2010
Adrian
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This book put into words some of the things that Spencer and I have been feeling about why we want to homeschool but hadn't framed in coherent thought. Not of interest to people who are not interested in homeschooling, though.
Oct 14, 2010
WHY: For me, it's preaching to the choir, since one of the main reasons I'm homeschooling is *because* of the social benefits. But as a friend said, it's a book that can go on the loaner shelf for sceptical friends and family.
Apr 18, 2010
Beth
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Presents a good case for why homeschooled children are often just as well, or even better, socialized than traditionally schooled children. Could have been better organized however and the content was frequently repetitive.
Aug 28, 2011
Lynette
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This was a GREAT book covering those myths of poor socialization in the area of homeschool. It was so valuable to me to see the options that others have done that have really worked for them.
Jan 10, 2012
Liz
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It offers a great way to answer the "socialization" question, as well as help to strengthen my own reasons for wanting to homeschool my children. Who defines "socialization" anyway?
Feb 17, 2011
Candace
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What is a well-adjusted child (or adult)? I thought it would be interesting to see what is established in print on that. She articulated some good points. --good food for thought.
Oct 12, 2010
Becky
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Bought it to bolster my arguments in the face of naysaying family members. It's got a place on my loaner shelf for grandparents.
Mar 04, 2009
why: On Lisa's shelves. This addresses the first question almost everyone asks when you say you're going to homeschool.
