The Top 2 Myths About Homeschooled Children
Stereotypes have become so ubiquitous that even the most free-thinking of us struggle to escape them. Be honest with yourself: when you find out that someone is being or has been homeschooled, what conclusions do you make about them?
If you assume the individual in question is socially isolated or unequipped for “the real world,” you’re certainly not alone, as these are arguably the most common stereotypes about homeschooled students.
But stereotypes are oversimplified statements about a population. The main issue with stereotypes is that they lump everyone together under one label, thereby failing to account for individual differences.
It’s erroneous to say, “Homeschooled kids become antisocial,” for instance, because this statement implies that all homeschoolers turn out this way, when, really, only some do. What’s more, the same could be said of some students who attend public school.
An unfortunate consequence of stereotypes like these is that they deter parents and children from pursuing what could be a beneficial mode of education—for both parties. And this year, as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, an increasing number of parents are seriously contemplating homeschooling or have tentatively embarked on this journey.
In case you are still on the fence about homeschooling your children, take comfort in knowing that, according to pedagogy experts, the following beliefs about homeschoolers are unfounded.
MYTH: Homeschooled children struggle socially
One of the reasons that this claim is a myth is that it lacks any qualifying evidence in its favor. In fact, a study by Richard G. Medlin in the Peabody Journal of Education indicates the opposite to be true: on the whole, homeschooled kids tend to “have higher quality friendships and better relationships with their parents and other adults.”
The parents of the children in the study confirmed this sentiment, asserting that they would classify their children's social skills as “at least as good as those of other children.”
Such results may seem surprising given how little homeschooled kids may seem to interact with other kids their age—right? On the other hand, it might appear logical that homeschooled children get along better with adults. After all, they spend numerous hours a day, several days a week, learning from and speaking with a parent or instructor.
However, homeschooled students have just as many opportunities to interact with their peers and form friendships. Angela Hansen, a mother of two homeschoolers, states that, “Generally speaking, homeschoolers overcome the potential for ‘lack of socialization’ through heavy involvement in learning centers; social and academic clubs; after school music, art and language lessons; sports participation; and regularly attending field trips.”
At the end of the day, it’s up to parents to pursue opportunities for social engagement—and the vast majority do. As Dr. Patricia Lines says, “There is no basis to question the social development of homeschooled children.”
MYTH: Homeschooled children struggle in college
It’s also frequently rumored that homeschooled students struggle to adapt to university life. The underlying assumption is that publicly schooled children, due to their familiarity with the traditional learning environment, have few issues with said transition—a premise that many students who leave college or transfer schools would agree is fallacious.
According to a 2012 survey of 185 college students, which was conducted by Professor Cynthia K. Drenovsky and Isaiah Cohen, homeschooled students “achieve higher academic success in college and view their entire college experience more positively than traditionally educated students.”
Similarly, a 2010 study by The Journal of College Admission found that homeschoolers boast “higher ACT scores, grade point averages, and graduation rates compared with other college students.”
But why? Do homeschooled children happen to be more “book smart”? Probably not. Instead, the answer may stem from homeschooled kids having greater emotional intelligence. Several different studies have discovered that homeschoolers are largely “more satisfied with life,” confident and motivated, “more mature,” and have a more “flexible approach” than other types of students.
Furthermore, the previously cited study by Richard G. Medlin notes that, as adolescents, homeschoolers show “a strong sense of social responsibility and exhibit less emotional turmoil and problem behaviors than their peers.” Possible explanations for the emotional soundness of homeschoolers are their experiencing a lower incidence of bullying and enjoying a healthier homelife.
The conclusion is clear: not only do homeschoolers normally adjust to college just fine, but the emotional skills they develop allow them to adjust better than their traditionally educated counterparts. It is no wonder, then, that 96% of homeschoolers who were interviewed in one study stated “they would want to be homeschooled if given the opportunity to do it over again.”
Don’t let the myths about homeschooling stop you from considering this valuable and safe option for your children’s education. Always research the negative claims about homeschooling that you may hear and draw your conclusions from there.
Tiffany Sorensen holds a Master of Science in Spanish-English Translation from New York University. She works remotely from sunny Mexico, where she gives English and Spanish classes, writes educational articles, and designs practice tests for the ACT.