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by Answerbag Staff on December 9th, 2009

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Are Homeschooled Kids at a Disadvantage?

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Answers. 78 helpful answers below.

  • by bagicide stayed 10 months too long on August 16th, 2010
    voted: No

    bagicide stayed 10 months too long

    I think the only people who really believe that homeschool kids are at a disadvantage are those who believe what they are told by teacher's unions and school districts who stand to lose a lot of money for every kid removed from public school. They want you to believe that you can only teach a kid if you are a "professional." In order to keep you believing that, they have to keep you from looking too carefully at how badly schools are failing, how much violence and crime there is in schools (some of which is perpetrated by teachers), how many kids are graduating high school unable to read or do basic math and how badly our country is tanking as a result. They also have to keep you from actually looking at any of the research concerning home school or thinking about it too deeply.

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  • by 23Skidoo on August 19th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    23Skidoo

    Obviously there are exceptions but in general, I think they are at a disadvantage.

    Parents need not be academically up to the task. I don't mean you need Master's in Teaching to teach - but you do need to know the subject matter. Expecting one or two people to know age appropriate history, science, math, grammar, and literature is unrealistic.

    Also, schools can provide opportunities and exposure to sports, labs, computers, clubs, debates, theater, bands and a much richer and diverse group of people - one more reflective of adult society.

    I think many home schoolers are motivated by their religions. Where this is the case they stunt their kids' emotional and intellectual growth as well.

    Parents need to be involved in their kids' education but kids need exposure to more than parents, no matter how ell meaning, can give.

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  • by troubled_senario on August 16th, 2010
    voted: No

    troubled_senario

    Statistics show they are better educated and have higher overall grades when compared to their public school counter parts.

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  • by Vaporeongirl on August 16th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    Vaporeongirl

    I was homeschooled for many years of my life and let me tell you that homeschooled kids are either at a disadvantage socially, academically or both. My mother was very strict when it came to academic things, so I've done really well in that department. However, she didn't allow us to socialize with anyone except other hysterical Catholic/Christian homeschoolers twice a week and it really ruined me socially and emotionally. My mother knew it was bad for me but she didn't care, and I feel like I was as victim of child abuse or at least neglect for that reason. However, there are other homeschoolers who take their kids to 1,000 activities a week and don't even teach them how to read and write. And there are others who both undersocialize and undereducate their children. Speaking from YEARS of PERSONAL experience I'll tell you that homeschooling is a very bad idea and only leads to neglect of the children's either social or academic needs in most cases.

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  • by SalientAlien on August 16th, 2010
    voted: No

    SalientAlien

    Are you kidding? Your own personal teacher, learning at your own speed, time not wasted by public school b.s. and travel, better social environment since you're with your family and not a random artificial group, more free time to spend with friends and whatnot. If the parents are dedicated I don't see how you can lose. My sister's kids are home-schooled and they're the smartest, nicest kids I know. They have much better social skills than many public school kids I've met.

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  • by SophSoph on August 16th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    SophSoph

    Yes definatly. I know that they have a disadvantage in being able to be sociable, but it's worse for the future of being sociable because you won't be able too communicate as well as some one that has been through school years. even though your learning at your own pace, it's still a disadvantage due too the levels of how your friends think and act and do things. You won't know how to act because you won't have the experience.

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  • by HomeSchoolCollegeCounseelor on December 14th, 2009
    voted: No

    HomeSchoolCollegeCounseelor

    On average, homeschoolers standardized test scores are higher than their public schooled counterparts. They education they receive is also tailored to their unique gifts and interests. It's a more organic learning environment, free of the academic hindrances that is high school peer pressure, gangs, drugs, etc.

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  • by prisoner on August 25th, 2010
    voted: No

    prisoner

    Absolutely not. if anything they have an advantage.
    they are less prone to corporate indoctrination for one.

    homeschoolers tend to be less brainwashed and are more aware of the world around them than public schoolers

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  • by ishala on August 22nd, 2010
    voted: No

    ishala

    hell no they're not, i know alot of children who have graduated at least 2 years earlier then regular schooled kids, as long as the parent or parents are dedicated enough to stay with it then it might be even better then regular school not to mention way cheaper

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  • by MsSmartAss on August 20th, 2010
    voted: No

    MsSmartAss

    I was homeschooled and have been for years now, I've tried homeschool, public school system, and private school and I can easily say that private school and homeschool was the best.

    Granted, some people wouldn't be able to take being homeschooled for several reasons (socialization being one of the most popular reasons), but everything needs ot be balanced and for me it worked well. You just need to make sure you have a decent program and ciriculum.

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  • by MvL on August 19th, 2010
    voted: No

    MvL

    Of the two arguments, the "No" argument was the only one with actual DATA. And the data looks good.

    I'm the first to not blindly trust the interpretations of statistical data. Statistics is often capable of obscuring reality, even lying. Obviously the raw data is a collection of facts, but the interpretations of that data might miss biases in the study used to collect that data.

    So don't I ignore the possibility that their may be inherent biases in the data. It's sort of like how, even though moderate red wine consumption may have health benefits, it can't be ignored that people who drink wine instead of beer or liquor may also frequently have healthier diets and lifestyles. The parents of homeschoolers are perhaps better educated, more involved, have more disposable income (because at least one parent isn't employed full-time). Any one of those things would lead to skewing of the data in favour of homeschooling. But we don't know, I certainly don't. The opponents of homeschooling haven't come forward with competing interpretations of the data. They haven't launched any competing studies.

    What we can see from the data though is that it's clear the children who ARE homeschooled benefit from it and are at an active advantage (not a disadvantage, not even just equal, but better). That doesn't necessarily mean it's better for everyone - but it DEFINITELY doesn't mean it wouldn't be either. Medical studies have made far more sweeping statements with less data (and often have turned out to be wrong). So until there is data or some reason to call into question the results showing better academic and social development in homeschoolers, we cease unfounded criticism of homeschooling, and at least consider the possibility that it's superior in cases where it's possible (obviously some many families can't do it for a variety of reasons, mostly financial).

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  • by Forbidden Snowflake on August 16th, 2010

    Forbidden Snowflake

    Yes and No. Like anything there are pros and cons towards it.

    As a shy kid i didn't like speaking up or adding my opinion, but i loved listening to what the others had to say in class. You get a whole range of thoughts and opinions which you miss out on if you are home schooled, those classroom debates etc.
    But then if you are homeschooled maybe you can get your thoughts across better without other people talking over you in class? you might be freer to express your opinions? and you'd get one on one help from your tutor/parent with any questions etc.

    Home schooling - you miss out on the social interaction that school provides, even if you don't say much it's still the "being around other kids" that is just as important.

    I guess with homeschooling you might not have to worry about coming last in a class test and that kind of thing. And you don't have to worry about bullying or trying to fit in etc.

    I think if someone is getting chronically bullied all the time at school, that home schooling could give them another option, a place they can learn without being hassled.

    :o)

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  • by Rogan11 on August 16th, 2010
    voted: No

    Rogan11

    Both can be good or bad. One is not perfect next to the other, it is how they are implemented. Both can be a viable choice that I believe should depend on the personalities of the parents AND the children. Nothing will ever work exactly the same for all people.

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  • by Anonymous on August 16th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    Anonymous

    It is, however, only a small social disadvantage. There seems to be a certain brand of insanity that can be reached by attending public school.

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  • by Charles34Wes on August 30th, 2010
    voted: No

    Charles34Wes

    No, they're not at a disadvantage. Homeschooled children actually obtain wider knowledge horizons, and usually do, because there are less time / logistics / group-determined 'classroom' restrictions. It depends on how you structure your learning career at home and whether you as a homeschooler give it your all (or not). I was in public school and enjoyed it, but I daresay that my children have had a wonderful time being homeschooled, growing into responsible young adults, while obtaining an astounding knowledge span. It amazes me that socialization is always brought up as an issue. My observation is that homeschoolers interact more easily with anybody out there, because they are less attached to an age-determined peer group. Again, I'm not an enemy of public schools, but in my experience, homeschooling has shown itself to lead to generally better results across the different academic and social aspects of all people I know (which for the larger part consist of public-schooled individuals).

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  • by MrJosh on August 16th, 2010
    voted: No

    MrJosh

    While there may be some merit to the idea that homeschooled children suffer a social disadvantage, if the parents are smart about it they can find other ways to socialize their children. I know a family that homeschooled both their children. They were active in the boyscouts, their church, our Taekwondo school and many other pursuits. They are among the most well adjusted children I know.

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  • by Topher on November 16th, 2010
    voted: No

    Topher

    I do not believe they are at a disadvantage... In fact, I plan on teaching my own children when I have them... Why? Kids in public schools (especially here in California) just are not getting all the opportunities to learn that they can... "But the social, but the social" is just the mantra of the kids and teenagers and the parents they have manipulated... I've always been of the belief that a child develops good interpersonal skills by interacting with other people who have already developed those skills, not those developing them too... I would rather my child learn sex, how to treat females, work ethic, maturity, determination, etc... from me and not kids who are still developing them... That does not seem like good models...

    As for the academics... A tailor made curiculum to challenge the mind of the individual student will always be a superior education tool, then a blanketed assignement given to students who either above, below or on level... It's either discouraging, a waste of time, or could be a positive (just to be fair)... Then there's "no child left behind"... Or as I like to call, "the greatest thing to hurt public education since the founding of public education"... Students are not even encouraged to learn, just take the test... Albeit they learn valuable test taking skills, but science, social studies, PE, art, etc... on the elementary level is almost extinct, and on the junior and senior levels is increasingly becoming so...

    Besides, this also supports the authority and concept of "the home" which is seriously falling apart these days... The more time a family can spend together the stronger the bonds are...

    P.S. As a point of reference, I went through and graduated through the California public school system... And then I have worked in it for 10 (almost 11) years now...

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  • by Temple Fire on September 2nd, 2010
    voted: No

    Temple Fire

    with all the dangers of public school ( drugs,Gangs,Guns,Knives,pedophiles ) me and my wife are seriously considering home school ourselves but at the same time we are also considering the setback of socializing that they wont receive either so we will see were we end i personally think the benefits outweigh the disadvantages

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  • by SophSoph on August 23rd, 2010
    voted: Yes

    SophSoph

    Heather_R

    we were asked to comment, not to get told what you do at home. Dont be so imature. it is definatly about having a social life. what you think u learn that at home talking to ur parents. pssshhh. yea right.

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  • by becca09 on August 21st, 2010
    voted: No

    becca09

    There is no right answer here. If the parent is well educated, or even has a basic understanding of the material, then I would say that in a structured environment, homeschooled children are better equipped for life in the work force. Homeschooling requires more discipline on the part of the parent as well as the student, than does public schooling. However, I believe that it is far too easy for homeschooling parents to misinform their children, because they are not properly prepared to teach.

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  • by BlueFrog on August 20th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    BlueFrog

    Kids spend enough time inside. It's time for them to be out their homes, even if it means inside an air-conditioned school...

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  • by BlueFrog on August 20th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    BlueFrog

    School is how I made friends, and having friends is a necessity in one's social life...

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  • by Fr Joe on August 20th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    Fr Joe

    Concerning Knowledge - home skilled children, I believe, are much better educated than in a Classroom. However, what they gain in knowledge they lose in personal relationship skills. I would imagine than when they leave the home for a University setting/life style, they would be at a great disadvantage. Simply because they have not had a great deal of association with other children. Smart, but probably lacking the skills to successfully and effectively interact with strangers.

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  • by Katsuona on August 18th, 2010

    Katsuona

    Socially yes. Academically, well that depends on the parents' level of willingness to teach their children. I am Homeschooled, I fell a little behind (more my own fault than anyone else's; I was pretty lazy back then), caught up, and am now preparing myself for GED tests.

    I get up at 7:00 A.M. (Eastern Daylight Time, U.S.) every morning, my studies start at 10:00, and end at 3:00 P.M. While that may not sound very long, I made a schedule to put in as much study time as possible with short breaks in between (usually just long enough for my brain to rest and be able to fully focus on my next subject).

    Being social WAS my weak point, but I worked on it and eventually got to the point where I can have friendly, personable conversations with total strangers (if the introduction goes well; wouldn't go as smoothly if the person, for whatever reason, judged me as untrustworthy).

    I would say that for a person my age, I've done pretty well to catch up. I still have a ways to go, but with my current schedule, that shouldn't be a problem.

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  • by Anonymous on August 18th, 2010
    voted: No

    Anonymous

    Perhaps the social part has been a problem for some, but that is the parents' fault for not allowing and/or setting up such things in a homeschooling lifestyle. I was never homeschooled. I attended public schools most of my life and was fortunate to attend a good private school for 1 year. The problem I have with public schools is that it's mandatory to learn things that may be irrelevant to life because the knowledge is not likely to be used. It is great to have all the knowledge, but there were things in school that wasn't taught and had no clue how to do once I graduated high school and got out on my own in the real world. I had to call my parents and ask where to go to pay the taxes on this and where to go for that. That is just one thing of many other things I had no clue how to do. Some may say that parents teach that, but they are resonsbible for moral values, feeding us, providing a home, clothing, and teaching us how to speak and read before we start elementary school. What time do parents have to explain to their child that you go to this government establishment to pay taxes on your house and it is due every year, etc. Sure we can pick up on these things by observing, but who would've thought to pay attention to detail like that from our parents? It was not taught in high school, though I had economics class.

    Knowledge that I have yet to use (I am now 32) is the aztecs and the myan ruins. I haven't had one single conversation about that and it doesn't relate. Again, I am glad we have knowledge of several things, but when important things that are relevant in life are not taught then the schools have failed.

    Mathematics? The only math I use daily and have used thus far is taught in elementary school which is adding, subtractin, multiplying, dividing, fractions, and basic algebra. Basic albebra as in I don't have any use in x, y, mc2, etc. In my day algebra was an allective and I chose not to take it. The next year after I graduated high school algebra was required to graduate. I feel that in high school specific career paths or interests should be considered and the student should take the classes accordingly. If they don't and later need that knowledge that they chose not to learn then they will have to take the class in college or self learn it. I attended two years of college so and the same uneccesary stuff is taught there, too!

    I wanted to be a Physical Therapist. I was told I had to take World Civilization and another class (don't remember what is was) at which I had not had in high school. Who decides this? Physical Therapy has nothing to do with World Civilization. It does, however, have something to do with math at a higher level I chose not to take in high school. Knowing this now, I still believe that is should be optional to take geometry and all the advanced classes in middle and high school because if you go to college that additional knowledge can be learned only if it applies to your career and life. Again, I am for people having all knowledge, but when other knowledge that is more often used in daily life is not being taught in public schools then I prefer homeschooling so that I know my daughter (we have one child) will have more useful knowledge along with the less useful, but still good to know knowledge (Myans, Aztecs, etc.).

    My last thought on this topic is I feel that as long as homeschooled kids are taught the same skills as in public schools and are allowed to socialize daily that homeschooled children have an advantage. However, it is up to the parents whether this will be successful. I have met kids in high school whos parents told taught them to be bullies, to smoke, to cuss, to dress provocative, etc. When these lack of values are combined in homeschooling then it is better to be in public schools where there is a variety of people that allows perhaps a better influence on children who are ruined by bad parenting at home.

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  • by MicrocosmicOrbit on August 17th, 2010
    voted: No

    MicrocosmicOrbit

    A father and son walked into a hairsalon where I worked. The soon needed a hair cut. This young man was home schooled. Compared to how other youth conducted themselfs this young man excelled in soclail skills. Furthermore,his engagement in the couseltation was remarkable.

    I have asked kids to describe what they were wanted to have doe to thier hair with the parents hovering over they seem to shy and not engage themselfs. The pourpose of education is to use what you have. Schools have indeed failed in this department. I base this on talking with those teens that were home schooled. They seemed to have to ability to interact.

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  • by OmegaWolf747 on January 19th, 2010
    voted: No

    OmegaWolf747

    I wish I had been home schooled as a child. I hated school with its jerkoff students and staff and all the rigid rules.

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  • by Mr. Meaulnes on January 15th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    Mr. Meaulnes

    I was homeschooled for 15 years, and not in a sheltered, well-supported way, either. More often than not "homeschooled", for me, meant looking after my own education.

    Yes, I was at a disadvantage in some ways -- for instance, I'm not terribly good at working within the rigid system presented by public schools -- but on the other hand, being educated the way I was gives me a lot of advantages, the largest one being that I was never conditioned to look at learning as work, so unlike so many other students, I tend to come at it as an enjoyable opportunity rather than an obligation.

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  • by DaRightOne on August 30th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    DaRightOne

    you cant isolate your kid forever, and you probably shouldn't in the first place

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  • by earthflame on September 17th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    earthflame

    Yes, they are at a disadvantage. Not when it comes to the education itself, but they are lacking social skills that are crucial to their future. What kind of a childhood would you be giving your child if they never experienced what it was like to go to school? Never eat lunch in a cafeteria with their friends, kids their own age. Never understand what it's like to be in a classroom with other kids, run in gym class, play at recess, pass notes, have a locker?
    I don't understand why parent's would do this to a child. When they get to college, these are things they will need to know, will need to experience, and if they have to do it when they are 18 years old, they'll have some problems. How can a child who is home schooled have friends? All the kids in the town, they're in school all day! School teaches children life skills that cannot be taught by parents, no matter how hard you try.

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  • by Anonymous on September 2nd, 2010
    voted: Yes

    Anonymous

    homeschooled kids are complete weirdos. always. your parents are not geniuses. no regular people recall all of their material from their youth. give me a break. how bout some proper instructors. my mother cannot do trigonometry.

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  • by itisihere on September 5th, 2010
    voted: No

    itisihere

    Share your answer...

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  • by itisihere on September 5th, 2010
    voted: No

    itisihere

    You may go further in this world by being exposed to the things your exposed to at public or private schools. But what about the lifestyles of most americans? Drinking, drugs, sex out side of marrage, cussing, disrespect most kids seem to have for their elders anymore.

    I think a parent that really cares about their childs morals, and eternal spirit is very much doing the right thing by protecting them from this depraved society. I believe the things that are on the tv even on the ABC Family Channel are very bad for kids and adults. The shows even on that channel show kids being totaly disrespectful to their parents and promote all kind of evil unmoral, ungodly,selfish, perverted things! Things most of the world thinks is good!

    It was only a very short time ago when we saw these things as evil and sinful. But now we lust for them every min. of the day! Jesus said it would be like Sodom and it would be like the days of Noeh before his return. God destroyed that city for and the world for that very reason!
    Open your eyes world! Don`t you read the papers? Or read the Yahoo comments? Hate and wickedness on all sides! Please don`t reject the PARDON that Jesus paid for you!

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  • by Anonymous on September 13th, 2010
    voted: No

    Anonymous

    No, it keeps kids like I was out of fights

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  • by SanityClause on September 5th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    SanityClause

    Other than the previously stated social and educational disadvantages, homeschooling leaves the children participating open to abuse with no one to detect and report it. Isolation can be dangerous--even deadly, as well as socially stifling.

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  • by Anonymous on September 3rd, 2010
    voted: Yes

    Anonymous

    Share your answer...

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  • by QuentinRC on November 11th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    QuentinRC

    Socially: yes, there's no way to meet new friends at home, except for online which is cheating.
    Educationally: yes, you can't develop life skills all alone.

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  • by lynn718 on December 19th, 2010

    lynn718

    I think it depends on the degree of isolation that the kid has. For example, I have 2 cousins that were home schooled until just recently, but they did community league sports and hung out with kids in their neighborhood all the time and were very well adjusted. But there is a girl that goes to my church who is home schooled, but she plays in a christian basketball league, goes to a christian dance studio, goes to church, and hangs out with christian friends, so she has no idea what goes on in the world outside the christian faith. When she eventually goes off to college, she is going to be so confused when she hears people curse or talk about how drunk they got that weekend. So there is a way to home school a kid and have them turn out fine, but if you isolate them from everyone who isn't exactly like them and keep them completely sheltered, they will have no clue how to act around people who have different beliefs.

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  • by Hardcore Conservative on November 24th, 2010
    voted: No

    Hardcore Conservative

    As long as they're learning what they need to and are being property socialized, what's the problem?

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  • by boxer_1 on January 25th, 2011
    voted: Yes

    boxer_1

    I don't want to re-hash facts, statistics, pertinent information and / or opinions that have already been addressed in previous answers. Though, in part, my answer will address much of what has already been mentioned. The format of my answer is intended to summarize and bring focus to the main issues in the context of my opinion.

    Firstly, let me state that I realize that my opinion represents my personal views on the issue and that it will differ, in many aspects, from other opinions / points of view(s) voiced in many other answers. I believe that being open minded is essential in weighing the pros & cons of an issue. In summary, I respect the views expressed in other answers and read them with an open mind. All I ask is that you read my answer with an open mind as well.

    I've dabbled in this subject for years. At one point, when my Son was 14 (he's 20 now), my Wife and I tried the Home schooling route for several months. It didn't seem to work for us, in large part, because of his (somewhat natural) tendency to listen to others more so than he would listen to his parents. He took advantage of the less structured environment we maintained in relation to what was maintained at the public school he attended. The latter, combined with many other factors unique to our situation, convinced us to decide that returning him to public schooling would be more beneficial to his education, as well as his overall "education experience." I'll leave out going into detail about that trial and error experience since most of the factors were outside of what could be considered as "common" factors relevant to this subject.

    I believe that the level of education obtained from homeschooling is largely dependent on a case by case basis. Being dependent on the homeschooler(s), the homeschooling environment and the educational resources acquired and used. Additionally, the level of commitment, effort, and dedication put forth by both the homeschooler(s) as well the student(s) of homeschooling, has an impact on the overall results on a case-by-case basis.

    Other factors which I believe are influencing overall education results are the environment(s) and structure(s) of the educating process, whether one is referring to public schooling or home schooling.

    I see the level of "book-smarts" (if you will) as a variable that is controllable, to an extent and one that will vary widely depending on a huge number of factors. I don't think the main issues regarding homeschooling v.s. public schooling will be resolved via discussion of how book-smart a student becomes. There are too many variables here and too few constants.

    We have to keep the fact that "education" and the "education experience" is extremely dynamic. By this I mean, there is really no "container", of sorts, that you can put education and the experience while being educated into with the intent to compare result "A" with result "B."

    In my opinion, the pivotal core we can address, with hopes of getting results from the discussion, is the environment and / or atmosphere in which the educating is conducted. More specifically, the impact the aforementioned factors (environment and / or atmosphere) will have on the student's overall education and how dynamic / multi faceted said education will be. Taking into account, perhaps the most important factor, "How will the student(s) benefit from the education in Life / reality. Including, but not limited to such factors as employability, maintaining a career / chosen employment, dating issues and, subsequently marital success (applicable in most cases), socializing inside and outside the workplace, psychological health, dealing with adversity, all the way through to the approach taken when and / or if parenting becomes a part of the student's Life.

    Summarizing toward the main point, Public school systems don't teach just Math, Science, etc. They also teach (or provide an environment in which the students can learn from one another.

    The "Student body" can provide the environment where one must perform under peer pressure, keep a schedule that seems, sometimes, impossible to keep, learn to deal with the situations that are the closest thing to adult life and the obstacles it hurls at all of us from time to time. Of course this is barring the extremes, such as "bullying" and some of the other stand-out behaviors that cannot be tolerated in any environment. In the case of the latter, someone would have to intervene. I would liken it to situations in adult Life in which the adult needs to call for help (e.g. house fire, stolen automobile, an argument with an adult in which you began the argument under the assumption that the other adult DIDN'T have some sort of a "Rage" disorder).

    What does the meaning of "Education" encompass? Learning is obviously not simply developing skills in the in the subject of History, Math, Science and English alone. In real Life, even a mastery of the aforementioned skills will not make a person significantly better at dealing with some of the "curve balls" that adult Life can throw at you.

    Protection from profanity, cruel remarks about the clothing you are wearing, bearing witness to violence in the form of a fist fight, and, of course, the list goes on.

    I know, there are programs out there designed to compensate for any social voids. Maybe they work?
    I do Believe that Each Person Should Strive to Learn on a Daly Basis...lol. I learn on a daily basis, no need to "Strive", the education will come to you, even if you try avoid it! For instance, earlier today, I learned the the coffee table leg would supply adequate resistance to bring my toe (entire leg actually) to a dead stop, with my impacting toe absorbing the bulk of the shock (this would probably make about the 572nd time that lesson has found me, while finding it was on the top of my "NOT TO DO LIST" ...lol!

    Remember, no one ever promised you that Life was fair.

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  • by Michael on February 9th, 2011
    voted: Yes

    Michael

    haha i made it 50% 50%. yes they need friends and to be socialized if there not socialized they will be scared to make friends in future life

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  • by Spookburger on February 26th, 2011
    voted: Yes

    Spookburger

    yes socially, but academically they have an advantage.

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  • by Rebahinx on February 22nd, 2011
    voted: No

    Rebahinx

    I am home schooled and there are many benefits to his.
    I have never been bullied by a classmate.
    Home schoolers do better on test.
    The teacher is never to busy to help.

    My mother went to school to be a teacher so she helped me learn just as a teacher in a school would have, home schoolers will lear perfectly fina as long as there pearents are not stupid.

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  • by Twibbieful on November 24th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    Twibbieful

    Yes, socially, though not so much educationally (though of course it differs from case to case).

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Anonymous on November 11th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    Anonymous

    the most important thing about school is socializing in an environment away from your parents, making friends, dealing with bullies, competing with people, getting you pride bruised, etc.

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  • by Ender is back.. And slightly confused. on October 21st, 2010
    voted: No

    Ender is back.. And slightly confused.

    I was home schooled for my entire life. I do quite well in college and in terms of socializing with my peers.

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  • by IamCRANIUM on October 21st, 2010
    voted: No

    IamCRANIUM

    Get real. Homeschoolers are often leagues smarter than those in public school.hould know, I was one.

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  • by DownOnTheHatchet on November 8th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    DownOnTheHatchet

    i think they are, they are not raised as independent. they have to, at school, learn how to deal with problems with other people. if they are homeschooled they will not get that.

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  • by -O-uknow on August 30th, 2010

    -O-uknow

    Taught by those NOT having a degree and unschooled in the profession.. perhaps so.

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  • by Over and Out on November 11th, 2010
    voted: Yes

    Over and Out

    There are certainly advantages in the more individualized education home schooled kids get. However, I think the lack of socializing with their peer group is a distinct disadvantage. Kids need more in life than just their "ABC's"

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