Socialization concepts and processes

Socialization

There is likely as many varied beliefs concerning homeschooling as there are individuals being homeschooled. The problem with many of these beliefs is that they are oftentimes misrepresented in the national media. This can lead to myths and certain preconceptions regarding those parents who choose to homeschool their children. Oftentimes these myths concern the raising of children without the profound effects of socialization.

One expert defines the concept of socialization as the "process whereby people acquire the rules of behavior and systems of beliefs and attitudes that equip a person to function effectively as a member of a particular society" (Durkin, 1995, pg. 614). The myth is that the children who are being taught at home are not interacting with society provides. This myth provides fodder for some experts to say that the children who are home schooled will not be effective or productive members of society because they will not know how to function in that society.

Another expert disagrees with that myth. Michael H. Romanowski wrote that "in the midst of a significant growth in this form of education and evidence demonstrating that homeschooling produces excellent students and citizens, many people, including educators, are still plagued by various myths regarding homeschooling" (Romanowski, 2006, pg. 125).

Romanowski and Durkin both agree that socialization can be productive and the outcomes from most socialization is positive in nature. That does not mean that for some individuals socialization is all it is cracked up to be.

Most research shows that interacting with peers and attaining a certain peer status during adolescence provides a positive atmosphere in the educational system. However, there are studies that have concentrated on juvenile delinquencies that suggest "disadvantaged boys are often able to gain some forms of peer status through violence and membership in violent groups undermines educational attainment" (Staff, Kreager, 2008, pg. 446). It would seem, therefore, that some socialization has the exact opposite outcome on certain individuals.

Romanowski also states "the process of socialization usually occurs in a child's daily activities as he or she interacts with individuals, the community, and culture at large" (pg. 126). It stands to reason then that if children are around other children they will tend to socialize, and with that socialization will come both good and bad effects. If the children are raised in a more secluded or sheltered environment, then it is asserted that their social skills would likely be more geared towards the environment that they are most familiar. Romanowski makes the assertion that there is a high amount of evidence "demonstrating that homeschooling produces excellent students and citizens" (pg. 126).

Other parents and experts have asserted the same thing, and it is important to keep in mind as a teacher that parents have strong viewpoints on this subject (as well as on many others). Raising children in a loving family environment is much different than teaching a group of diversified students in a classroom setting.

Teachers must be aware of this diversity and perhaps offer experiences that will help them as a group, while still focusing on individuals needs and learning requirements especially when dealing with students who are more familiar with homeschooling than with a school environment.

One mother (and writer) recently wrote of her reasons for homeschooling her children that might offer insight to those who wish to enter the teaching field. She wrote "a child in school almost inevitably has a separate existence, a 'school life' that too easily weakens parental authority and values and that also encourages an artificial boundary between learning and everything else" (Thomas, 2007, pg. 9). A teacher would probably be benefited throughout his/her teaching career if they kept the thought foremost that each student is someone else's offspring and the teacher's primary responsibility is to help that student learn, not to provide the student with 'artificial boundaries' or a weakened parental figure.

The teacher can be part of the community that helps to guide the child along in the role of life. It is an important responsibility, but it is just one role to be played. Other members of the community may be equally as responsible, although homeschool moms might beg to differ. One recent study showed that homeschool moms are sometimes fearful about teachers and the community overreaching their boundaries. Concerning homeschool moms, the authors wrote, "they are far too informed to allow their children to participate in the manipulation of numbers as they relate to school performance" (Sanborn, Santos, Montgomery, Caruthers, 2004, pg. 27).

The onslaught of data available through the internet, as well as through other media has informed the latest generation with a relatively large amount of information, more so than at any other time in man's history. Students are more prepared to learn than they were in previous generations, and teachers who plan on working in the elementary age classrooms will need to be much more prepared as well. Understanding that teacher's role in regards to providing education, as well as providing socialization experiences will mean that teachers will need to be cognizant as to how the local, the national, and the world-wide views of teaching and teachers are viewed.