If you are anything like me, you get awfully tired of fielding questions about homeschooling and socialization. Author Rachel Gathercole has written a 226-page book (not including appendices) dedicated to this topic. Subtitled "The Social Benefits of Homeschooling," this book is one you will want to give to those who disagree with homeschooling from a socialization standpoint.
The book is broader in scope than simply socialization. By tackling such topics as what homeschoolers do, a definition of socialization, friends and peers, family relationships, safety and bullying, relationships with adults, diversity and minority socialization, citizenship and democracy, the teen years, and the homeschooling parent's social life, the author necessarily touches on many other positives of homeschooling.
Much of the information in The Well-Adjusted Child is disseminated through actual quotes from homeschooling family members. The preface states, "Be warned, though: the purpose of this book is not to prove that all homeschoolers are well socialized. The purpose is to share the opinions, experiences, perspectives, and thoughts of some homeschoolers and to show through these experiences the opportunities and benefits that homeschooling can offer for good socialization." Gathercole goes on to say that homeschooling does not necessarily produce better socialization, nor does public/private school necessarily lead to poor socialization. "This book will simply show how and why a great many homeschoolers are reaping enormous social benefits from homeschooling."
Appendix A provides sources of information on finding or starting a homeschool support group, and Appendix B lists famous homeschoolers throughout history. There is also a "works cited" section (the book is well-researched) and a bibliography.
I recommend this book to those contemplating homeschooling, homeschool families with relatives and friends who are concerned about socialization, homeschoolers who wish to become more articulate about the arguments for homeschooling in light of socialization, and finally those homeschoolers who are perhaps questioning their decision to homeschool. I would also recommend this book to those who are comfortable in their homeschooling because it is an affirmation of one of the many blessings we reap.
Product review by Kathy Gelzer, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, February 2010
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