Socialization and the Case against Formal Schooling

What do we expect our children to learn when we send them to school? The answer to that question may vary among parents but surely no one would say they want their children to learn unacceptable behaviors, to become juvenile delinquents, to develop sight problems, or to be wrongly placed in a special education programs. Yet evidence was presented by American Educational Professionals Raymond and Dorothy Moore that these problems were the result of increasingly earlier enrollment of students in Early Childhood education programs. Their research in the legitimacy of Early Childhood Education found that exposing children to formal schooling before the ages of 8-12 not only fell short of effective, it was actually detrimental to children.

Raymond and Dorothy asserted in their book Better Late than Early that early enrollment in schools damaged the bonds made at home with parents during the early years. They claimed that this damage is irreparable, producing long term negative results. Although they were specifically speaking of the academic development of children and early childhood education, I believe these claims are true of children's social development as well.

Schools are taking on the role of teaching our children to be sociable and not just teaching academics. The school setting is becoming the place where children learn how to act in a social setting even though the school atmosphere is often tainted by delinquency, low academic achievement and behavior problems. Young minds, eager to learn from their surroundings, are tarnished with an erroneous definition of proper social behavior.

To socialize as defined in the 2003 Webster's New World Dictionary states: to make fit for living in a group. This definition is similar to that found in the 1810 Merriam-Webster which states: To make social: especially to fit or train for a social environment.

To be socialized an individual must exhibit certain characteristics including being sociable - a disposition to associate and converse with others, ready and inclined to join in company or society and ready to unite in a general interest in order to become social. Individuals must be able to work together with the community of which they are a part and conform to current laws, both physically and spiritually. Individuals must respect authority and possess an understanding of the way things are. These characteristics are learned early in life through observation and practice.

The Better Alternative

It is in my opinion that the best foundation for learning occurs in the home. In this case 'learning' refers not only to academic knowledge but also to an understanding of the world. Only in the home can children learn to be sociable and be properly prepared for the social environment. The proper atmosphere is in the home. The value system that will shape all other behaviors is learned in the home. The paradigm for learning how to honor and respect authority is found in the home. I believe the best place for children to learn how to be part of their community physically and spiritually is the home.

Further studies were conducted by the Moore's in the 1970's looking into early childhood education furthering this belief. After more than 8,000 studies, they concluded that, "Where possible, children should be withheld from formal schooling until at least ages 8-10." Their reason was simple, "children are not mature enough for formal school programs until their senses, coordination, neurological development and cognition are ready."

Another theory developed by John Caldwell Holt stated that the "academic failure of school children was caused by pressure placed on children in schools." In 1980 he said, "I want to make it clear that I don't see home schooling as some kind of answer to badness of schools. I think that the home is the proper base for the exploration of the world which we call learning or education. Home would be the best base no matter how good the schools were."

What are the possible consequences to prematurely forcing a child into a formal school setting? When Education Becomes Abuse: A Different Look at the Mental Health of Children concludes that some of those consequences is a sequence of;

Uncertainty as the child leaves the family for a less secure environment
Puzzlement at the new pressures and restrictions of the classroom
Frustration because they are not ready to handle the regimentation of formal lessons (unready learning tools � senses, cognition, brain hemispheres, coordination)
Hyperactivity growing out of nerves and jitters from frustration
Failure which quite naturally flows from the four experiences above
Delinquency which is failure's twin and apparently for the same reason

Imagine children as young as 3 years of age trying to sort out emotions that they cannot even describe. In an attempt to understand their feelings, children often lean on their peers for guidance in understanding their environment. Unfortunately, the process of emulating their peers draws them away from adult directed positive sociability and self-concept.

On the contrary, it is my belief that children with roots in the home as their base of exploration benefit from more time spent with warm, responsive parents, limited time with peers and free exploration under parental guidance. The child is protected from the puzzling array of emotions associated with early childhood. Children have an opportunity to build their self-esteem by forming strong bonds with their parents. Best of all parents have the privilege of setting the standard for proper social behavior and community involvement.

Proven Results

The National Home Education Research Institute conducted a survey in 2003 of 7,300 adults who had been home schooled (5,000 more than seven years). They asked about community involvement, voting within the last 5 years, and overall happiness with life. In all questions, home schooled adults answered in the affirmative more than double as much as traditional school graduates.

Socialization is to make social: especially to fit or train for a social environment. Socialization is best learned through observation and practice in the home, not the school environment. The research conducted by the Moore's and by the National Home Education Research Institute provide statistical data to prove that proper socialization happens in the home.

About the Author:

Michedolene Hogan has been married for 15 years and in lives in a nice quiet, family oriented neighborhood. She is the publisher and co-author of Unique Parenting, a website offering practical solutions to strengthen your family. She shares her 15 years of parenting experiences in the unique parenting chat forum and through her bi-weekly newsletter that offers parenting advice for raising moral children.

Last updated:28/12/08

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