That whole “socialization” argument I hear all the time regarding homeschooling? I don’t think the people arguing for socialization really understand what they’re saying.

How could it be a good thing to have 30+ children all born during the same year cooped up in a cinderblock or trailer classroom with 1 exhausted and often ill-trained adult?

I attended 13 years of public school. I remember very little about the lessons I learned from books or the projects I completed.

Most of what I learned in school were the norms of socialization.

The purpose of school is to force kids to conform.

Looking back on what I remember from the academics, I don’t think it was all that biased, but there were certainly gaps. From what I see of current common core curriculum, I worry for the socialist agenda of American public schools.

What Does School Really Teach Children?

1. Truth comes from Authority.
2. Intelligence is the ability to remember and repeat.
3. Accurate memory and repetition are rewarded.
4. Noncompliance is punished.
5. Conform: Intellectually and socially.

It is because of my experiences in public school that I realize our choice to homeschool is the right one for our family.

What I learned in school:

Violence. Sexual Assault. Bullying.

Kindergarten:

I could no longer be with my neighborhood best friend. He ignored me in class and played with other boys. I was alone and lost.

I was ridiculed for not paying attention or being able to answer questions.

I was good at art.

1st grade:

I was unable to use the toilet when I needed to go. Because I obeyed the teacher when she told me “No, you may only use the toilet during bathroom break times,” I had frequent accidents and it was utterly embarrassing. My mom had to have with the principal to end this torture.

I was labeled “retarded” for confusing my p’s and b’s in writing.

Miss McKinstry used shame a lot in her classroom. Boys who misbehaved would have to stand at the chalkboard and place their noses in a chalk-drawn circle to be stared at by the class.

When I wrote my name in cursive at the top of my papers, the teacher marked it with a BIG RED X.

2nd grade:

I was sent out into the hallway alone for discipline where I could daydream to my heart’s content.

During recess, I wasn’t accepted as a “family member” in the other girls’ pretend play house, but was told I could portray the family dog since I had long ears (ponytails).

I often felt I exasperated Miss Wilson and learned not to ask questions.

3rd grade:

Multiplication tables and cursive were great joys. I wanted something more challenging but the worksheets were all the curriculum offered. I was often bored and helped the teacher grade papers or staple packets or organize her files.

I witnessed teachers struggle with some very out of control students. One boy got strapped to his chair. It was scary.

I was the only girl who played whiffleball on the playground with the boys.

Mrs. Gilreath was a lovely teacher who seemed to adore me and let me come to her house to ride her horse.

4th grade:

I got a taste of popularity. To maintain it, I shouldn’t play with the boys anymore.

I didn’t understand the Miss Kent’s sarcasm but her tone made me uncomfortable.

I liked science.

5th grade:

I had to deal with my obnoxious male table mate on my own because we were seated alphabetically all year. It occasionally resulted in fist fights which he usually won. Ms. Crawford usually punished me for it.

I was perfect at spelling.

I loved world history and the skits we performed at the end of the year. I played Cortes and Queen Isabella in two different skits.

6th grade:

I snuck teal eyeshadow but couldn’t understand how any of my classmates were “going together.”

I had a substitute teacher for math for the whole year and learned virtually nothing.

Ms. Ontal gave me detention for chewing gum on the playground at recess but everyone had gum and I was the only one punished.

7th grade:

I realized that my bad perm and JCPenney clothes didn’t endear me to the popular kids with their GAP clothes and stylish hair and name-brand shoes.

A state representative’s daughter stole my house key and there were no reparations. Life isn’t fair and I was not protected by authorities at school or by my parents.

I lost out on a year of pre-algebra due to a teacher with zero classroom management. Mr. Donovan was fired at the end of the year, but I had lost out on two years of essential math. Math still haunts me to this day.

8th grade:

Teachers had a zero-tolerance rule for physical touch. I was labeled a prude by classmates and targeted in the hallways. When I was accosted in a bear hug in the PE hall by a boy goofing around, I was issued a detention slip by the band teacher even though I was a victim. He didn’t even show up for the detention and there were no further consequences for him.

I didn’t pass the algebra test to move on in math, so I had to retake pre-algebra, which messed up my whole high school plan.

9th grade:

I received death threat notes when the science teacher announced my assignments were the highest grade in the class. I privately asked her to stop announcing it and she was bewildered. I learned to be silent in class.

Boys found it easy to corner girls to grope and fondle. There were never any consequences nor discipline by authorities. I learned never to walk alone on school property.

10th grade:

This was probably my favorite school year. I loved world literature and world history. I enjoyed biology and geometry.

I rebelled and took an art class. The art teacher was mean.

My parents moved to a different county and I transferred to a new school district before 11th grade.

11th grade

The new school was reputed to be so academic. The school I had attended previously offered many vocational courses, but it was becoming an urban environment. This school was so new, there weren’t even extracurricular activities or sports in place. Rezoning made sure those from the rich gated communities attended this school.

Making coffee for my scatter-brained chemistry teacher was enough for me to pass without learning a bit of chemistry. He was too busy completing his PhD to care about teen students.

Upon learning of dual enrollment with the local community college, I proceeded to complete the paperwork. I received negative feedback from the high school counselor and administrators. They refused to complete their paperwork or sign the forms. I enrolled at the community college on my own merit as a freshman scholar with a double scholarship.

12th grade:

I attended my Zero Period marketing class at my high school and then a college class each quarter. I also worked a part time job.

There were no senior courses offered that benefited me. My English class had a substitute teacher the entire year who preferred I stay out.

I didn’t go to senior prom.

I almost didn’t receive my diploma because I dropped the penlight they issued all students for the graduation ceremony. We didn’t get to keep our caps or gowns either.

We received our cheap yearbooks a month after school ended.

I was part of the second graduating class of that school.

While I know some of my classmates loved school and have great memories, I unfortunately did not. I am not saying all public schools are bad. I am not saying all authorities are clueless.

My experiences formed who I am and what I believe. I am thankful that I can homeschool my children.

I love being able to teach them great academics.

How I “socialize” my homeschooled kids:

I coach them according to biblical principles how to relate to their siblings, peers, elders, pastors, authority figures, wait staff at restaurants, clerks in the dentist’s office, and those in need.

They are free from punishments, rewards, contrived academics, group projects.