What about Socialization?

Yes, homeschool children should have friends. But not just random friends. Homeschoolers have the opportunity to for selective socialization. Parents can guide their children to other Christian families with like minded morals and values. Most home school families I know are are very active with other families. There are weekly field trips with support groups, twice a week church functions, scouts, choir, weekly skating parties, etc, etc.

Studies Prove Homeschoolers Do Better Socially

Information gathered by the National Home Education Research Institute  prove homeschool students have significantly higher self concepts than those in public schools.

	Dr. Johnson (1991) concluded that home educators carefully address the socialization needs of their children in every area studied (i.e., personal identity, personal destiny, values and moral development, autonomy, relationships, sexuality, and social skills).
	Studying actual observed behavior, Dr. Shyers (1992) found the home educated had significantly lower problem behavior scores than do their conventional school agemates. And the home educated have positive self-concepts.
	Dr. Taylor (1986) found that the home educated have significantly higher self concepts than those in public schools.
	The home schooled are well adjusted socially and emotionally like their private school comparison group. The home educated, however, are less peer dependent than the private school students (Delahooke, 1986).
	Dr. Montgomery (1989) found that home schooled students are just as involved in out-of-school and extracurricular activities that predict leadership in adulthood as are those in the comparison private school (that was comprised of students more involved than those in public schools).
	Home educated children are more mature and better socialized than are those sent to school, according to Thomas Smedley's personal interaction and communications approach to understanding socialization.
	Dr. Gary Knowles, of the University of Michigan, explored adults who were home educated. None were unemployed and none were on welfare, 94% said home education prepared them to be independent persons, 79% said it helped them interact with individuals from different levels of society, and they strongly supported the home education method.

What Does God's Word Say About Who we Socialize With?

The concept of separation from evil is fundamental to God's relationship with His people. According to the Bible, separation evolves two dimensions-one negative and one positive:

1. separating yourself morally and spiritually from sin and everything that is contrary to Jesus Christ, righteous and God's Word.
2. drawing near to God in a close intimate fellowship thorough dedication, worship and service.

Don Stamp commentary explains in the Full Life Bible:

1. In the Old Testament separation was an ongoing requirement for God's people. (Ex 23:24; Lev. 20:22-26; Isa 52:11;) They were expected to be holy, different and separated from other peoples in order to belong to God as His very own.
2. In the New Testament God commanded separation of the believer (a) from the corrupt world system and from unholy compromise. (b) from those in church who sin and refuse to repent (Mat 7:15; 1Co 5:9-11; 2Th 3:6-15) and from false teachers, churches or cults that teach theological error and deny Biblical truths (Mat 7:15; Rom 16:17)
3. Our attitude in separation must be one of (a) hatred toward sin, unrighteousness and the corrupt world system, (b) opposition to false doctrine, © genuine love towards whom we must separate. and (d) fear of God as we perfect holiness.
4. The purpose of separation is that we as God's people might (a) persevere in salvation (1Ti 4:16; Rev 12:14-17), faith (1Ti 1:19; 6:10; 20-21) and holiness (Jo 17:14-21; 2Cor 7:1) (b) live wholly for God as our Lord and Father (Mat 22:37; 2Co 6:16-18) and convince the unbelieving world of the truth and blessings of the gospel (Jn 17:21; Phi. 2:15.)
5. If we separate ourselves properly, God Himself rewards us by drawing near with His protection, blessing and Fatherly care. He promises to be everything a good Father should be. He will be our counselor, guide; He will love and cherish us as His own children. (2Cor 6:16-18)
6. The refusal of believers to separate themselves from evil will inevitability result in loss of fellowship with God (2 Co 6:16), of acceptance by the Father (6:17) and of our rights as children (6:18cf. Rom 8:15-16).

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