“Real” Social Environment
Why do so many people consider the main benefit of public schools to be learning how to deal with a “real social environment”? I took that quote from a comment on this article:
Online schooling gives kids, parents new options for education
Every time I see an article or hear a conversation about alternative schools or schooling methods the issue of socialization is raised. Certainly it can’t be the only “real” environment where a kid can learn the proper way to interact with others? It seems rather contrived to me. Instead of dealing with real issues like learning, growing, and enjoying life, too many kids instead become acquainted with popularity contests, bullies, teasing, crude language, and isolation.
Beyond all of that how many of us sit around all day listening to someone else tell us what to do and think and then raise our hands and wait to be called on before we’re allowed to get a drink or even answer a question. I’m all for organization, I just don’t get why we think that is what constitutes a “real” social environment.
Does anyone have any insight to dealing successfully with all of these public school issues?
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I need to agree with you here Reg. I am sick of people justifying lack of educational standards for the kids because they are only there for the social aspect. I am torn with educational decisions in our future. On another note, I hope your parents ok. I have had you guys in our prayes.
I personal obviously don’t have kids in school but most of my friends out here do and most of them have chosen to home school, they feel that there kids learn more, they do a lot of hands on things, fieldtrips. As far as the social thing since there is a lot of other families doing it, they will do things together! Plus they are really involved at church and get alot of social interaction there! But I have two young women who are both homeschooled and they are both a bit socially awkward and they are the first to admit it. They both wish that they went to regular school so that they could be in more social situations!
I wish I had some insight. I think that the “social environment” is flawed in so many ways . . . you’re surrounded by bad influences (bullies, profanity, crudeness, etc.). I guess these are things we all have to deal with eventually, but does that make you a better person if you’re exposed to it at an early age? At home you can set the example of how to treat others. But nonetheless, I will probably send my kids to school when the time comes (with a heavy heart). :)
hey Reg. I have to say that you are right and wrong in my point of view. Some of the social situations in public school are harmful in many ways yet also a lot of them are very productive in teaching the youth how to react in situations and communicate well. No one wants their kid to be the bully or the bullied, but even in those situations there are always opportunities to learn, for both parties. There are things I would change about public schooling but a lot of it, I believe, is good for the development of the youth. They have the chance to interact with others outside their social standing (above or below), learn what true friendship means, and see what people from other religions are like. utah unfortunatly/fortunatly has a monopoly on most students being LDS, yet it is good for all of us to see the other side of it and know how those outside our realm live and think. Public schools do this and more. There are bad things about the system but on the whole I personally believe that if done right, with communication and a parent who can help their children see the pitfalls, public schools can help the children become more socially adept and better able to deal with the hard situations that will indeed come later in life.