Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Education
Advisor
Cheryl Keen
Abstract
AbstractThere is limited research on how homeschooled children socialize and how homeschooling parents view their socialization practices. More research could help parents be more effective in providing socialization experiences to enhance homeschooling. This study was conducted to develop a better understanding of parents’ perceptions of how homeschooling affects the socialization of their elementary school-aged children. The research questions also explored in what ways parents make socialization a component of homeschooling practices. Medlin’s three foci of socialization (i.e., social activity, influence, and exposure) were used as the conceptual framework. Using a basic qualitative approach, semi structured interviews were conducted with eight homeschooling parents. Open-ended coding of their responses resulted in five emergent themes. Parents perceived homeschooling provides their children with the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life and fosters self-development and self-directedness. They also perceived family creates community and culture and that homeschooling parents employed strategies for organized socialization and encouraged organic socialization. Educators and homeschooling parents may constructively use these findings to integrate socialization into learning and for increased understanding of how children make friends and upon what those friendships may be based. Positive social change may result from children supported in socialization that results in engagement with difference and increased civic involvement.
Recommended Citation
leiter, ruth, "Socialization Within Homeschooling" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 13528.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/13528
