Is it socialization or socializing?

Did you know there's a difference?

People who are opposed to homeschooling worry about the socialization of children who do not attend school.   Socialization means learning the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social position, according to dictionary.com.  I don't think a child needs to attend school to learn these things.  In fact, I would prefer my children learn these values, behaviors, and social skills from time spent with me rather than their peers.  "Traditionally" schooled children spend more time with their peers than their parents and can easily pick up their behaviors and values rather than those from home. In our experience I found it frustrating to have spent six years modeling good manners for Big C to have them essentially disappear once she began spending the majority of her time with immature, un-socialized, poorly supervised children.  We, as adults, have had years of experience being socialized.  Children have not and need good, consistent role models to become well mannered, kind, thoughtful people. 

Socializing, on the other hand, is the opportunity for people to engage and interact with other people.  One aspect of homeschooling I appreciate is the opportunity our children have to interact with a wide variety of other children and adults from all walks of life.  I think it's important for them to learn how to play and communicate with children who are younger, older, and the same age.  That's real life.  School is the only time in your life when you are segregated into groups based on your chronological age.   Think, how many of your adult friends are identical in age?  

Maybe the more appropriate question for critics of home-schooling is, "Are your children socializing?", to which I can confidently respond, "Without a doubt!"