Table of ContentsHomeschooling MethodsReasons for Choosing HomeschoolingHomeschooling and SocializationConclusionHomeschooling Parents are Often Questioned and Concerned by a common myth surrounding this method: does homeschooling make their children less sociable? According to the NCES (the National Center for Education Statistics), the definition of homeschooled children is children who primarily receive their education at home instead of going to conventional schools. For this reason, the stereotype that homeschooled children lack social skills exists due to limitations in peer interactions. However, researchers and literature suggest that homeschooled children are not socially isolated. This assertion is also supported by NCES data: homeschooling children among the school-aged student population (ages 5 to 17) is 3.4 percent in 2012, up from 2.2 percent in 2009. Clearly, homeschooling is a growing trend in education today despite the concern. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay Homeschooling Methods There are several homeschooling approaches that parents can choose from depending on their needs. According to Bergstrom (2012), homeschooling methods include “structured learning, distance learning, eclectic learning, “unschooling,” to name a few” (p. 12 ). Structured learning involves having a specific study time that fits into a fixed learning and teaching routine. Unlike other methods where parents can decide what their children will study, the out-of-school method allows children to choose what they want to add beyond the basics: reading, writing and doing math. A combination of the two above gives rise to an eclectic method where “one part is structured, another part is not” (Bergstrom, 2012). Another method that is becoming increasingly popular in homeschooling is distance learning. Distance learning allows parents to observe their children's performance through an online basis. All of these methods provide flexibility in time and location for homeschooled children; and they also offer the opportunity to work at their own pace. Reasons for Choosing Homeschooling Families who choose to homeschool state different reasons behind their choice. According to Medlin (2013), some parents express concern about the impacts of the school environment, such as unwanted peer influences or performance pressure on their children. For them, this environment can damage their confidence, lead to insecurity, dependency, and make them even less excited about social encounters. Other answers concern religion and morality. Overall, these parents want to be responsible for their children's education and at the same time deepen the relationship between them (Carson, 2009). Additionally, Medlin (2013) stated that parents believe that by choosing to homeschool, they can “provide the type of socialization experiences they want for their children” (p. 109). Homeschooling and Socialization The definition of social competence is defined by Carson (2009) as “how effective a person is in social interactions with others” (p. 3). According to Bergstrom (2012), whatever the reasons for..