Blount County’s Daily Times has realized what many parents have already discovered for themselves, that homeschooling is a better alternative than public schooling. I myself was homeschooled so I can vouch for the validity of that statement by saying it was the best decision my parents ever made.

But there are those who do not agree and say that homeschooling is terrible for a child socially. They would argue that it tears the child away from interaction with other children their own age and that it also keeps them from being a part of clubs and organizations from which the child could benefit.

Many times these statements come from individuals who have never had experience being homeschooled and have no idea how involved homeschoolers really are. Homeschoolers are just as involved socially, if not more so, than traditional public students.

One of the arguments used against homeschoolers is that they do not have as many opportunities to engage in clubs and sports. That couldn’t be farther from the truth.

I can speak for myself when I say I was involved in 4-H and played tennis, piano and guitar. Other homeschoolers were playing baseball, soccer and even football. In fact, my cousin, who played football for Valdosta State University, coaches a homeschool team in Augusta.

Another popular argument is, but what about Friday night games and homecoming? My response is always the same. What about them? I’ve been to many Friday night games and even homecoming. These events don’t require you to become a student at their school to attend.

But even if a child never got to attend a football game, does it really mean they are branded a social outcast and will never obtain the proper social skills to function in the world? I really don’t believe it does.

Another argument I hear a lot is that it would be really boring to be homeschooled. All they have to do all day is schoolwork and sit around the house. Well, that is another misconception.

Although it is true that homeschoolers do have more time to be free, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they sit around and do nothing all day. In fact, most homeschooled children use their time productively and many times this means giving back to the community.

While publicly schooled children are “sociably” sitting at their desks, homeschoolers get to be out in the community making a difference and applying actual life lessons. Instead of being taught about good values and ethics, they are practicing them.

When I was young we would go and play piano at the local nursing homes and just spend some time with the senior citizens there. For many of the residents, it was the most outside interaction they had had for a long time. The smiles on their faces were unforgettable and did my conscience more good than any story or book could attempt to do.

I think the argument I hear the most, though, is the one where homeschoolers aren’t exposed to kids their own age. In a way they are right.

Homeschoolers are not exposed to just kids their own age, but of all ages. From infants to senior citizens, homeschoolers are better able to socialize with everyone rather than just kids their own age. After all, the world isn’t made up of just teenagers.

But if all that’s been said about homeschoolers were true, then every homeschooler would be a social outcast. Well, maybe you’ve heard of Venus and Serena Williams, the tennis-playing twins who are considered by many to be the greatest players of our time.

Or maybe actress Dakota Fanning, who has played many roles in popular films such as “The Twilight Saga” and “War of the Worlds.” They were all homeschooled, but yet they are some of the most recognizable names in the media and hardly social outcasts.

The fact of the matter is that the majority of homeschoolers are actually quite sociable. True, there are a few that just don’t seem to connect with anyone. But aren’t there kids that behave the same way in public schools?

Most people don’t understand homeschooling so they start making assumptions.

Paxton Gordon

Moultrie