| One of the most common concerns regarding home school is a child's socialization skills. This phenomenological study explored and described perceptions of home school parents regarding the socialization of their middle school children. The main question that guided the study was what are the perceptions of home school parents regarding the socialization of their middle school children? The study explored and identified attitudes, patterns, and themes of the lived experiences of 10 parents in the state of Maryland who home school their children. Data were collected by (a) distributing a 22-item demographic survey to the 10 participants, (b) conducting in-depth structured interviews in the home school environment of the participants and their children, (c) observing the home school environment and taking notes during each scheduled interview session, and (d) conducting member checks for data collection accuracy. Data were analyzed and findings were revealed using a qualitative paradigm and the NVivo software package. The major findings were that parents felt biblical principles and family centeredness were essential and necessary factors in developing character, beliefs and values, independence, communications, and the whole child to produce children who find productive roles in society. To avoid a sense of isolation, parents provided field trips and extracurricular activities, often through their religious affiliations. The study found that parents perceived home schooled children acquire the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to function in society and that home school parents felt they could more easily transfer their beliefs and values to their children than if their children were in traditional school programs. This study contributes to positive social change by elucidating how the family unit can be a primary vehicle for socialization. |
