Teen Socialization in the Homeschool Community

Melanie, my oldest, recently turned 14. Always something of a social butterfly, the teen years have only magnified her desire to mingle with others in her age group. As readers with teenagers may know, this presents its own set of challenges for the homeschooling family. While the teen is in most need of homeschoolers to socialize with, teen homeschoolers are often the most difficult to find.

I have spoken to others in a similar position, and I believe I have at least a partial explanation for this absence of teen-dom in homeschooling circles - at least those circles with which I am associated. The first explanation is a simple one of statistics; fewer homeschooled children are age 14 and above. For either social or college related reasons, many kids choose to attend high school once they are of age to do so. Another factor leading to fewer teen homeschoolers at traditional homeschool get-togethers is that many teens already have established relationships. Whether through a church group, neighborhood, or childhood friendship, many kids this age are comfortable with their existing social network - thus less likely to be out looking to make new homeschooled friends. This third factor has a particularly great effect on teens not heavily involved in a local church or religion. In my area, nearly all established teen groups are religion-specific.

So what's a teen to do? Perhaps more to the point, what is a concerned parent of a teen to do? After several semi-successful (mostly not-so-much) attempts at introducing my daughter to others in her agegroup by attending traditional homeschool field-trips and gatherings, I have decided to take matters into my own hands. I have posted messages on every local homeschool oriented message board I could find. Simply explaining the situation and asking for ideas, these posts have generated a surprising (to me, anyway) level of commiserate interest. After only 12 hours, there are at least four other families - a total of six teenagers - who are interested in meeting for pizza sometime soon. Ultimately I would like to set up a weekly or biweekly teen gathering.

Will people actually show up? Will it provide sustainable social interaction and friendships for a community oriented 14 year old girl? While the answers remain to be seen, for the first time in this search, I am excited by the prospects. Report to follow!