It is important to understand that a child’s self-concept
and the socialization process are closely related. Ray (1989)
discusses several studies that indicate that home school students’
social development is comparable to or more advanced
than that of public school students. One particular
study used the Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale
to measure the central core of personality with home
school children in grades 4–12 (Taylor 1986). Home school
students scored significantly higher than public school students,
indicating that they had a more positive self-concept.
Insofar as self-concept is a basic factor of positive sociability,
we can conclude that home schoolers are not socially
deprived nor inferior in socialization (Taylor 1986).
Third, education is not exclusively about a child’s intellect;
it also includes character. Many home school advocates
argue that their view of morality and their deeply held
beliefs and values are not being adequately taught in public
schools, if at all. Therefore, they opt for home schooling to
assure that their children are provided numerous opportunities
to learn and embrace the morals and values that they
deem appropriate. For example, parents can teach their
children the importance of prayer and faith and instruct
them in religious precepts with direct reference to the Bible
or other Scriptures. Home schooling allows families to integrate
their personal beliefs and values, whatever they may
be, into all areas of the curriculum.