Internet Playing

Wagering is in all probability one of mankind’s oldest pursuits. Actually, kings, the aristocracy, and the landed gentry have gambled on a variety of events as far back as records go. In modern times, the rise of the Internet has transformed gambling forever. The Internet permits everybody to wager on well-nigh any sporting event available from the comfort of your home. At the outstart, betting was reserved for just the upper classes. Horse racing and mock fights provided the nobility with the chance to take a risk on who they thought would be the winner. With the passage of time, games of chance moved into the public houses where common folk would to wager on dominoes and good old bar fights. Soon football, polo and basketball wagers became increasingly fashionable with the masses.

Soon ordinary folk could wager on local teams, local events and on tournaments set up specifically for gambling. It’s not uncommon for players to bet sometimes. Unfortunately, this had a lot of limitations since everyone outside urban areas were not close to this sort of service. Individuals were in addition confined to gambling on events in and around your local area or to those shown on TV or radio. After the advent of Internet gambling, NFL football gambling and even wagering in general was transformed irreversibly. These days, individuals have the convenience of sitting at their laptop computer and finding out everything they need to place a bet on any NFL sports team or person, no matter where they are. Payment may be very easily configured to access your bank details, saving you having to re-enter your banking details each time. You don’t need to be exceptionally rich anymore, since several pricing levels are offered. So thanks to the Internet, nowadays no-one is excluded from the fun irrespective of shortage of funds. So now each person can have the enjoyment of betting irrespective of where they live. Combine this convenience with the excitement of a big sporting event and the concept of winning at the same time, and the result is the favorite pursuit of millions of people.

Maryland home inspections have most likely been around probably as long as houses themselves. People would often ask someone they were familiar wtih, such as a friend, parent,.or sometimes a builder, to assess the condition of the house they were selling or planning to buy.
Home inspection software IQ6000 developed with years of much frustration as I was utililizing other home inspection software utilities and with 25 years of experience performing home inspections, drawing from that experience, IQ6000 was created. IQ6000 was made to be extremely easy for all to use and learn. You be able to learn it after viewing one hour of our videos, and be able to use it to perform an inspection. If for some reason you have problems or questions, just e-mail us and I will assist you with it. You can alter the options, output the report to PDF, print, e-mail, or burn to CD. You can create databases of attorneys, realtors, and inspection reports. Backing it up is easy, simply click on it and then drag it. The home inspection software IQ6000 is compatible with both the PC and the Mac, and the best part of it all, home inspection software IQ6000 is free. We feature no setup fees, no upgrade fees, you are assessed a feee per report, and you are provided a variet of volume purchase options, and there are monthly subscriptions as an option. House inspection software IQ6000 is the best home inspection software to choose for for the modern home inspection firm.
Red Oak law firm The Hale Law Firm, P.C. provides services to a wide spectrum of businesses and individuals from our home offices in Waxahachie, Texas, Lancaster Law Firm The Hale Law Firm represent clients throughout Dallas and Ellis County, including: Ovilla, Waxahachie, Midlothian, Red Oak, Ennis, Ferris, DeSoto, Glenn Heights, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Duncanville, Mansfield, Grand Prairie, Dallas.

Talent management techniques are important in order to achieve the best in your business success. With a little effort you may succeed in improving in these skills. Having a innate affinity for getting along with people may be an advantage, but you can do some things to make this procedure easy.

Relationship Development: Start by using an individual’s name. Engage in conversation; get eye contact during a conversation. Show respect, and be attentive to everything the other individual says, even if you disagree or have another opinion. The development of the ability to listen is among the most effective things you may do to improve your people management skills. Encourage any comments from team members. Live up to promises: Keeping your word is really important. If you can’t keep your promises, the delicate bond of trust is damaged, and if they can’t trust you your staff will not perform at their best. Everytime you make a commitment or give a promise, you are squandering your time and effort if you don’t follow through. To be honest, if you can’t be counted on, your team won’t be available when they are most needed.

Encourage any comments: Feedback must be a two-way process. Talent management skills mean keeping an open mind to all feedback. Being accessible and open shows that you want to listen to your co-worker’s views, your thoughts will be appreciated in return. Bona Fide discourse in addition promotes fresh ideas, ways of fulfilling the goals of the team, and develops the team. When team members can express themselves, each employee invests in the project’s outcome. Encourage all sorts of communication: Communication is the key to dealing with people skilfully. Be approachable, listen closely to your co-workers, be open minded, and encourage all your staff to express their views. Encourage team members not only to communicate to you, but to talk to each other. The creative process depends a great deal on the open exchange of opinions, if the team members communicate efficiently, it becomes much easier to spot any issues before they might become a problem, permitting corrective action to be implemented early to prevent any further problems. Acquiring these techniques may take time, even so the payoffs far outweigh the effort needed. By building the bonds of a good team and developing effective listening techniques, a thriving business can be yours.

Inspecting Your Plumbing




Submitted by: Michael Del Greco, New Jersey Home Inspector Lic. GI 0121

Accurate Inspections, Inc., A New Jersey Home Inspection Company



A professional home inspector determines the condition of a home by looking for \”signs\” that tell a story. These signs may indicate that a problem exists. Thanks to a thorough understanding of the signs, inspecting homes is fast becoming an exacting profession.

There are hundreds of signs professional home inspectors use that can help you uncover the basic condition of a home. Once these conditions are understood and problems that exist are uncovered, you can plan a strategy for repairs or replacement.

Here are the signs to look for when inspecting a plumbing system.


Water Supply Piping

1) Copper water piping is a dependable material however, wells with acidic water can cause the copper piping to fail. Look for pinholes in the piping. They will be marked by small greenish rings.


2) Steel water piping has a life expectancy of 40 to 70 years, depending on usage and the local water. Oxidation or rust develops from the inside of the pipe. Initial failure is evidenced by rust spots which appear to be rust growths on the outside of the pipe.


3) Plastic water piping is not used in most areas of the country and has had problems at the joints, especially on the hot water lines. Newer chemical bonding causes the plastic pipe and fittings to fuse together and appears to have corrected the joint problems.


Drain Piping

1) Cast iron piping is dependable for 50 to 90 years. Generally, the first failure appears as a crack on the top of the pipe approximately 8\’ to 20\’ below or past a vertical stack.

2) Steel drain piping is dependable for 50 to 100 years. Rust develops from the inside and spots or growths appear on the exterior and indicate failure.

3) Copper drain piping is very dependable. Failures are usually workmanship related.

4) Lead drain piping is usually dependable for 60 to 100 years. This piping is relatively soft and hot water may cause it to sag and develop problems if not properly supported.

Vents, Fixtures, and Pressure

1) Gurgling or air sounds indicate venting problems. Vents are required close to fixtures.

2) Gently rock toilets and sinks to determine if they are secure.

3) Sink traps or piping which have been taped or caulked indicate that leaking has occurred. Tape and caulk are considered temporary repairs at best.

4) Evaluate water pressure by operating the three fixtures in the highest bathroom. Open the tub spout because it does not have a screen or flow restrictor, flush the toilet, and open the sink faucets. If the pressure in the sink is acceptable, the house pressure is acceptable. Check the shower head separately because it has a flow restrictor.


Gas-Fired Water Heater

1) Water stains below the tank or in the burner compartment indicate a possible failure.

2) Burned paint on the cabinet indicates a problem in the burner compartment. The burner is not positioned correctly or the flame shield has failed. This is a fire hazard.

3) Excessive rust in the burner compartment and at the gas bonnet (top of the unit) indicates there is a possible drafting problem.



Information provided by Michael Del Greco, New Jersey Home Inspector Lic. GI 0121, American Society of Home Inspectors Member 102273, Pesident of Accurate Inspections, Inc. A West Paterson New Jersey Home Inspection firm.

In the old days of the internet, links were the primary communication path between web sites. Search engines were not as sophisticated as today, and search results rather crude. Actually, even today links are reported to be more used than search engine results; but the latter are increasing their share. In a way, this began to change when Google entered the scene. In an effort to make search results more relevant, Google implemented an algoritm that judged the quality of a web site by the number of other sites linking to it. It seemed rather obvious that a popular, much linked-to, site should be of higher relevance than a site with few links pointing to it.

Unfortunately, as webmasters realized this a frantic stampede began. Everybody did whatever they could to secure as many incoming links as possible. One example: In my own field, web hosting reviews, there is a site that has (according to Yahoo) 4,000,000 incoming links pointing to it! Yes, FOUR MILLION links! By comparison, Microsoft.com has only about 3,000,000 incoming links!

I won’t speculate on just how those 4,000,000 links were collected, but surely it can’t have been by manually asking those 4,000,000 webmasters for a link exchange! And I also doubt that the 4,000,000 webmasters just spontaneously thought “Wow, I will put up a link to this cool web hosting review site”! Yes, even cooler than Microsoft.com, evidently.

As we all know now, Google got tired of having its search results manipulated in this way. So they tweaked their ranking algoritms (one tweak widely known as the dreaded “Florida Update”), to put an end to these methods. They started actively punishing web sites that were caught using devices such as “Free For All” link exchange sites, and implemented many other measures also; too many to mention here.

So, getting many inbound links is a dead concept now? That is what some people claim, but they are wrong! What IS dead is the idea that links are nothing but search engine food. Rather, we are getting back in the direction of the good ol’ days, when links were not there just to bait the search bots. Some folks may have forgotten that links really are there to serve as paths of communication for Real People. Inbound links to a web site means paths for humans to enter, and browse the content. And that is what all of us webmasters want: VISITORS!

This also means: stop trying to manipulate search engines. Keep your directory of links, if it does provide some real value to visitors. But if those links are just a messy jumble, hidden somewhere in a dusty corner of your site – repent! Get those links out of the closet, let them breathe some fresh air!

Kai Virihaur is a web developer, researcher, and artist. He runs
The Hosting Finder (http://www.thehostingfinder.com), a web hosting directory featuring articles and RSS feeds on web development, web site promotion, and internet marketing.

This article may be used freely as long as this resource box, with intact hyperlink, is included.

“Ban these evil games”, “Videogame violence corrupting our nation’s youth”, “video games stole my husband”. It seems everyday that the media are making more and more claims about the evils of videogames. But are these claims based on fact, or is it merely that there is a juicy new scapegoat out there that the woes of the world can be pinned on?

Many people will be aware of the Daily Mail’s ‘Manhunt’ story by now. The paper ran with the first page headline of ‘Ban these evil games’, claiming that 17 year old Warren LeBlanc’s obsession with the ultra-violent Rockstar game ‘Manhunt’ drove him to beat his 14 year old friend, Stefan Pakeerah, over 50 times with both a claw hammer and knife. The tabloid then proceeded to assert “the hammer-and-knife killing mirrored scenes in the ultra-violent game”. The paper also ran a quote from the mother of the victim, saying that, despite the fact the game had an 18 certificate, “it’s no good saying this game is marketed at adults. Everyone knows that young children get their hands on them.”

But what was the real motive behind the murder, and the follow up story? It’s easy to see where the motive for the Daily Mail’s story came from. In the words of the panel of the IGDA (International Games Developers Association) “it was a slow news day”. And what better to liven it up than blood, violence and a convenient scapegoat?

There are two other important facts to remember about this awful murder. Firstly, what do the police say? After the headline in the Daily Mail you may think that they came to the conclusion that it was the game that set Warren off on his murderous way. However the conclusion that the police arrived at is that the motive was robbery. It turns out that Warren Leblanc had, in actual fact, a £75 drugs fuelled debt to a local gang when he lured his erstwhile friend into the park that night, and originally intended merely to rob him. The police report makes no mention of ‘Manhunt’ whatsoever. This may be because the game was discovered in Stefan’s room, rather than that of the killer. Both of these pertinent facts were absent from the Mail’s front page the day this story ran.

And one must ask, how was it that Mrs. Pakeerah missed the fact her own 14 year old son owned this ultra-violent game, which he could only have acquired if an adult had purchased it for him.

“But is the game any good?” I hear you cry. Quite simply, no. ‘Manhunt’ is one of those games that are the key stumbling blocks in the path of truly adult games. Computer games are now reaching the point where mature themes, meaning detailed, involving stories that can deal with events in the real world, and portray realistic reactions to them, are becoming possible. Yet some developers insist on pouring out games that are aimed only at fuelling the testosterone driven adolescent fantasies of teenage sadists. When you consider tack like ‘Manhunt’ in the light of games like ‘Half-Life 2′, with its compelling narrative interwoven through beautiful, breathtaking scenery, you realise just how tawdry ‘Manhunt’ really is.

The consensus at the IGDA meeting this year was that the game was merely “a rubbish game with a layer of crunchy ultra-violence slapped on top”. No doubt the loss of such a young child as Stefan Pakeerah was a tragedy in its own right, but the true tragedy here is twofold. Almost overnight the game, whose sales had been a mere trickle before, started flying off the shelves of those few shops who hadn’t banned it, the concept of censorship lending the game a certain cachet. Even worse, in the words of Rob Fahey of the IGDA, is the way in which “the games industry ‘close ranks’ to defend it [Manhunt] when its an aberration compared to most games – do you see Stephen Spielberg defending hardcore porn films?”

There are many well-documented stories of the media blaming video games for the world’s woes. They blame the twin-towers terrorist attack on Microsoft, who trained the pilots with their flight simulator software. They blame Doom for the shootings at Columbine High School, because the game where you openly flaunt weapons helped the boys secretively plan their murderous rampage. There is often claimed to be a direct link between the American sniper incident and videogames, because the target shooting skills of the sniper were developed from videogames, and nothing to do with the comprehensive rifle training he received from the US army. The simple truth is that it takes more than just games to transform ordinary people into murderers.

According to the tabloids we should currently be inundated by hordes of slavering, violence obsessed gamers. However as this plague has yet to develop maybe we should take what they are saying with a pinch of salt. When a game player unglues him (or her) self from the computer monitor and doesn’t find a machine gun lying at their feet, the suspension of disbelief is broken. It takes planning and training to carry out acts like these. Saying that violent games turn people into killers is the same as saying that people exposed to Islam will become terrorists. There is no more violence in most games than there is in movies, or horror books. In fact even the U.S court of appeal wrote, “(the idea that) there is a strong likelihood that minors who play violent videogames will suffer a deleterious effect on their psychological health is simply not supported in record.” In other words, videogames are not the cause of violence.

What this really comes down to is the parents, and the worldview that they impart onto their children. If the parents don’t take the time to talk to their children explain to them right and wrong, then how will the child know what he or she should do? How many parents explain to their child that the game is not real; that in real life you can’t do everything you can in the game? While violence sells it does not educate, and unfortunately in this day and age ‘upbringing by Playstation’ is becoming a more and more common phenomenon as parents’ time constraints get the better of them.

All games have a strict rating system in place, called ESBN. This system is designed to prevent games from falling into the hands of minors, and yet often when a child is refused a game by the management the parent, even after the rating system has been explained to them, buys the game anyway. Parents need to be educated more about what they are buying, instead of buying whatever game the kids ask for; maybe they need to consider what they want their children to be seeing. Would you let a child of 12-14, or even younger, watch hardcore porn or an 18 rated movie? Then maybe you shouldn’t let them play an 18 rated game. The stereotype that games are just for kids is badly out of date, and maybe it’s time parents started to take more responsibility for what their children play on.

In every group there are a few who don’t fit in with the social norm. Is it true that these people can be influenced by violent videogames? No doubt. But is this the root cause of their affliction? No. Books, movies, rough and tumble play; all of these blend reality and fiction. What people need to accept is that they must take responsibility for their own actions, and that maybe societies ills are rooted in larger problems than a small animated character shooting another small animated character.

Daniel Robson runs http://www.shock-therapy.org where he offers his own freeware, as well hosting freeware for Symbian UIQ 7.0 phones, especially the Sony Ericsson PX00 series.

Let me mention the subject of Home Schooling. What thought immediately comes to mind? There have always been many views of home schooling. There are varieties of opinions ranging from great parents to troublemakers. Most of the negative thoughts of home schooling are based on rumors and preconceived ideas. Out of all thoughts about home schooling, socialization is one of the first things that come to mind.
The most debated topic among home schoolers and non-home schoolers is this issue of adequate socialization for home schooled children. Some think that home schoolers do not get enough socialization. They feel since the children are home for school this makes the child become socially deprived. Home schooled children are not socially deprived.

As a home schooling parent, and from my personal experience my children are more social at times than I am. Many studies support the home school academic benefit, but what about social aspect? Are home schoolers missing proper socialization? Is there a right solution for the socialization problem? Is there a socialization problem at all? With the growth of home schoolers seen recently are we bound to have future generations of socially deprived misfits?

What is home schooling anyway? Why is the choice a debated topic? Is it just a passing trend? Home schooling is home education. This educational decision is a parents’ choice and right to teach his or her children one on one at home. This option is legal in all fifty states. Home schooling options have grown greatly due to many accredited curriculum providers targeting the large growing market of home schooling. These curriculum companies are providing parents with easy, different and even customized options for home schooling.

Home schooling just trend right? No. In 1999, the National Center for Education Statistics reported an estimated 850,000 students nationwide were being home schooled (10). The numbers are estimated to grow due to the popularity and the knowledge of home school benefits being explored. More parents are taking the home school route for the safety and academic achievements of their children. Home education is nothing new; it has been around for years. According to Home4schoolgear.com the famous Artist Leonardo Di Vinci, and Inventors Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison and few presidents of prestigious colleges were home educated along with many other famous trailblazers (Home4schoolgear.com). Only in recent years has home education been media news. Home schooling as shown its solid foundation in successful results through time. Still there are those that have debated the choice of home education.

Home education has grown so much that most cities have home school groups for support, courses, activities and much more. There is also Home School Legal Defense Association to support families with home school legal issues. There are home schooling magazines, clothing and more. Will the growth of home schooling have an effect on public schools? Some feel that home schooling directly effects the public schools. There have been arguments that home schooling can have an effect on public schools in positive or a negative ways.

Paul T. Hill, author of “How Home Schooling Will Change Public Education” says, “Home schooling limits public school enrollments, therefore it reduces the money provided to school districts. Home schooling also reduces growth in public schools, and decreases the pressure for new buildings and staffs”(Hill). The concern of money for public schools has been a raising issue for years. Home schooling does not have a major effect on it. The problem of public school money issues is caused by a number of factors other than home schooling. There have been various news reports of public school officials misusing the money, and the debates to cut unnecessary cost and create better options for public schools. From a concerned parents’ point of view the issue of money in public schools is not a brow raising reason to choose public schooling. For the quality of education provided at home government, money is no comparison.

Socialization is one highly debated topic for home schoolers. As a home schooling parent, I often answer socialization questions. “You can’t mention home education without the s’ word coming up,” says Doug Phillips, director of Federal Relations at the National Center for Home Education (3). People usually question the socialization because they do not under stand how home school works. Many feel that home schoolers do not socialize with their peers so they become “weird” or sociably immature. Although the stereotypes are heard and believed, parents are still choosing to home school their children for reasons reflecting the quality of socialization in public schools, such as peer pressure, violence, sexual harassment and many other problems.

David Wagner says, “In the seventies, Christians home schooled because secular values being promoted in schools. In the eighties, parents home schooled for no particular religious belief. Others are trying to drop out of the prevailing culture”(3). We chose to home school our children because of the poor quality of public schools in the area we lived in. We also saw frequent news reports of school incidents involving violence and even sexual acts. We saw the advantage of instilling morals and values with the use of home education that was not available in public schools. We liked the academic freedom of choice to including subjects forbidden at the public schools.

While socialization was a factor, our decision to home school was not based only on creating a social safe haven for our children, but rather allowing them to excel academically and having the advantage of academic freedom. Despite the reasons for home schooling, it is the parents’ deliberate choice to remove their child from public school social settings as they see fit. Considering that thought, Dennis Helming, an education writer, believes the most miss the point of whether the protection of children from bad influences can cause a backlash to rebellion (3).

I have found this false among home schooling teenagers. All of the home schooled teenagers I have observed and interacted with are pleasant and responsible. They see the danger in rebellion, and choose not to indulge in it. Home schooling parents also do not hide what they are protecting their children from; rather they take the approach to show them what they are keeping them from. Children naturally wanting to be safe, if given a choice usually end up choosing not to be around things that cause them harm such as peer pressure and violence. Aimee Howd, a home schooled child and author of Confessions of a home-schooled kid says, “Home schooling was once considered a choice for the antisocial but home school achievers are challenging the old stereotypes”(3).

Yes, most home schooled children do spend a lot of time at home, however it does not mean the door is barred shut and the child is forbidden to see anyone. As home schooling parents having the natural need to enjoy adult communication, that is not a desired option! The socialization provided to home schoolers is broader than the public schools can allow. While public schooled children are confined to their peers, a teacher and a classroom home schooled children are traveling and learning by visiting museums, and other educational centers.

Simply going to the grocery store is a lesson in teaching social manners, mathematics, nutrition, and more. Most home schooled children are involved in different activities and community groups. Randal Rockney, author of The Home Schooling Debate: Why Some Parents Choose It, Others Oppose It reports that 90 percent of home schooled children spent more than 20 percent per month in organized community activities (3). I have found that many including my own children are in various different extra curricular groups, which also is a supplement to education.

For instance during the school year our local home schooling group has a coop called Masters Lyceum this is a program with a variety of classes from ballet to science. Every Friday morning, we get dressed and head off to school like the public schooled children. Many children and parents participate in the coop. Children have their own class schedule for each semester. The Masters Lyceum is used as a time for our children get together to learn, to be a part of a group, and learn from other adults. During the summer our children are enrolled in a number of community fun programs like any other child.

Rockney also says, “Children tend to be less segregated by age when involved in home schooling activities.” (3). My children are around children of all ages. It allows them to mature in their communication. My children have friends in various grades, which allow them to socialize on different levels. They learn social boundaries by being around a mixed group of children. Nancy Gibbs, author of Home Sweet School: Seeking Excellence, Isolation, Or Just Extra “Family Time,” says, ” Home School parents agree that the socialization in public schools is not all healthy, it may be competitive, intimidating and violent (4).

I personally do not think that public school socialization is all bad, but I do think that the majority of socialization in public school is improper and stressful for children and therefore unhealthy. When a child comes home crying about the treats of bullies, it causes an entire home to be effected in some way. It is potentially disastrous in the future. We have seen this as one of the causes in the increase of violence in public schools. Who can ever forget the traumatic event of Columbine? There are tons of talk shows with disturbed adults confronting their childhood bullies. This is not the socialization I want my children to experience.

Despite personal debatable views, let us look at the research conducted on home schoolers. Most research studies conducted for finding out if home schoolers are socially equal to non-home schoolers have had different methods, yet similar conclusions. Very few recently conclude differently. In 1984, Tisard and Huges studied 4 year olds at home and in public schools. They stated that home schooled children could not learn how to get along with other children, to be a member of a group, to separate from their families and to relate and communicate with strange adults (Van Galen 6). Our home schooling coop alone proves this statement untrue. This provides all of the educational needs that Tisard and Huges argued that home schooling parents could not provide.

It seems that times have changed, in a 1992 study on home school socialization was reported in a 299-page thesis written by Larry Edward Shyers. Dr. Shyers measured the self-esteem of 70 home schooled children, compared it with 70 traditionally schooled children, and found no significant difference in the groups. Dr. Shyers looked at how home schooled children treated other children by direct observation, using a “blind” procedure, found that home-schooled children had significantly fewer problem behaviors than traditionally schooled children did when playing in mixed groups of children did. Dr. Shyers concluded that contact with adults, rather than contact with other children, is most important in developing social skills in children.

This is not surprising because our children are more likely to be in a social setting with a mixed group than those public schooled children are. They in the “real world” environment on more frequent bases than their public schooled peers. Thomas Smedley completed a similar experimental design. His study evaluated communication skills, socialization, and daily living skills. Smedley found that the home-schooled children were more mature scoring in the 84th percentile, while the public school children scored in the 27th percentile (Bunday 9). While home schooled children are home they learn daily living skills more often than public schooled children do. Larger families have the children in the family all coordinate to work together and learn life skills and communication skills. It is an advantage to a child being taught one on one to grasp communication, daily life skills and socialization.

Brian D. Ray, Ph.D., produces another research finding in a book he wrote. The findings in this book concluded that the negative critics have claimed that home schooling makes weak adults have no solid foundational facts. The book reports that the adults who were home schooled were much more civically involved in the United States. Adults who were home educated express viewpoints or beliefs that is about as strong as that of the general public (10). Adults who were home schooled have the same socialization status or higher than those there were not home schooled. We have seen this proven in our listing of famous adults and other trailblazers in our society. They could not make a difference in our world without being strong adults.

We have heard from the researchers, and personal opinions from parents, but what about the children? In an article written by Lisa Russell, she tells of her public schooled days “I found the phonics and reading lessons to be incredibly boring. Luckily, the girl behind me felt the same way. We would chat back and forth. We were both asked to stay in at recess, and sit quietly in our desks for the entire 25 minutes, because “We are not here to socialize, young ladies.” Those words were repeated by just about every teacher I’ve ever had. If we’re not there to socialize, then why were we there? If schools weren’t made for socializing, then why on earth would anyone assume that home schoolers were missing out?” (Russell)

I remember myself as being a talker in class. That was my whole reason for going to school! I was told that we were not in school to socialize repeatedly also. These words are repeated in public schools often. Children in public school being told this begin to socialize out of disobedience. Is this proper socialization to teach a child? No. This is not, simply because in the class setting the teacher demands respect, which causes some to rebel and secretly socialize by whispering, or notes to each other. This can cause resentment for teachers and authority among students in the class. This problem could eventually snowball into disrespecting adults and any authority.

From my own personal experience with secretly communicating with my peers, it takes away from listening in class, and puts the priorities out to order for attending public school. Lisa asks the appropriate question in defense of home schoolers missing out. I do not think home schoolers are missing out simply because their day is not a typical day which involves freely socializing on different levels and not just their peers. This then teaches home schoolers to be responsible and mature. Children cannot learn to be responsible and mature while rebelling against their teacher to socialize in a classroom setting. Another young fifteen-year-old home schooled girl named Teresa expresses, “Many people are curious about the average day of a home schooler and are surprised to find out isn’t an “average day”.

My family chose homeschooling is to avoid the dull routines that schools create. I usually have lessons with my mom in the morning, take care of my siblings, spend time with other home schoolers in the area, and read. Most importantly, my day belongs to me. I have a quote on my wall in my room, “Learning involves everyone everyday. Learning and living are not separate activities. Learning cannot be contained in place or time” (Teresa). This fifteen-year-old is a good representation of home schoolers. Most of them do not have a regular 8-3 schedule like public school kids. Each home school environment is different. Their days incorporate more of in the real world, more than just a classroom full of peers. It involves many different activities, which allows them to experience more and learn in different ways.

The quote she has on her wall is very true. You can not avoid or confine learning. You can not possibly teach a child everything that is needed to survive in a classroom setting. Yes you can learn academics, but life lessons that you will use as an adult are usually learned while interacting with family outside of a classroom. Socializing with friends is a part of her day because that is natural and a child needs that. It however is not all of her day because sitting a classroom full of children will not teach socialization. I asked my children what they liked about being home schooled and they expressed that they liked the flexibility and not being confined to a classroom.

They explained to me that you could not eat breakfast in a public school at your desk like you could in home schooling. Being twins my daughters liked the fact that they are not forced to separate in to different classes if they are not ready for it and they can be with their little brother. They enjoy teaching their little brother what they have learned. This gives them a sense of importance and responsibility. They did not once say once that they are lacking time with their friends. They have ample time with friends during the week with the Masters Lyceum, church, and other activities.

In my conclusion, I will end with a story posted on an Internet message board, at http://www.homeschoolchristian.com:
Posted By: Cat.
Date: Tuesday, 3 October 2000, at 9:58 a.m.

This is a scene from a local park about a year and a half ago…(a local park back home!) 2 moms were sitting on a bench not too far from me. They were discussing the “homeschool movement” and how they couldn’t see the benefits of homeschooling because of the “S” factor–I WILL NOT say that word! They went on and on about how homeschooled kids wouldn’t be able to come to the park and play. They went on and on about how you can identify a homeschooled kid because they tend to be withdrawn…the whole time watching my 3 homeschooled children play quite nicely with their 5 children. Tag, races, pushing each other on the swing. I was soaking it all up. Never once did I say a word.

When it was time to leave, one of the moms thanked my kids for playing so nicely with their kids and asked, “Where do you go to school?” I knew it was our time to shine…Kristin said, “Oh, we homeschool.” and turned to walk away, leaving that mom staring at me–because she KNEW I had heard their whole conversation. I nodded and said, “Have a nice day.”

Talk about a PRICELESS moment! (Cat)

In my own personal experience, that I have seen home schoolers do not lack socialization. Researching studies support this conclusion. I feel that socialization among home schoolers is potentially more advanced than those isolated to a social settings in public schools. There is a time for socialization and a time not to socialize. Home schooling has provided an opportunity to show my children proper socialization skills for life. Home schooling has many myths; socialization being one that is exposed. Home schoolers will continue to prove the stereotypes wrong.

Works Cited

Bunday, Karl M. Learn in Freedom! Research on Home schooling Socialization Socialization: A Great Reason Not to Go to School.1999. 29 May 2004 <http://learninfreedom.org/socialization.html>.

Cat.” “Socialization” Stories” Homeschooledchristian.com 3 Oct 2000, 7 June 2004 <http://www.homeschoolchristian.com/Features/SocializationStories.html>.

“Famous Home schoolers” Famous People who were Homeschooled.
2004. Home4schoolgear.com 29 May. 2004 <http://www.home4schoolgear.com/famoushomeschooler.html>.

Gibbs, Nancy. “Home sweet school: seeking excellence, isolation, or just extra “family time,” more and more parents are doing the teaching themselves.” Time 144:18 (1994) 62+.

Expanded Academic ASAP Infotrac. U of Missouri., St.Louis. 27 May 2004 <http://web2.infotrac.galegroup.com>.

Hill, Paul T. “How Home Schooling Will Change Public Education”
Hoover Digest, Summer 2000. 28 May 2004
<http://www.brook.edu/Views/Articles/Hill/2000Hoover.htm>.

“Home schooling in the United States 1999.” 2 Oct 2001 National Center for Education Statistics. 29 May 2004 <http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2001/HomeSchool/>

Howd, Aimee. “Confessions of a home-schooled kid.” Insight on the News 14.33 (1998): 18+. Expanded Academic ASAP. Infotrac. U of Missouri., St.Louis. 27 May 2004 <http://web2.infotrac.galegroup.com>.

Ray, Brian D., Ph.D. Home Educated and Now Adults: Their Community and Civic Involvement, Views About Homeschooling, and Other Traits. Nashville: Broadman & Holman: 2003.

Rockney, Randal. “The home schooling debate: why some parents choose it, others oppose it.” Insight on the News 18:2 (2002): 3+. Expanded Academic ASAP. Infotrac. U of Missouri., St.Louis. 27 May 2004 <http://web2.infotrac.galegroup.com>.

Robertson, Brian. “Is home schooling in a class of its own?” Insight on the News 10.42 (1994): 6+. Expanded Academic ASAP. Infotrac. U of Missouri., St.Louis. 27 May 2004 <http://web2.infotrac.galegroup.com>.

Russell, Lisa. “No Thank You, We Don’t Believe in Socialization!” TnHomeEd.com 29 May 2004 <http://www.tnhomeed.com/LRSocial.html>.

Theresa, “Homeschool Girl” In focus TeenWire.com 21 Sept 2001, 7 June 2004 <http://www.teenwire.com/infocus/articles/if_20010921p125.asp>.

Van Galen, Jane , ed Homeschooling: Political, Historical, and Pedagoical Perpsectives. Norwood: Ablex Publishing, 1991.

About the Author:
Tawanna is a Home Schooling mother of identical Twin girls. She is a freelance graphic designer, and writes articles on homeschooling and graphic, and web design. Visit her sites at http://www.tsmiles.com and http://www.geocities.com/homeschooledmultiples/

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