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The Socialization Trap

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The Socialization Trap
by Rick Boyer
145-Page Paperback

Reviewed by Vicki Bentley, HEAV's speaker and special program's coordinator. 

If you homeschool, you've probably heard the challenge, "What about socialization?" Well, The Socialization Trap by Rick Boyer is the definitive answer. Using scriptural principles, documented research, and anecdotal evidence, Rick presents an overwhelming case in favor of a home discipleship model of social learning, in his own entertaining and down-to-earth style.

Rick outlines many of the myths of socialization, then spends much of the book exploding those myths. This is not just one man's opinion that age segregation is a poor model that harms our children, or a parroted thesis on the benefits of homeschooling. He cites public school teacher surveys, former secretary of education Bill Bennett, college sociology texts, New York State Teacher of the Year John Taylor Gatto, and many other non-homeschool-related sources, and recounts many eye-opening personal accounts of children stumbling down the slippery slope of age segregation and family separation. 

While most of us like to think that schools exist to teach children the "Three R's" over a twelve-year period, did you realize "John Holt has found that it only takes about thirty hours for a person to learn to read," and "John Taylor Gatto claims that plenty of evidence exists that people can learn to read, write and do basic arithmetic—in other words, learn to be self-educators—in about one hundred hours"? So what is the purpose of the other 11½ years of compulsory "education"? Rick explains why you, as a homeschooling parent, should still be concerned about what is taught in public schools, and how society's paradigm still affects your family.

I appreciate Rick's objective, calm (and brief) appraisal of television as a socializer in the lives of our children. He doesn't approach this subject with his eyes or mind closed, but as a former viewer who now has better things to do with his time. His non-judgmental examination of the influence of "the god with the glass face" is designed to encourage us to evaluate the effects of our viewing habits on our families. 

The Socialization Trap is not just an exposé of the agenda of public schools, but of any influence intended to divide the family. He concludes by outlining some natural principles for creating a healthy plan for social learning for our children.

This is not a book of boring statistics, but a conversational—yet powerful—appeal from one parent to another to examine where our families are headed. This might as well be your next-door neighbor chatting with you over the fence, but with a passion to save your family. Rick writes very conversationally and with much humor and great wisdom.

If you are a new or prospective homeschooler, this book will encourage you in the "why" of homeschooling. If you are a veteran, this book is reassurance that you made an excellent choice. If you're looking for a thoughtful answer for family members and onlookers who worry themselves(or you!) over the social development of your children, you have to read this book (you may want to keep a few extra copies on hand to lend out or give away—it's that influential). 

Order your copy today! For the month of May, we are offering The Socialization Trap for $6 (members)/$7 (non-members), plus shipping. That's a savings of more than 20%!