My experience with homeschooling is similar to what you state. I believe the kids are also not as socially independent and self assured as other kids. But I believe the reason can be found in the parents. I think there are two types of homeschooling parents. One type is lazy, does not really teach their kids that much, doesn’t take them to homeschool classes, and really doesn’t want to be bothered. Therefore you rarely see these kids. But I think they are out there.
The other type of parent is overly involved, participates in all aspects of schooling, has a desire for the kids to excel and sometimes pushes too hard, IMO. But overall, the kids are over guided by the parents, who control way too much. So the kids are not allowed to differentiate and develop their own independence. The academic accomplishments are outstanding, but that is not all that is required to be successful.
Oh, and the religious theme is very strong too. I also thought some of the parents were way to conservative for my taste. And some had a major problem with authority, or so it seemed to me. They didn’t like the school district dictating policy and telling the parents when the kids had to be in class, when the parents could visit, blah, blah, blah. Just another side of an overly controlling parent. I’m glad my kids are now in public school.
