Unorganized rant ahead:
Homeschooling doesn't make kids awkward and anti-social. Parents who never let their children interact with other people make kids awkward and anti-social.
Where you go to school should be just one part of your life growing up. Parents should consider where their kids are playing, where they go when on outings, who they hang out with and what clubs/social groups they are a part of. If a parent is doing it right, then their kid should be regularly seeing people who aren't related to them and learning social skills.
A kid who is able to learn at a faster pace (homeschooling takes up less of their schedule) is given more time to spend with other people. This is infinitely better than being locked in a room for six and a half hours with the only people to interact with being kids of just about your exact age and you aren't even allowed to talk to them during class!
This actually HURTS a child's social skills! As I mentioned before, kids in public school spend most of their time with children of the same age. They don't really learn how to get along with people who are older or younger than them. While a homeschooled kid is taught that they can be friends and speak confidently with people of any age.
Public schooled children are also easier targets for bullying (which can require therapy to move past in some cases) given less time to sleep and relax (which can cause developmental issues, illness and injuries) they are given the same 'one size fits all' curriculum, which does not give them space to explore their talents or help with their weaknesses, they are not encouraged to be as creative, they spend less time with their family (which, naturally weakens family bonds and can hurt relationships and values) and they are taught whatever moral and political beliefs the school system (and government) decides they should believe with no encouragement to explore these topics on their own and come to an informed opinion.
Public school does more to damage children than homeschooling ever will, thank you for coming to my TED talk.
A little louder for those in the back.
