Yeah the more I think about it the weirdness of a "homeschooler" would be lessened by the parents ability to demonstrate good social skills. Also effort in encouraging the kids to participate in sports, music, dances, etc. Basically finding a good balance in the amount of shielding from the world.

You also bring up an excellent question, is normal better. Maybe what I perceive as weird socially might make for a better person. Its probably not that easy, or black and white. Plus many of the most successful people in the world are quite unusual. I guess my concerns come from my experiences in graduate school, and now in the professional world. (and i admit i might only notice the home-schooled people because they are weird and it comes up in conversation.) I might just assume my "normal" colleagues are not home-schooled. But I am constantly amazed by some of these guys that are extremely intelligent and knowledgeable but lack the ability to work with others that are different than them. it becomes most problematic with clients. there are seriously two people we avoid giving face time with clients because of their social skills. coincidentally i know that they were home-schooled. granted, i think they would be pretty odd regardless but still. I am painting with a broad brush. again, im sure it is not just the fault of homeschooling.

I would love to hear from some people that were home schooled. To hear if they honestly feel like they can easily socialize with those that arent anything like them. An if so how it was that they got to that point. I would especially like to hear from a type 'A', extroverted, hit of the party type person. (not that this is an ideal type of person, just atypical in my mind).

I dont think the middle class neighborhoods are filled with this vibrant criminal class. Living in atlanta, I read about many schools in "outer city slums" that have horrible crime problems. but the majority of the middle to upper class neighborhoods are good in that sense with occasional isolated incidents. i would assume that idaho couldn't be that bad? how bad can a state with a high percentage of mormon population be?

i hear from my older friends that have kids in private high schools and kids i teach at church that drugs and immorality aren't missing in private schools. there are just more expensive drugs and nicer homes and hallways for immorality to take place. these sort of stories push me towards the home school option. but i also ask myself if i would overly shielding my kids from the world. if they would be better prepared to go off on their own to college having learned to hopefully be good examples to those at a smaller, less intense situation in high school. Because believe it or not college is much worse.. sure you lose a lot of the criminal types but all the other stuff is only more intense.
i would love to hear more about how you view the subject. you seem to have a refreshing viewpoint. its very interesting to hear how negative you felt towards your high school education since we both went to the same school. I never really thought too much about it. apart from knowing a lot of it was a waste of time. but i felt i had the opportunity to advance myself as much as the teenage version of myself could want.
i guess i enjoyed having the opportunity to be a bit of a slacker while i had the chance. especially since now i cant. you know you wouldn't have traded playing soccer for 6 hours a day for being stuck at home with your mom doing schoolwork!!
but seriously i would like to hear more on this. you have me on the fence from our earlier conversations.