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I was under the impression that socialization under homeschooling was proceeding through formation of regional networks, much like AYSO for youth soccer.

Socialization for that matter can also proceed through such things as soccer camps, nature walks, vacation bible schools, etc. I'd like to hear more about it because as you said, the biggest negative that public school proponents bring up about homeschooling is the issue of socialization.

People assume that homeschooling is about kids being home isolated from the world. In that sense, homeschooling may be a misnomer. It may be more aptly described as "family schooling".

as you said, the biggest negative that public school proponents bring up about homeschooling is the issue of socialization.

Socialization?

Horse hocky. I hear this mantra constantly, but then I walk around the neighborhood past the park and the school yard and they are VACANT!

The kids are all indoors watching TV, playing with their electronic games, or (God knows) worse. Ask their parents about this phenomena and you get one form of embarrassed bluster or another, all of which come down to some variation of fear or surrender. They say they are AFRAID to let their children out to play! Is that frightening or what? !!

Why? Here's a clue ... parents prefer to surrender as much resposibility as possible to the "system".

I was under the impression that socialization under homeschooling was proceeding through formation of regional networks, much like AYSO for youth soccer.

Many areas of the country have homeschool support groups that meet and have group field trips, form sports teams, and just share information. Anyone can form one...you just need another homeschooler who is looking to pool resources (frequently that resource is time: You plan the field trip to the zoo, and I'll plan the one to the museum), wants to learn about different homeschooling options, or whatever.

Some homeschool groups even pitch in money and hire music teachers, art teachers, etc.

The groups are self-governing, and certainly not anywhere as organized (on a large scale) like soccer groups.

Socialization is a non-issue for us. We don't want our son to adopt the values and standards of the typical American child. Now, we are concerned about providing him opportunities to interact and play with children his own age, but we choose when and where and with whom and under whose supervision. It's not left to chance, like it is at PS. Scouting is a great organization (I'm a Den Leader), and he has friends in public school, private school, and homeschools. He does Tae Kwan Do, and the homeschool kids get to go when the others are in PS, so they get individual attention. Many homeschool families are heavily involved in their church (many churches have support groups), and there are lots of opportunities there.

Good homeschool parents find ways for their children to interact with other kids, without their kids taking on the worst characteristics of the general child population.