I remember by kid's PS approved social skills at work in my house: the twelve-year-old telling me I had no right to go into her room, to know with whom she was hanging around; snotty replies to my requests. The change was radical, and coincided with the start of her middle school year. That must have been the "magic" they spoke of: "Goodbye dad and mom, I belong to them, now."
We were informed the nine-year-old needed drugs. This beautiful, creative kid couldn't pay attention, was a bully, and intimidated her teachers. Butthole teachers: THE KID COULDN"T READ!!!!! But they only cared about her ability to be an obedient object.
We homeschooled from that time, and now that the kids are in college where being smart and polite isn't seen as a sign of weakness; they're popular, trusted , confident , and respected by their instructors and friends.
The public schools' five-year socialization plan is a destroyer of otherwise useful lives.
Yeah, they become good little socialists.....LOL.
I cannot wait to use that line the next time some moron asks me, "Well, aren't you concerned about socialization?"