The Well-Adjusted Child

The Well-Adjusted Child: The Social Benefits of Homeschooling by Rachel Gathercole is a homeschooling advocacy book arguing that home-educated children often develop strong social skills and community ties. Through interviews, research summaries, and anecdotes, it challenges the stereotype of the “unsocialized homeschooler” and highlights varied social experiences homeschoolers have. Parents considering or defending homeschooling appreciate its reassuring tone and talking points. It’s best for adults, especially those new to homeschooling or facing skeptical friends and relatives. The book reflects the perspectives of families who choose homeschooling, so it’s not a neutral study, but it can be a helpful confidence boost. Reading it alongside more data-driven reports provides balance.