I'm going on personal experience with over 50 home schooled children of various backgrounds. I suppose I could have done a statistical analysis with some, as only 30 are needed, but to what end? To show what I already know?
With all due respect to you as an educator, statistics have nothing to do with the efficacy of homeschooling.
I get that you're a person educated to educate, but that doesn't mean that you are exclusively qualified for the job. You are better qualified, but you lack what mom has; a great love for her child. For what mom lacks, there are plenty of resources and home school groups to provide for the child.
My whole point was that home schooling is a very real and viable option for parents that are concerned for, and want to take an active part in, their child's education.
The point of my rebuttal is that it is more of a myth, than proven fact, that children who are home schooled "lack social skills, structure, peer interaction, diversity in activities and exposure."
However, if you want statistics, see below. You won't find social skills measured here.:
http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000010/200410250.asp
http://home-school.lovetoknow.com/St..._United_States
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/homeschool/
With that said, I know plenty of people, adults and children, who went to public, private, and parochial schools who have no social skills what so ever.
I never knew that going to a theater was an outdoor event. Even if it were, what is so wrong with learning from and with family?