Socialization and all that Jazz

So...socialization.  We've been homeschooling for about 8 months now, and among the homeschool community it is quite a joke to discuss this topic.  Mostly because it has been discussed over and over and OVER.  Blah blah blah.  We've been in public school and *ahem* I didn't see very much good socialization going on.  In fact, he learned more negative than positive in terms of behavior. 

All I have to say is that one person said to me today, "It is so neat that your son plays with younger kids so well."  Later on in the day, he's playing with an intellectual peer that is at least 3 years older than him, with another older gal, and three younger ones in tow. All playing fair, all playing well, all in harmony.  Socialization?  OH...that is what you call standing in line in school to wait to go to the bathroom and being told to "BE QUIET!" while in the hallway with people the exact same age as you?  Hmmm...

Free and natural, he's exuberant and happy.  I'm at peace because his innocence has returned as well as his trust in people, and his distrust for learning has disappeared. 

I'm learning myself, that the math facts, the reading, history and science are easy to teach, but life is another matter.  Like why people judges so harshly, have so much hate to spew, and are afraid of what they do not know.   And how do we prevent from becoming these people?  These are hard lessons.  I don't have a good teaching manual for these.