How come more Americans are not in support of single sex schools?

[d454365]

it is is proven to be better for all students if schools were separated by gender yet for some reason they don't get much support. Why? The only reason I get is that "boys and girls need to get to know each other". That is not what school is for. They can do that outside of school and in college. Is it really that important a child starts dating or loses their virginity at the age of 14?

 

 

Also, people say it would cause a kid to grow up awkward around the opposite sex. This is pure rubbish as plenty of people that went to single sex schools said they get along with the opposite sex just fine. I have even read some nonsense that said single sex schools "turn people homosexual" which of course is complete BS. This idea that one is completely sheltered from the opposite gender and never, ever associates with them if attending a single sex school is rather ridiculous. And rather untrue, based on loads of peoples experiences.

 

 

One thing I have noticed is that it seems mostly Americans that are flat out revolted at the idea of single sex schools. Other countries seem more open

[Lurkeraspect]

it is is proven to be better for all students if schools were separated by gender yet for some reason they don't get much support. Why? The only reason I get is that "boys and girls need to get to know each other". That is not what school is for. They can do that outside of school and in college. Is it really that important a child starts dating or loses their virginity at the age of 14?

 

 

Also, people say it would cause a kid to grow up awkward around the opposite sex. This is pure rubbish as plenty of people that went to single sex schools said they get along with the opposite sex just fine. I have even read some nonsense that said single sex schools "turn people homosexual" which of course is complete BS. This idea that one is completely sheltered from the opposite gender and never, ever associates with them if attending a single sex school is rather ridiculous. And rather untrue, based on loads of peoples experiences.

 

 

One thing I have noticed is that it seems mostly Americans that are flat out revolted at the idea of single sex schools. Other countries seem more open

 

While I'm American, not living in the U.S. I don't necessarily see a big rush for Europeans to send this kids to same sex schools. There are certainly those options available in the U.S. In the form of private schools, which the average American doesn't have the budget for.

 

I've raised one child that had a traditional boy/girl education, went to college, became an engineer, makes a fine living and overall turned out just fine. I certainly don't feel they we're slighted or ripped off because they didn't attend a same sex school. Nor do I think (or have I read) attending a same sex school "turn people homosexual." That's idiocay.

 

Hey, to each their own. If that's the educational enviornmental you think is best for YOUR kid, go for it. Free country and all...

[Tayla]

Op, perhaps not altogether true. As i reside in the states , no one i know has said that gender specific schooling is off limits. Its true that in studies- gender specific classes show that females are more team oriented and thereby collaborate ... which is helpful for each to learn from the other. In the male schools they are more analytical and competitive, which also encourages problem solving but lacks group help. By combining the strengths of contributions you gain an array of thinking, collaborating and problem solving, all necessary tools in education. So explain if you will how any one of these ways is less then welcoming for a growing mind. I spent a few years in private school and must say I do feel that the girls were definitely more helpful. By the time we were blended into boy/girl classes it was harder to contribute as the boys were cut throat and dismissive of a different way of problem solving. There again its my experience and perception at that time. Equality in education seems to blend and so far its working....

[littleplanet]

There are good arguments both sides.

A gender-specific learning environment can be beneficial, for all sorts of reasons.

However, the segregation of sexes can also be detrimental, in the long run.

I've never been a big believer in any process that produces a mindset which promotes the idea that the other gender becomes a 'mystery.'

(as romantic as this can be propagated)

It is not a matter of mystery, but of knowledge and understanding.

 

Boys and girls engaged in the process of learning how to be good and useful human beings together, leads to men and women doing much the same.

After all, many workplaces provide integrated environments in which people do all sorts of useful things. This is not only ideal, but practical.

 

One of the more interesting by-products of socialist socio-political regimes was to combine the strengthsof both genders. 'Comrades' they may have been. But they were also egalitarian in their opportunity.

It worked as well as it did - not perfectly, but at least proved that such a thing was possible.

 

Myself - I always attended co-ed institutions. I had no desire whatsoever to learn in an all-male environment. Girls were always some form of distraction (I was rather a romantic boy) but I enjoyed their civilizing affect upon the rampant testosterone present in that environment.

 

Also, in a single-sex learning environment, certain ideologies specific to each gender can become amplified and intensified - not necessarily a good thing. We happen to live in a world pickled in the combination of both genders....each playing their useful part. That's life in the real world....not specified according to one side or the other.

 

I think we can look to the evolution (over human history) of the natural family. It is most often a combination of some sort, of both genders.

In as intimate a space as that, all kinds of learning is going on. We do not learn only in an academic space - we learn everywhere. I like the idea of any academic institution reflecting this.

 

Male and female is not the same at all.....yet share a multitude of commonality. I would rather that fact be encouraged in young people while they are busy learning the ropes - rather than be separated.

 

America never had any reason to evolve in any particular segregationistic manner. The vast majority of single-gender schools tend to be rather expensive. This implies eliteism, and privilege. If anywhere in its history it had decided that this was a good, a right and proper thing - then I suppose this would have become a universal policy. It never did.

Like it or not, the tendency is to lean toward the bi-lateral.

A democratic process? Even more so, as time goes by.

Edited April 25, 2015 by littleplanet

[BearMox]

Interesting. Anyone know where I can find reading on the topic of gender secluded pedagogy and education?

[littleplanet]

Interesting. Anyone know where I can find reading on the topic of gender secluded pedagogy and education?

 

 

 

You might start with Christina Hoff Sommers: "The War on Boys."

Christina is a philosophy professor with long tenure, as well as a very active lecturing itinerary.

She has some very interesting things to say about twenty-first century attitudes toward current educational policies.

......and for a real interesting adventure, check out some of her more rabid detractors.

Have fun!

[turnera]

IME, the only single-sex schools in America are PRIVATE schools, which means you have to PAY for them, and pay a LOT...and 90% of Americans either can't or won't spend that kind of money when the free schools are right down the street.

[xxoo]

Is it really that important a child starts dating or loses their virginity at the age of 14?

 

We often prefer what we know and are accustomed to. I went to coed schools, as did my parents. We didn't start dating nor having sex at 14. I simply don't see any need to change our system in favor of single sex schools, as I enjoyed coed schools and my children do, too.