Gender separation in schools has been a controversy for decades in the United States and many other countries. People argue whether public schools should give a choice to parents to have single sex or mixed sex education. Single sex education has existed all around the United States and is common internationally. Public schools in the US are mostly coeducational; however, single sex schools occurred after the legislation of single sex schooling. Public single sex schools number has increased dramatically due to several causes. This paper views single sex education and mixed sex schools proponents, as well as opponents claims, and evidence for both. We ask whether the separation is beneficial, and why?
The start of segregated education needed legislative approval to expand, as it was opposed by many after the advent of two gender schools. There were three main reasons it affected increasing the number of public single sex schools. Primarily, many parents desired a place to send their children where they would not be affected by typical social norms that come from traditional gender-mixed schools. However, there were three stated reasons for single-sex school becoming popular again. Firstly, a book was published speaking about coeducational classes contributing to the issue effectively promoted single sex education. It was a big hit with proponents and effectively divided groups on the issue of single-sex and mixed-sex schools. Secondly, the American student failure contended in international comparisons. Finally, the third factor is the improvement of complex neuroimaging techniques in psychology, which has spurred asserts of significant contrasts between male's and female's brains, further allowing us to assume perhaps the genders should be separated for educational purposes ( Bigler, Signorella 661).
Single sex education proponents explain that separating students by gender improves student’s academic success. They also claim instructors in single-sex schools recorded improved academic achievement, diminished distraction in class, and the capacity to address the special learning styles of boys and girls as added benefits of single sex classes. Educators state that both sexes profit equally from single sex education. Proponents of single sex education argue that boys and girls have very different learning styles and interests because of innate differences in brain structure. Sources state, “The second reason that some schools implement singles education is based on the argument that, regardless of biological and neurological differences, girls and boys have very different social experiences and thus benefit by being separated in schools (Salomone 30).” Furthermore, experimental single sex programs in California indicate that separating boys and girls is not the main reason for students’ academic achievements. However, well organized systems, good relationships between the student and instructor, and finally beneficial sources were the highest contributing reasons that improved student academic outcomes. Studies reveal that single sex education alumni tend to have better SAT scores, attend college, and have jobs with higher paying salaries, as well (Billger para 8). This explains why some families choose single sex education over mixed sex classes. Some families see value in single sex schooling and will enroll their children in it in an effort to find them them the best education. So should parents have the option to choose how they want their child educated?
Opponents of same sex education advocate that separating students by gender might not meet equity and considered segregation. Currently, existing laws prohibit sex segregation, but after the No Child Left Behind Act, public schools showed a drastic rise in the number of single sex schools. Moreover, another legal issue surrounding single sex schools is the Equal Education Opportunities Act, which bans gender separation, revealing an increased interest in single-sex schools based on its mention in the Act (US Department of Education 37). Some people argue that having boys and girls in a mixed class would cause distractions because of the opposite sex. But what about students who are attracted to their same sex? Distractions would be equal for these individuals, and there would be no difference. Arguably, it would be discriminatory for these students, as well. Studies also have shown that girls have better performance than boys due to their different learning style. Opponents of single sex schooling state that separating boys and girls in school causes delays in social interactions between the genders, leaving children with undeveloped interpersonal social skills toward the opposite sex. Although single sex classes improve student’s academics achievements, if we do not build boys and girls social skills when they are in school, it will find it difficult to communicate and interact with the opposite sex later on their lives. Sources have stated, “If you want to bring people together and engage in positive contact, school is a good place to do that ( Martin, n.d).” Finally, it is arguable that students should be separated based on learning style rather than gender.
Coeducational systems are the most common in the US and are being compared to single sex classes. Mixed sex schools proponents illustrate that having student interact with each other builds a student’s confidence and develops their social skills toward the opposite sex, helping them have respect for each other. For instance, a study based on Canadian students demonstrates that coed classes develop students social skills with each other and prepare them for the "real world..” Students attending private or public mixed sex schools in Canada feel more confident expressing their perspectives in the presence of the opposite sex peers. Finally, coeducation systems show significant results for students social aspect( The Benefits of the Co-educational Environment 5). A study was conducted on Walker Private Coed School, based on a double-blind theory meant to increase student study skills. "Thirteen-year-old Amanda said she didn't lack confidence in math and science before taking all-girls classes, which she does enjoy. "Sometimes you do feel more comfortable, more inclined to ask questions," she said. "Your hand just seems to go up.” ( Archer, para 6). This example shows that girls are more confident in STEM classes when they are separated than boys. The ability to express one’s self apart from the opposite gender during a tumultuous time like puberty proved to be successful because it was less inhibitive, as well as less distracting. Therefore, coeducational schools must study boys and girls different learning style to make sure these programs are receiving equal opportunities and resources.
Even though coed classes seem to be helpful in the social aspects, problems such as teen pregnancy may occur in mixed sex classes. While rates of teen pregnancy have fallen in recent years, it is still an issue on the mind of every parent of a teen. Single-sex schools are a way to ease a parent’s mind, ensuring education will be the only thing on the student’s mind, rather than fraternizations. The fact that boys and girls are mixed and share a social network leads to teenage sex and unwanted pregnancy in too many instances. Peer pressure surrounding sex is a great deal more influential in coed school environments because boys and girls coexist in the same social network, which gives girls less control. Of course, if schools provided adequate sexual education classes, and even self-defense classes to be used in necessary situations, this could sometimes be avoided. Gender equality classes could help create a situation wherein young girls were outside the locus of social control, as well. While girls in single sex classes have more time and less pressure to evaluate the decision about sex and that is due to the fact that single sex classes focus in the academic aspect rather than the social (Hartman 18). It is just another advantageous factor that comes with single-sex education, though it is not something that is great enough to warrant all school being converted into single-sex institutions.
Deciding whether to send a child to a single sex school or coed school is an important and hard decision for any parent to make. Education is key when raising a child, and everybody wants what is best for their offspring. It is difficult to tell which system is the most advantageous because of the different studies which indicates benefits for both types. It appears that what may be the most important factor is understand your child’s learning type, rather than focusing on what gender they are. Indeed, the two sides can agree on a few things, however, the important thing is that every child is unique and should be taught in a way that uses evidence regarding children teaching style or settings to meet their different needs. Single sex schooling tends to have better academic outcomes. In comparison, coed schools seem to develop students interpersonal social skills. Moreover, the increase of single sex schools was mainly caused by the book’s publication regarding coed schools. The different research and results regarding single sex or coed schooling leaves more questions to the controversy. Consequently, solutions such as changing the teaching style for boys and girls rather than separating them should be considered.
Works Cited
Archer, Jeff. "Private Coed Schools Find Benefits In Single-Sex Classes." Education Week. 17.30 (1998): 6. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
Bigler, Rebecca, and Margaret Signorella "Single Sex Education: New Perspectives And Evidence On A Continuing Controversy." Sex Roles 65.9/10 (2011): 659. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
Billger, Sherrilyn M. "On Reconstructing School Segregation: The Efficacy And Equity Of Single- Sex Schooling." Economics Of Education Review 28.3 (2009): 393402. Academic Search Premier. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
Brown, Christia. "Legal Issues Surrounding Single-Sex Schools In The U.S.: Trends, Court Cases, And Conflicting Laws." Sex Roles 69.7/8 (2013): 356. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
Hartman, Kristen, "The Advantages of Single-Sex vs. Coeducational Environments for High School Girls" (2010). Social Work Theses. Paper 63. Web. 19 Feb. 2016
n.p. “ Researchers: Coed schools provide societal benefits over single-sex classes.” 4 May 2011. Web. 15 February 2016.
n.p."The Benefits of the Co-educational Environment." Web. 22 Feb. 2016.
Salomone, Rosemary. "Rights and Wrongs in the Debate over Single-Sex Schooling." Web. 23 Feb. 2016.
U.S Department of Education. ” Early Implementation of Public Single-Sex Schools: Perceptions and Characteristics. Web. 15 Feb. 2016.
