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The disadvantage of single sex school
The disadvantage of single sex school
The advantages and disadvantages of a single sex school
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Discussing an Important Point and
Counterpoint on Single Sex Schools There are numerous views on the concept of single sex schools, and if they are beneficial or actually detrimental to the students who attend. Autin (2015) states that while it is normal for public schools to be coeducational, many private and parochial schools have been operating single sex schools for many years. One of the many main controversial topics when discussing these schools is stereotyping. From the pros to the cons, this paper will touch base on many different views as to how students can be affected positively or negatively by attending these single sex schools.
Point The idea of single sex schools being more beneficial to students appeared in 1999 when studies showed that girls did better in math and science than boys (Niche
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Single sex schools are also determined to relieve the students from the typical gender stereotypes. An allied benefit includes girls being able to participate more without being outshined by boys by “equaling the playing field” (Gross-Loh 2015 n.p.). Gross-Loh (2015) states that “Stereotypes work both ways. Culture… can winnow children towards certain restrictions of behavior (think a young girl who absorbs early on the idea that she must always be interested in playing with dolls, or a boy who feels uncertain and worried about his budding interest in princesses), but the wider culture is endemic with gender stereotypes that single-sex schools aim to free children of… (n.p.) ” Attending a single sex school is completely voluntary, and parents can opt out at any time (Hollingsworth & Bonner 2012).
Counterpoint
Although there are many said pros to single sex schools, there are also many possible cons that come with attending the schools as well. One main issue is the lack of solid evidence that proves single sex schools are actually beneficial to the students who attend (Niche 2016). Gross-Loh (2015) state
It seems that single-sex education perpetuates gender stereotypes and promotes gender bias among students (Taylor). Gender-separate education requires schools and teachers to create gender-oriented courses, facilities, and learning environment. As a result, sing-sex schools exacerbate sexist attitudes and “feelings of superiority toward women” (Guarisco). It is fair to argue that the best way to achieve gender equality is to promote rather than eliminate interaction among girls and boys. However, girls in the sex-mixed class receive less attention from teachers than boys, which may lead to gender bias. More precisely, boys always have disciplinary issues, such as interruption; teachers have to pay more attention to boys’ behaviors in order to proceed the lecture more smoothly. Girls may feel less important and supportive in male-dominated classes; boys may think that males are smarter and far superior than females. Single-sex schools can address both girls’ and boys’ issues of gender stereotypes directly and accordingly. Male students may be freer to engage in some activities they have not considered before in mixed schools. For example, boys feel pressure to follow some non-macho interests when girls stay around them; however, the all-boys schools eliminate their pressure toward gender stereotyping to pursue music, dance, and drawing. Single-sex schools would help boys explore and develop themselves. Also, girls in sex-separate schools show more confidence and power (Guarisco). They could receive full attention from teachers and express their opinions in science classes without worrying about the boys’ banter. They may realize that they are as important as boys. Hence, both girls and boys can be free from gender stereotypes and benefit from a same-sex learning
One of the benefits of attending single sex schools is that it may be helpful for outcomes related to academic achievement and other powerful aspirations. Some of the advantages of attending a single sex school are that students are readily eager to work hard and compete amongst themselves, other than feeling embarrassed or being easily distracted by students of the opposite sex (Lee, 2008). Additionally, males tend to overestimate their academic abilities; while females generally underestimate their abilities and work harder to compensate. Single sex schools, can also broaden the educational prospects of students, by removing the disparities of “male dominated subjects” vs. “female dominated subjects.” Studies show that students attending single sex schools feel more welcoming and confident in their choice of studies.
Brooks argues that male and female brains work and experience things differently. He suggests that this theory is also the reason as to why young girls are surpassing their male counterparts in school settings. He incorrectly assumes that by separating males and females, males will be allowed to break free from gender stereotypes. Brooks strengthens his argument with results of brain research on sex differences. But, Brook’s argument is unpersuasive. He categorizes all young males, and suggest that single sex-schools are the best solution for them. He wants to apply a black-and-white solution to something that is just not that simple. While Brooks uses comparisons and surveys to convince the reader, his argument simply does
Sending a child to a gender based school, is a very big decision to make. The decision is so big, that looking at what research has to say about the topic could alter one’s decision to send their child to a gender based school. “Educators must apply different approaches in teaching make, and female students” (Gurian). This is said by Gurian, because he also believes that boys and girls learn differently. “Social pressures can be gentler and your child can learn at his own pace” (Kennedy).
In this paper I will use a multitude of research that shows scholarly evidence on why single sex education is harmful to one’s over all wellbeing and physiological health throughout one’s life. Single sex education is defined, as “the practice of conducting education where male and female students attend separate classes or in separate buildings or schools”(Pinzler, p. 785, 2005). The controversy over single sex education involves aspects such as its effectiveness and social ramifications of binary genders. Supports of single sex education believe that there are fewer distractions because everyone is of the same sex. Supporters also believe single sex education is also seen as a way to break down stereotypes such as women not doing well in the math and science field. They believe that single sex education helps males also break out of typical gender roles such as hyper masculinity. However, proponents believe separating girls and boys makes little to no difference in their academic achievement and is actually more harmful to your identity.
Riordan, C., Faddis, B. J., Beam, M., Seager, A., Tanney, A., Dibiase, R., et al. (2008). Early implementation of public single-sex schools: Perceptions and characteristics. Retrieved 9/6/2009, from http://web.ebscohost.com.
Boys in the single-sex high schools scored better in reading, writing, and math than did boys at coed high schools. Girls at the single-sex schools did better in science and reading than the girls in the coed schools. In fact, these researchers found that students at single- sex schools had not only superior academic achievement, but also had higher educational aspirations, more confidence in their abilities, and a more positive attitude toward academics, than did students at coed high schools. And, girls at the single -sex schools had less stereotyped ideas about what women can and cannot do. (Lee and Bryk
Wolfgang, Benjamin. "Boys in One Class, Girls in Another at More Schools; Single-sex Option Grows, but Some Still Skeptical." Washington Times [Washington, DC] 2 Sept. 2011: A07. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 21 Dec. 2013.
Students are more focused and therefore have better test scores in single-sex classrooms. Although stereotypes are formed because of separating genders, a study in the 2009 British Educational Research Journal concluded that in single-sex classrooms, girls achieve more in math and science while boys achieve more in English (Kwong). Stereotypes have been developed early on of what girls and boys are more proficient at. Naturally girls are better at English; boys, math and science (compound sentence: elliptical construction). Single-sex classes encourage girls to pursue more in science and math and boys in English because it takes away gender stereotypes. If a boy and a girl are in the same science class working together, the girl becomes the scribe to write down data while the boy is doing the experiment (Kwong). Math and scien...
Finally, there is no one sex school is going to be right for every student. There are many advantages and disadvantages mentioned in that essay before. But it's thought all over the world that the coeducation is preferred worldwide. About 90 % of schools all over the world are stuck to co-education. Mixed-sex education has achieved higher success rate. They also graduate students who are settled emotionally and able to deal with the real society. "There are not any dominant blessings for single-sex schools on academic grounds. Studies all over the world have failed to expose any major variations.'' - Academician Alan Smothers, director of education and employment analysis at the University of Buckingham 2011.
The proponents of single-sex education argue that boys and girls have differing needs and that their styles of learning are different. Education which respects personal differences must take this into account. ( Mullins 124) Single-gender schools seem logical, than, to a public that accepts that gender differences are real and likes the idea of expanding choices. (Silv...
] Single-sex education is a phenomenon that developed in the last few years to enhance the education system, many parents believe that single-sex education is beneficial for their children, as it helps them to concentrate on their future and to achieve a higher academic level. The main reason for separating both boys and girls was culture and regions beliefs and that was before the 19th century, therefore single sex school was the most common education system. “Before the 19th century, single-sex schooling was common. During the 19th century, more and more coeducational schools were set up.” (Single-sex education, 2012). However, this topic has an unsettled controversy about the efficiency of this type of education on the children’s academic achievement, social skills and performance. Single-sex education should be minimized attributable to the tremendous influence it has on the students’ life in academically, socially and psychologically.
Single sex education is a controversial battle that will most likely continue for decades. However, research and studies have shown in multiple cases and circumstances that single sex education is an extremely important tool that should be utilized in numerous situations. Many people think that dividing students based on sex will perpetuate gender discrimination; however, this kind of education may bridge more gaps than people realize. Not only do boys and girls develop and function differently, they are distracted by one another. Eliminating distractions and making classrooms conducive to each gender and learning style will ultimately result in a tremendous incline in academic grades and student participation.
Some people think that single sex schools are good because girls and boys feel free to talk, ask and raise their hands without being made fun of, "The theoretical approach termed 'girl power' argues that girls lag behind boys in some subject in co-ed classrooms." (predit, 2014). However, Single sex schools are very bad because it affects children attitude, they will find difficulty in communicating with their colleagues in college as they were secluded and didn't interact with other sex in school. Boys and girls should know from a young age how to deal with the opposite sex, instead of facing that when they become adults, and don't have experience on what to do. Students in single-sex classrooms will one day live and work side-by-side with members of the opposite sex .Educating students in single-sex schools restrains their chance to work helpfully and cooperate effectively with parts of the inverse sex. "It is not long before the youth of today will be the parents, co-workers and leaders of tomorrow" (strauss, 2012). "Anything we organize along any variable, if we're saying boys he...
Most research on Single-sex education have just advantages for girls. The advantages for girls are that they are more encouraged to take what they call “boy subjects” like science, math, and autos. Girls are usually uncomfortable to take the “boys subjects” because they do not want to be teased for being a “genius” or “nerdy”. As it says in the source of single-sex classes and Equal opportunities for girls and boys: perspective through time from mixed comprehensive schools in England...