Why single gender schools are a bad idea | Edwina Tong – Grade 8

Jun 16, 2021 | 6 comments

When it comes to choosing schools, parents consider whether they should send their kids to single gender schools or not. However, parents do not know that separating boys and girls in school may harm kids in ways that may not be noticeable. So obviously, kids shouldn’t go to single gender schools.

Why single gender schools are bad idea

There are a few big reasons why parents wouldn’t want kids to go to single gender schools.

Students at single gender schools don’t develop strong social skills

Social skills are a huge part of our lives, and these skills need to be developed when we’re kids. When kids get out of school, they must learn how to interact with people of the opposite gender.

Kids must be in an environment where they can learn social skills and how to interact with the opposite gender.

However, kids won’t have the time or opportunity to learn social skills and respect for the other gender if they went to a single gender school. Lacking social skills will become a huge burden to them when they get into work or even just talking to people of the opposite gender.

Having good social skills is the key to having a successful future, so instead of letting kids have a hard time in the future, why not make them go to co-ed school and improve their social skills when they are still young?

Kids at single gender schools learn stereotypes about the opposite sex

Single-sex schools seem to be good for school discipline, performance, and provide learning space for teaching and concentration. But on the other hand, it also sacrifices children’s gender awareness.

Researchers generally find that gender segregation leads to students believing strong stereotypes and prejudices.

In co-ed schools, students get to interact with the other gender frequently and learn to talk with other genders comfortably. However, single-sex schools may affect a student’s understanding of gender stereotypes, which may let kids avoid interacting with the other gender when they get out of school.

“Single gender schools may foster gender stereotyping and sexism in a world that’s far more diverse than before,” says the former president of the American Psychology Association, Diane Halpern.

In order to stop gender stereotypes from spreading, people should send kids to co-ed schools to prevent them from internalizing these prejudices.

As we can see, the disadvantages of single schools outweigh their advantages. As Diane Halpern says, “Students involved in single sex schools have no advantages”. So, if there is no advantage but lots of negatives, obviously kids shouldn’t attend single-gender schools.

6 Comments

  1. Angel C

    I disagree. as somebody who graduated from a girl’s high school, I tout its benefits to all who will listen. Seeing as you’re still in eighth grade it’s great that you’re already thinking about the social impact of education.

    I believe single-sex schools encourage further development of both boys and girls. There is actually less rigidity in education and in social interaction when you understand your classmates better. The curriculum is tailored to your needs and you as a student have more say and power when you are not competing with the opposite sex. I would even say gender stereotypes wasn’t a thing in my high school. There were no “catty girls” or “I’m different from the other girls” kind of girls, instead we all developed into capable young women.

    There are always clubs to further interact with students from other schools, so lack of social interaction is less of a worry. In my experience, my school gave me the necessary resources and support to excel in the activities I chose to pursue.

    Maybe middle school is different from high school, but the best high schools in Taiwan are nearly all separated by sex. It is a pleasure to study with the brightest minds and enjoy the same activities after class. Most of us have no difficulty socialising with the opposite sex, nor are we less empowered than our co-ed counterparts.

    Reply
    • Megan Ong

      I agree with you. I think it just depends on what personality you have. For example, if you know you are more of an introvert, you should go to a co-ed school. In a co-ed school, you can learn more about socializing. However, if you are an outrovert, both co-ed or single-sex school is okay for you, It’s not as bad as how people think it is.

      Reply
      • Agyekum Owusu

        Yeah that’s true

        Reply
        • Mamadou

          yes you are speaking facts

          Reply
          • Paul

            this is so cap i don’t believe you liar

          • Brody

            I agree. Mixed gender classrooms would be the best way to teach kids

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