Dania Adra
October 21, 2015
English 203, sec 45.
http://www.crchealth.com/youth-programs/advantages-single-sex-schools/
In the article "The Many Advantages of Single-Sex Schools" written by the CRC Health Group, the topic of Single sex schools and how they have many benefits for girls was raised. It mentions how girls are more confident when there aren't any males around in the classroom. I completely disagree with this, since the implied stereotype of girls being that they are shy and timid is very generalized and doesn't apply for all. On contrary, in co-ed sex schools it gives girls a crucial opportunity to interact with people of the other sex, which would enhance their social skills later on in life, and ready them for real world situations. Being confined in an all girls school is like living in some sort of fantasy world, and so once the girls move on from high school onto college, 'the real world' , encountering and working with males would be out of the norm, when it shouldn't be. The article rebuts this argument by saying " girls are more able to participate in class discussions since there aren't boys around to dominate as in co-ed schools". According to the text, "the lack of male favouritism,and the absence of the expectations for girls to be nice, quiet, non-athletic, and passive led to more successful academic career when girls began college". Again, irrelevant, since this being the twenty first century where people are coming to terms with gender equality and feminists are taking stands, the claim that presence of males in the classroom intimidates girls is as if society has taken a giant leap backwards when in reality, as a developed and open society we like to think we have overcome such claims. The CRC Health Group states that "90% of girls in co-ed high schools are affected by some form of sexual harassment". Although it may be a statistic, it shouldn't imply that things would be different in single-sex schools. Since the implication in the article was made, we are led to believe that girls are more civil and less critical than males, however isn't that a form of sex discrimination? girl to girl insults cut deep, and can seriously dent a girls self confidence. Having to separate girls from men in order to consider themselves as more successful is self degrading and proves every stereotype made about the weakness of females. We will never be seen as equal if we don't act like we are.
Same-sex schools, on the other hand, have many benefits, as shown in the text. Any parent would want the best for their child, and if being in a co-Ed high school is affecting your daughter negatively then by all means, do what you think best, in this case, an all female school is just that. However, I do believe that there are other factors that can cause a dent in a girls self confidence and isolating girls isn't the answer. Depending on the female, every girl at one of these institutions might have their reasons for being in one. Some girls have overbearing fathers who would not let them receive an education because of males being present in the school. Without these same-sex schools, a number of girls attending would not be educated. Another main reason for the establishment of single sex schools is, girls who have been abused emotionally, physically, or sexually may reach the point of unable to be around men. The very sight of them could cause a mental break down. With all girl schools, this isn't a problem in the slightest, allowing a safe, relaxing environment. When looking at this topic in the authors light, you must consider the different situations a girl might be in for her to benefi from a single sex school.
Work cited
The Many Advantages of Single-Sex Schools." CRC Health Group. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2015.
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