Single sex vs. Co-ed public elementary and secondary schools

[-N-]

I was reading a few articles about some school districts making a move towards creating more single-sex schools. What are everyone's views on this? I am mostly undecided, as I can see good things for both sides. Overall, I think I lean more towards co-ed, because I think it's important for each sex to learn to co-exist, communicate, and cooperate with the other, even if it results in such trite teenager troubles such as trying to get a boy or girlfriend, being macho or pretty, fitting all those stereotypical high school angsty problems, etc. I may be biased because I went to co-ed schools throughout, so I don't know for sure. But I can see the merits to single sex schools. Anyways, enough from me. Discuss.

[Casey]

I agree. Not much there to argue against.

[nik0tine]

Single sex schools are jsut stupidity in my opinion. Often times adults seem to conveniently forget what it's like to be a kid or teenager, jsut so they can make stupid rules.

[CloudSquallandZidane]

I think its important for the sexes to interact with each other, cuz if they dont then they wont know how when they are forced to one anothers company. Besides do we really need something that would make Americas children hornier, in the end???

Besides segregation always creates second class citizens. Always.


EDIT: In California I can define my own gender in the Public School system. So if this thing goes all the way through, i'll be wearing a skirt at an all girls school. AAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLRRRRRRRIIIIGGGGGGHHHHHTTTTT.

(*Note: Noone may quote me on that.*)

[Meat Puppet]

I hate it when those rich kids from All Boys schools get a day off from school and come to my school for a day to hang out with my girl. I want to HATE HIM.

[Kilika]

HEY MEAT! I WENT TO AN ALL BOYS HIGH SCHOOL! SORRY THEY ARE HITTING ON YOUR GIRLFRIEND, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! But yeah, I love single sex schooling. it was so chill and relaxing! My GF wrote a report on this...i could have her show you everything about this, like stats and everything. It proves that its better. BTW she went to an all girls school! Yes....the good ol days of high school...oh how i will miss them this year.

[Mo-Nercy]

I go to an all boys school. And I've never had a second thought about it. Most people who do go to a single sex school wouldn't really care about their surroundings. As Neel said before, there are arguments in favour of both co-ed and single sex. I don't know any people that go to a single sex and would rather go to a co-ed or vice versa. In my experience, people are happy where they are.

Also, it's easier for someone to learn when surrounded with people you have no chance of being sexually attracted to (assuming this hypothetical student is heterosexual.) And that's why the top academic schools (in Australia at least) tend to be single sex and not co-ed, be they private, public or selective.

"By the way, what the hell's a girl?"

I've read a few other posts saying that single sex school students will end up not knowing how to communicate or act in front of the opposite sex. Gee...that's a bit off. There's hardly any disadvantage. Most of these students (myself included) have a life outside of school where they interact with the opposite sex, or if not, at least a family member of the opposite sex.

[Kilika]

I agree with MO Mercy. Theres always plenty of chances to interact with the opposite sex. Hell I was in HS when I met my GF and we both went to same sex HS! I will try to get a copy of a report from her.

[Nait]

Single-sex schools? How... Unnatural.

[Shoeberto]

Well, I'd imagine in single-sex schools you'd have less something-or-others trying to be cool to impress the opposite sex, which I assume would lead to an overall better environment.

But I've gone to a coed public school my entire life, so I think I'd find it kind of hard to change.

[TasteyPies]

I like [strike]Boobs[/strike] girls to be in my school. They are great for stress relief and always cooler than the guys.

[Anaralia]

I've gone to both types of schools, and so has hubby. We're only two people, so take this as you will, but from what we've seen:

For boys, a single sex school means that they are less inclined to behave, because there are no girls around to call him a moron for sticking straws up his nose, belching, or lighting farts in the schoolyard. The same goes for girls, who tend to hike their skirts up and sit with their legs open when they're hot, but here's no real academic disadvantage to being more "relaxed". Unless you take it too far. And some do.

There are fewer fights in same sex schools, because there's no one to impress. People who are fans of unpopular activities, such as the Great Math And Science Club, tend to find more acceptance doing what they want, because, again, there's no one around that you need to impress. I met many more artistic personalities in the same sex school I went to than in the other ones. Mr. Anaralia, on the other hand, met more psychos.

The teachers in a same sex school are usually better paid, judging from the way they dress, so they tend to be better. But then again, that all depends.

[Shlup]

I can see why people concerned about kids getting distracted with cutsey little boy-girl crap would think this is a good idea, but there are entirely too many reasons why it is not a good idea.

Personally, I'm a big fan of uniforms. I think requiring uniforms at more schools is far more practical, and it often carries over into the "real world," since a lot of jobs require uniforms. Heck, stricter dresscodes would even be fine. I think what kids are wearing is a far bigger distraction than the opposite sex.

[Lord Xehanort]

I agree with Duckquack. Uniforms are a better way to establish equalizers than to separate the sexes... although I do get tired of, "Did you hear that Sue had sex with Greg last night?". Not having the opposite sex as a distraction would be nice... not having some guy wearing tight jeans that draw my attention would also be nice. Then again, I would still have attractions and be trying to impress people because an all-boys school has to have a lot of hotties...

Urgh, too many thoughts! I guess that, for a bisexual, same-sex schools are no less distracting that co-ed schools.

[*ETERNAL FANTASY*]

i prefer co-ed! maybe some bias cause ive been in co-ed schools all my life....my cousin told me (and that person was in single sex school) that single sex school build up the hype of interacting with the opposite sex! her opinion i dont know

i seriously dont think i regret going to a co-ed school (how could i anyway ive never been to a single sex school) mainly because i could interact with the opposite sex! besides its the best place to sarcastically, hurmously flirt!! lol