Same-Sex Schools
Most schools are coeducation, meaning male and female students. Single-sex education, however, is still an option available. What are the advantages and disadvantages of attending a single-sex school?
In a different generation, colleges were mostly men, and young girls and boys went to separate boarding schools. It took a tail dive when the movement against sexism peaked and now it is common for there to be a balance of female and male students. The clear disadvantage to single-sex education that caused it to lower to begin with is gender inequality.
For many, coeducation means equality, the chance for everyone to learn the same things. It also gives an additional environment for different gender friendships and relationships. Schools that offer single-sex environments no longer operate under the assumption that genders are not equal, however; it is rather a personal choice, a decision to study in a particular environmental.
For youth, research suggests that boys and girls learn in different ways. The girls’ brain develops in different regions than the boy’s brain during this early age, promoting a different learning sequence for the two genders. This research leads educators to believe that single-sex education is a superior alternative to coeducation.
For all ages, single-sex education promotes options and an atmosphere unavailable in coeducation. Competition and subjects are restricted to a single gender, eliminating any potential stereotypes for sports, technology, or the arts. Students may study more in this environment, given their preferences.
There are approximately 60 colleges in the United States that may only be attended by women. The admitted advantages and disadvantages, as reported by Admissions.com:
Advantages
- Lack of competition with men
- Strong bonds with other women
- Absence of distractions
- Greater comfort level in discussions
- Increased safety on campus
Disadvantages
- Lack of interaction with men that is needed for the workplace
- Lack of networking contact (men still provide the best networking opportunities)
- Fewer dating opportunities
Of course, when it comes down to it, the reason that single-sex education is declining is because most people believe that it is more trouble than it is good. Only 3 percent of women enrolling for school this year are considering attendance at a same-sex college. Religious colleges, like Saint Leo University, are far more abundant than same-sex education, and offer a different kind of focus to education that can lead to excelling studies and academics.
