Are
Single-Sex Schools Better Than Co-Ed Schools?
There has been some debate as to whether single-sex
schools provide a better education than their co-ed counterparts, or vice
versa.
As an alum of both an all-female Catholic high school and
co-ed private but non-religious university, I have experienced both sides of
the argument, as well as the transition between the two. Here are some aspects
of female single-sex versus co-ed education that might offer some clues to help
you make this decision.
Attractions and Distractions
The biggest issue in the single-sex versus co-ed schools
debate is the possibility of attraction and distraction in the classroom. Many
people say that if the other sex is in the classroom, the other will do nothing
but ogle classmates of the other sex and not pay any attention to the teacher.
Other distractions include the injection of the other sex’s breed of humor, or
whether or not particular students talk more often and longer than others.
The validity of this argument is questionable, especially
as a blanket statement. Sure, there is some truth to it. But what about people
attracted to the same sex? Or those not interested in dating anyone? Or those
who are open to dating, but not easily distracted in the classroom (which was
my personal experience)? For these students and myself, the co-ed classroom may
be no worse at all.
Comfort in the Classroom
Aside from the other sex being a distraction, a drawback
about a co-ed setting is that students are sometimes intimidated by the other
sex and may be less comfortable participating in class discussions and activities.
Fear of embarrassment or feelings of inadequacy may accompany the co-ed
classroom experience.
However, many students may find that they thrive in the
co-ed environment, being able to relate to the other sex and play off of their
thoughts and ideas. At my co-ed college, I was suddenly exposed to the thoughts
and feelings of guys while in an academic, as opposed to social, setting for
the first time. This enriched my experience in classroom discussions and in the
organizations I was involved on campus. Hearing the perspective of more than
just Catholic females was refreshing, so I found this to be a benefit of co-ed
classrooms.
There is conflicting research to support either of these
claims. University of Pennsylvaniaresearchers performed a study in South Korea that
randomly split up students into single-sex and co-ed schools. The research
showed that students of both sexes placed in single-sex classrooms were more
likely to attend four-year colleges and receive higher test scores.
However, though proponents of single-sex schools cite an
improvement in classroom behaviors, according to research by the American Psychological Association, which analyzed 184 studies on single-sex versus co-ed
schools, many of these studies found no difference in participation or
aspirations in single-sex classrooms.
Interpersonal Communication
The perspectives of the other sex are lost in discussion
in single-sex classroom, but also, the ability to communicate with the other
sex may not develop as quickly as it would in a co-ed environment.
Being able to communicate with the other sex, both in and
out of the classroom, is crucial for preparing students for the professional
world. However, for those in a single-sex environment, social interactions with
the other sex outside of school, as I had, offer the chance to develop these
communication skills, so single-sex schools may not be a hindrance at all.
One study reported
that dividing boys and girls into separate classrooms actually delays the
development of interpersonal communication because the separation fosters
stereotypes, which may prevent both sexes from understanding each other
properly in co-ed classrooms or out in the real world.
Physical Appearance
One stark contrast I noticed between single-sex and co-ed
environments was the change in appearance of other girls in the classroom. At
my high school, girls would rarely, if ever, put on makeup or fix their hair in
any special way. Because we had required uniforms, my classmates didn’t spend
time figuring out what to wear either, which was one more distraction we didn’t
have to deal with in terms of classroom interactions.
In college, this sudden change in other girls’
appearances was admittedly shocking at first because I was used to seeing girls
showing up to school with plain hair styles and little-to-no makeup. For both
male and female students in co-ed environments, some may spend more time
focusing on their physical appearance to look attractive to other students.
In the end, the student and her parents make the decision
about which option would be the best fit for her academic and social
preference.
Sources:
American Psychological Association. “Single-Sex Education
Unlikely to Offer Advantage Over Coed Schools, Research Finds.” American
Psychological Association. American Psychological Association, 3 February 2014.
Web. 23 September 2014. Retrieved from American Psychological
Association
Fabes, Richard, et.al. “Gender-segregated Schooling and
Gender Stereotyping.” T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics.
Arizona State University, 31 August 2012. Web. 23 September 2014. Retrieved
from T. Denny Sanford School of
Social and Family Dynamics
Krupnick, Catherine G. “Women and Men in the Classroom:
Inequality and Its Remedies.” Harvard University. Harvard University, 1985.
Web. 18 September 2014. Retrieved from Harvard University
National Association for Single Sex Public Education.
“Single-sex vs. Co-ed: The Evidence.” National Association for Single Sex
Public Education. National Association for Single Sex Public Education. Web. 23
September 2014. Retrieved from National Association for
Single Sex Public Education
Novotney, Amy. “Coed Versus Single-sex Ed.” American
Psychological Association. American Psychological Association, February 2011.
Web. 18 September 2014. Retrieved from American Psychological Association
