Published By: Sougata Dutta

Are Single-Sex Classes Better Than Mixed Ones?

School is the ideal place to build a mindset against gender discrimination at an early age!

Education is the backbone of an efficient society. Parents invest their valuable time in selecting which educational institutions will fulfil their children's aspirations. There has always been another hot topic that goes around when parents choose the schools, and that is the "Same-Sex versus Co-Ed debate". Guardians, as well as students generally get confused on this topic, as they become divided over which setup will yield the best result both academically and mentally for their children. Many argue that single-sex classes are better than mixed ones while some deny and take a stand for the Co-Ed system. Let us talk about this issue in detail in this piece.

Single-Sex Classes: Discriminatory Or Promising?

Some point out single-sex classes as discriminatory as without the absence of opposite sex, girls or boys can get wrong perception about the counterpart. Many boys or girls of same-sex schools are seen later in life to indulge in misogynist activities. While some make a point that same-sex system help students to get taught at gender-specific environment that eases unnecessary stereotypical peer pressure from their mind.

Gender-Specific Curriculum:

In same-sex system teachers can make an educational curriculum based specially on a specific sex. For example, in boys schools, teachers can teach stories which focus on the male lead, while in girls' schools, stories based on strong female characters can be taught.

Environment Of Less Peer Pressure:

In single-sex setups, girls or boys don't have to face the peer pressure to impress the opposite sex or to appear cool in front of them. It also encourages mutual brotherhood and sisterhood among the class.

Breaking Of Stereotypes:

Some gender stereotypes like girls not taking physics and maths at higher studies or boys not arts subjects at higher studies are typically not followed in single-sex schools. Students can talk more freely and take up unconventional streams.

Reduction In Socialisation And Exposure:

In mixed-sex classes, students get the opportunity to interact with students of the opposite sex. That lays the foundation of basic mutual proximity between two genders. Students of same-sex classes often lacks the interaction skill and struggles while talking to opposite genders.

Negative Effect In The Long Run:

Girls naturally mature faster than boys. That is why boys of single-sex schools miss out getting positively influenced by a more mature gender. Mixed-sex schools also teach boys and girls to be true friends, Students of Same-sex setups miss this experience too.

Chance Of Bullying And Lack Of Sex Education :

An all-girls school or all-boys school, students have to follow some specific brotherhood or sisterhood rules to become close. Those students who are a bit different frequently get bullied for the lack of that specific nature. Proper lesson of sex education is also not being taught at the same-sex institutions. This leads to problems in the future.