Poll: Segregating schools: A Good Idea?

[sneakypenguin]

No not by race, but by gender.
EDIT
Also segregating classes not schools(thread title is to catch eyes)

We where discussing this in my business ethics class today, well not discussing but it was brought up in our debate over affirmative action and discrimination in the workplace. I found it to be intriguing, my professor pulled up some data about how schools/classes that separate boys and girls improve scores(for math and science) for both parties.

Now I personally find separating schools/classes by sex to be a good thing, boys and girls both learn differently so why not teach them differently? It would also lessen the distraction of the whole middle school/high school dating/flirting crap that goes on

Do you believe this would be beneficial? In what ways? Are there downsides?

 

[AndyFromMonday]

No, what the hell is wrong for a school to have both genders?

 

[TheSapphireKnight]

Brace yourselves..

 

[Abedeus]

Hell no.

What's the point?

 

[rossatdi]

I went to a boys school and it certainly stunted my social & emotional growth. However I do kind of see the argument that it decreases distractions and ups academic attainment. Although I certainly have no numbers to support that.

I don't think its a big issue. It should definitely stop at 6th form/uni level though!

(The one I really disagree with is segregation, voluntary or not, by religion. No greater harm could possible be done to a child's mind than indoctrination by a house of learning.)

 

[joystickjunki3]

Your head may in the right place in terms of intention, but boys and girls must learn how to properly interact on a social level if they are to succeed in life. Most of us, if not all, learn this sort of cross-gender social interaction from our school days. And besides, the genders don't learn all that differently from each other as far as I know.

EDIT: Although, I'm plenty willing to amend my statements if proven wrong.

 

[Ronwue]

Hell no.

What's the point?

He said the professor had some data that separated boy/girl schools have better scores. That's the point. Still, it's not worth to be a socially incapable person just so you get 5% better scores.

 

[Jeronus]

Hmmm.... interesting idea but where would you put all those homosexual students? Seriously, I doubt separating them will do you much good because the problem isn't the other sex but the changes a human body goes through at that time that might drive test scores down. I doubt you could do much to stop that anyway.

 

[Trivun]

Here's an idea, segregate primary schools! Try segregating universities! Even do it with hospitals and religion, or buses and public services!


... No.

 

[humpees]

It does work in some schools. And it's hardly as if there will be no cross-gender contact outside of school to stunt social development. But I suppose it comes down to individual cases, with it working well for some people and not for others.

 

[Legion]

Not a good idea for Primary School (age 4-11 in the UK) but I think it would be a good idea in Secondary School (11/12-16 in the UK), seeing as school is meant for education in lesson times and socialising in the free-time, it'd possibly increase results.

No, what the hell is wrong for a school to have both genders?

The OP said classes, not schools.

In reply to all those who said about socialising. You'd still see the opposite sex at lunch and break/recess, as well as in the corridors, before school and straight after. Completely single gender schools on the other hand are a poor idea.

 

[Abedeus]

Here's an idea, segregate primary schools! Try segregating universities! Even do it with hospitals and religion, or buses and public services!


... No.

Let's segregrate public houses... hehehaheh.

Hell no.

What's the point?

He said the professor had some data that separated boy/girl schools have better scores. That's the point. Still, it's not worth to be a socially incapable person just so you get 5% better scores.

True. Even if that's true, having a person meet a girl at the age of 25 is just stupid.

Because some countries allow you to study till late age... So what - either you are a normal person, OR you have good grades... And even then it's not sure you will have those grades. But you won't be normal in society.

 

[gmer412]

Why? What's the benefit?

 

[naftali1]

Now I personally find separating schools/classes by sex to be a good thing, boys and girls both learn differently so why not teach them differently?

Learning style differs from person to person and is not determined by gender by any means. Yes, a male and female brain are wired differently but learning styles go much deeper than just that.

 

[sneakypenguin]

Your head may in the right place in terms of intention, but boys and girls must learn how to properly interact on a social level if they are to succeed in life. Most of us, if not all, learn this sort of cross-gender social interaction from our school days. And besides, the genders don't learn all that differently from each other as far as I know.

EDIT: Although, I'm plenty willing to amend my statements if proven wrong.

Not saying seperate boys and girls completely, I was homeschooled and I turned out okay in the social aspect, but separating classrooms should only improve the learning experience. There are plenty of opportunities to interact with others outside of class.

Here's an idea, segregate primary schools! Try segregating universities! Even do it with hospitals and religion, or buses and public services!


... No.

You misunderstood the idea of this segregation. It is not a lesser educational experience for either side, rather its to the benefit of both parties. The reason Black and White segregation was so bad is because the quality and intent were different.

 

[JamesB]

Well, I'm in an all-boys secondary school and it really doesn't seem to have that many advantages. It sure does make it a lot harder to improve socially, especially if people are shy like I am.
Segregating classes is fine, but not whole schools. Especially if people are like me and have no chance to go out during the week with crazy parents....

 

[L.B. Jeffries]

I've never seen a single gender boarding school produce a mentally stable and healthy person before. As far as guy's go, the poor bastards date the first girl who gives it up to them and refuse to believe they can do better. Gets sad sometimes.

The women I've met who went to single-gender schools were a much more mixed bag...but whatever the gender putting off discovering sex and how to behave around the opposite gender is never a good idea.

 

[Ionami]

Should add gender into the thread title.

 

[nova18]

Your head may in the right place in terms of intention, but boys and girls must learn how to properly interact on a social level if they are to succeed in life. Most of us, if not all, learn this sort of cross-gender social interaction from our school days. And besides, the genders don't learn all that differently from each other as far as I know.

EDIT: Although, I'm plenty willing to amend my statements if proven wrong.

Yeah I agree, my cousin who lives in Ireland went to an all boys Catholic School where as I went to a British mixed school. We both have similar results academically, I have a better Maths grade but he has a better Science, which is the only difference.
On his last visit he admitted that he often did not know how to interact with females, because he had no experience from his school life, where as I have no trouble talking to girls and can hold down relationships.

So my personal opinion is that whilst grades are not going to greatly differ with segregation, the social effects will alter the students attitudes towards the opposite sex, most likely for the worst.

Should add gender into the thread title.

Agreed, I was slightly worried when I saw the title. People may be under the impression that your suggesting a kind of pre-Civil Rights Movement style segregation.


EDIT: Just re-read the OP and read your idea about segregating classes instead of whole schools, now this seems more reasonable. The benefits of added concentration are there but there would still be an opportunity to socialize with opposite genders during breaks.

SORRY FOR THE LONG POST

 

[sneakypenguin]

Now I personally find separating schools/classes by sex to be a good thing, boys and girls both learn differently so why not teach them differently?

Learning style differs from person to person and is not determined by gender by any means. Yes, a male and female brain are wired differently but learning styles go much deeper than just that.

True they do go deeper, but we could at least start making progress towards a customized education for people. We know generally boys and girls learn differently not always the case but it benefits the majority if we tune the education to the sexes, why make them learn the same way if it's not the best way for both parties?