Poll: Segregating schools: A Good Idea?

[beddo]

No not by race, but by gender.

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?

You can't just group people into one of two categories. There is no proof to show that genders learn things differently. When it comes to learning I might have more in common with a woman than a another man.

 

[Valiance]

Girls and boys distract each other, which is why the test scores are better in your "srs biz" segregated schools.

Granted, I think that it'd be better to have both genders in a school, if not simply for the financial benefit, but for the social benefit. You'd have people graduate without talking to a girl other than their mom and sister, which doesn't really help you when you try to get a job.

If you MUST do something like this, segregating classes makes more sense to me than schools.

 

[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.

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?

I disagree. The way to start tuning education would be to make separate classes for the different learning styles, kinesthetic, audio, and visual. I know that some of the styles would end up weighted towards one sex, but this way everyone benefits, not just those who happen to learn the same way that the majority of their gender does.

 

[guardian001]

Yes, that's what we need to fix the total social ineptitude of most guys these days! Lack of social experience with the opposite gender! It's so obvious now! /blatant sarcasm

No. There really isn't any point, and I can only see negative effects, like the aforementioned complete social ineptitude.

Not saying seperate boys and girls completely,

Then what exactly are you saying? I don't know about most guys, but if I don't have a girlfriend, I have literally no contact with girls outside of school and my own family. And that includes during lunch hour, because the people I hang out with don't exactly attract girls. On top of which, learning styles are not determined by gender, only by how you think, which is not gender specific.

Even if people did have contact with the opposite gender during breaks, what would happen once they got to the workplace? They will have no idea how to interact with the opposite gender in a structured environment, having only interacted in informal cases. So even if there are benefits to segregating classes by gender, you really only delay the problem. Best to get it out of the way early.

 

[sneakypenguin]

No not by race, but by gender.

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?

You can't just group people into one of two categories. There is no proof to show that genders learn things differently. When it comes to learning I might have more in common with a woman than a another man.

Thats why I say (generally) boys and girls learn differently though not all are the same, and there is evidence boys and girls learn differently(generally) my professor pulled up a few studies that showed they do and i'm sure you can find evidence just by googling.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

yeah i don't think it would be a good idea, too many issues of not having enough ppl to socialize with. i'd say school uniforms is better than single gender schools

 

[sneakypenguin]

Why all the worry about socializing? I didn't think class time was time to look for a girlfriend.... Really are people that inept at interacting with people that school is the only way to make friends/gf/bf, you would see members of the opposite sex after school during breaks, when your about town, with friends. Separating the classroom doesn't stop you from interacting.

 

[Zykon TheLich]

Why all the worry about socializing? I didn't think class time was time to look for a girlfriend.... Really are people that inept at interacting with people that school is the only way to make friends/gf/bf, you would see members of the opposite sex after school during breaks, when your about town, with friends. Separating the classroom doesn't stop you from interacting.

Were you ever 14? It's time to look for a girlfriend all the time. Even when you have a girlfriend. You suggest taking some of that time away and you are going to get a negative reaction. Less girl time = Bad.

 

[Archemetis]

As much as i'm aware that enough drink will cure any social inadequacies with women i feel it's still necessary for a growing lad or ladette to be brought into a situation where they must interact with someone of the opposite gender, if anything for the furthering fot he human race down the line.

(I'm not saying "Yeah, let 'em have kids in school!" that shit is still wrong...)

 

[sneakypenguin]

Why all the worry about socializing? I didn't think class time was time to look for a girlfriend.... Really are people that inept at interacting with people that school is the only way to make friends/gf/bf, you would see members of the opposite sex after school during breaks, when your about town, with friends. Separating the classroom doesn't stop you from interacting.

Were you ever 14? It's time to look for a girlfriend all the time. Even when you have a girlfriend. You suggest taking some of that time away and you are going to get a negative reaction.

I know, all the more reason to separate them . I should have said no voting in poll if your in high school. Or maybe Ill just add the option of "but I wont get a GF"

 

[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.

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.

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.

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

My bad about the whole thing. I too was under the impression that the original post was about separating schools and not just classes. I can see it being reasonable to at least have different math and science classes. And sneakypenguin, you are correct in saying that there are other ways to interact. It's just that I found it much easier to talk to girls I saw in the majority of my classes, so my opinion is biased (as opinions are, by definition, biased).

EDIT: As I do most of the time, I'd like to clarify something just in case. I wasn't accusing anyone (either homeschooled or gender-segregated) of being social inept simply because of their educational upbringing.

 

[Archereus]

Now let me try and explain why segregating classes would not be a good idea. Could you imagine being in an all male class? NO one would learn any thing, you would probably have all of the jocks and all the shit disturbers in the class so nothing will ever frigging happen they will be so far behind that they would need to take a whole extra year to catch up. Of course its all guys so if one would speak up it would break in to a battle royal but having girls in the class this class would be more calm. When a girl speaks up against a guy what is he to do? he cant take her on in a fight, if he did he would sued big time. So with the girls bitching out the guys at every turn the class would eventually reach a state of peace.

 

[sneakypenguin]

uh, no

Care to elaborate on why we shouldn't separate boys and girls classes?

Now let me try and explain why segregating classes would not be a good idea. Could you imagine being in an all male class? NO one would learn any thing, you would probably have all of the jocks and all the shit disturbers in the class so nothing will ever frigging happen they will be so far behind that they would need to take a whole extra year to catch up. Of course its all guys so if one would speak up it would break in to a battle royal but having girls in the class this class would be more calm. When a girl speaks up against a guy what is he to do? he cant take her on in a fight, if he did he would sued big time. So with the girls bitching out the guys at every turn the class would eventually reach a state of peace.

What the hell? lol, I can not picture this happening in anyway, I suppose if there was no teacher.... or all guys where on steroids.

 

[Cowabungaa]

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.

And this is why it's an utterly retarted idea to segregate schools for gender. School is MUCH more then just getting good grades, school is thé place where kids learn there social skills. And not just making friends, but working together as well, things like that. Seperate the genders, and you get a lot of akward moments, afterall girls and boys áre different.

 

[Joeshie]

As weird as it might sound to some of you, boys and girls learn in different ways from each other. In fact, the current school system (in the US, at least) is more suited to girls because of the whole "sit down, shut up, and take notes" mentality that goes on from K-12.

Separating genders allows you to take advantage of each of the genders individual learning strengths, without screwing over one gender, like the current system currently is doing.

 

[sneakypenguin]

As weird as it might sound to some of you, boys and girls learn in different ways from each other. In fact, the current school system (in the US, at least) is more suited to girls because of the whole "sit down, shut up, and take notes" mentality that goes on from K-12.

Separating genders allows you to take advantage of each of the genders individual learning strengths, without screwing over one gender, like the current system currently is doing.

Thank you, someone who isn't going hysterical over supposed lack of social interaction. This is what my professor was saying about the sit down take note method being slanted towards girls.
But apparently school isn't for the best education rather how to get a girlfriend.

 

[joystickjunki3]

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.

And this is why it's an utterly retarted idea to segregate schools for gender. School is MUCH more then just getting good grades, school is thé place where kids learn there social skills. And not just making friends, but working together as well, things like that. Seperate the genders, and you get a lot of akward moments, afterall girls and boys áre different.

Sorry, dude. I can't take credit for a quote I didn't make. It was nova18 who said that one.

 

[Zykon TheLich]

Here's a twist on this.

Say it were discovered that seperating the workplace into gender groups increased efficiency by 5% and companies offered a 5% pay increase to people willing to work in a segregated environment. How many people do you think would take it and how many people would tell their bosses to fuck right off? I would defintely be in the latter camp.

 

[beddo]

Original Post

You can't just group people into one of two categories. There is no proof to show that genders learn things differently. When it comes to learning I might have more in common with a woman than a another man.

Thats why I say (generally) boys and girls learn differently though not all are the same, and there is evidence boys and girls learn differently(generally) my professor pulled up a few studies that showed they do and i'm sure you can find evidence just by googling.

This so called evidence is likely to just be crap. I doubt that the evidence covers a significant sample size. I also suspect that evidence of this nature fails to consider significant cultural and regional differences.

The fact is that these test are conducted with wilful prejudice. They generally group people participants by gender and compare the results to their previous achievements. They very often fail to address that they set the test up to derive the desired results. They often omit the fact that the act of observing directly alters the experiment.


Basically, there are so many flaws in the studies that look at the differences between gender because that are looking for evidence to support their theory rather than deriving a theory from the data.

 

[Larenxis]

Another one for this being a terrible idea. It helps that I go to an alternative school where social interaction has a higher worth, but I went to normal elementary, so I have those memories. I think if the genders were separated the opposite gender would gain an enigma around them, and would be looked upon as something very different. And if everyone was surrounded by just one gender, they probably would be different than if they were in a mixed class, more aligned within stereotypes as they don't have as much variety in their surroundings. Also, can you imagine trying to come out as a homosexual, or wanting to cross dress? Eep!

I know I'd personally hate it if I was in this scenario. I don't know how many teen girls you know, but a lot of them are really irritating. When you don't think you're too fat or you don't think this movie star is totally hot, you can feel like you don't have a lot in common. To this day I still have many more male friends then female, and I think it would be far more difficult to get into mixed-gender friendships in that situation, as going out of your way to seek someone out would easily be interpreted as a romantic intention. Yeah, I really think this is a bad idea.