Separating Sexes, Just for Tough Years Essay Example

when students go into the workforce, they will have to work side-by-side with the opposite side, and attending all-girls and all-boys schools denies them the opportunity to learn how to do so. However, such an argument completely ignores the fact that children constantly interact with members of the opposite sex outside school.

From playing and squabbling with siblings to negotiating allowances, chores and privileges with their opposite-sex parent, children learn and practice on a daily basis the skills they will need in their future workplaces. The final argument advanced by opponents of same-sex education is that it is discriminatory and, therefore, unconstitutional. However, research supports exactly the opposite conclusion: that discrimination is widespread in mixed classes.

Several studies have shown that boys dominate discussions and receive more attention that girls and those teachers call on boys more often that they call on girls, even when girls raise their hands. Clearly, this is discriminatory. In conclusion, it should be evident that the arguments against same-sex classes are not valid. On the contrary many people involved in middle-school education say that same-sex provide a better learning environment. Boys and girls pay less attention to each other and more attention to their schoolwork.

As one teacher noted, ‘Girls are more relaxed and ask more questions; boys are less disruptive and more focused. Furthermore, schoolchildren are not disadvantaged by lack of contact with the opposite sex because they have many opportunities outside the school setting to interact with one another. Finally, discrimination occurs in mixed classes, so discrimination is not a valid argument. Therefore, in my opinion, the law prohibiting same-sex classes in public schools should be changed.