Single-sex education

A little bit of history

Single-sex education was traditional and dominating form of education till 19th century. Almost all schools and universities were single sex, which in almost all cases meant – men’s schools. This situation started to change because of two reasons: emancipation of women (fight for equality) and introduction of massive education.

The first mixed-sex boarding school in UK was formed in 1818, it was Scottish Dollar Academy, and in 1878 the first university- University College London, allowed women to enter on equal terms with men.

What is interesting, the first Cambridge collage, which admit men and women was founded only on 1964.

Pros and cons

The topic of single-sex education is quite controversial. Like always there are pros and cons, some of them are quite irrational, other have a scientific background.

The most popular arguments for single-sex education:

1. Boys and girls are learning in the different way, so they need different program of education. Teacher should use techniques geared toward the gender of their students, to make a process of learning more effective.

2. There is a significant difference in timing and tempo of development between boys and girls – schools should respect it.

3. During learning students should pay attention to classes, not to their peers - single-sex classes help them in it – competition and willingness of show off before opposite gender is eliminated .

4. To a certain age children don’t need friends from different sex, they can be rather a distraction.

5. Paradoxically, single-sex schools break down gender stereotypes – there aren’t typical boyish subjects like math and physic, and this one in which girls are always better like music, arts and poetry.

The most popular arguments against single-sex education:

1. Students should learn how to cooperate with the members of opposite sex, because one day, when they grow up, they will be work and live with them – single-sex schools create a unnatural environment.

2. The differences between boys and girls aren’t so big - both genders are equal.

If you are interested in single-sex education and want to know more arguments you can watch for example this film: UK schools, single sex or mixed is best?

Single-sex education in Europe – now

According the European Commission's rapport there is a few countries (UK, Ireland, Greece and Malta), where exist single-sex public school, but in all countries are single-sex education private schools.

Harrow School

In Europe single-sex education is the most popular in UK, where is also traditionally regarded as that it have better quality. For example, the best schools with the longest traditions, which achieve the best results such Eaton Collage and Harrow School are men’s schools.

Questions

- What do you think about single-sex education?

- Maybe you went to single-sex school? Do you want to went to this type of school, if you had this possibility?

- If you have a children, will you sent them to single-sex school or mixed-sex school, why?

Sources:

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https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwrCAoXrRII5MhyphenhyphenhGpkorVQi433DFYouoFUprvlbVuxVoRl6W3SmCv2NhXCfYhVIa_bYBWlwWIB7bt-vgv_prSBocWWGduVn0Pb0u1sRbZU_kZ5utCeW6xcHWd2uBSGMPurWgtL97iss/s1600/29kings_wideweb__470x298,0.jpg
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http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/10_04/harrowMS2710_468x530.jpg
http://b.vimeocdn.com/ts/204/393/204393826_640.jpg
http://www.singlesexschools.org/research-singlesexvscoed.htm
http://www.greatschools.org/find-a-school/defining-your-ideal/1139-single-sex-education-the-pros-and-cons.gs?page=all
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-sex_education