Co-Education, A Step Backward?
But would I have been better off if the “formal” aspect of my education had been single sex, at least in the earlier years? My sense tells my…probably.
Guys, be honest, in 7th grade was there ever more than one time where you were supposed to be listening to the lesson on algebra or the teachers thoughts on potting plants while the simple presence of the girl next to you totally invaded your transcendent thoughts into the realm of algebraic forms? “Meet her after school” you might have thought to yourself because an important test was coming up that same week. Then before you know it the period was over wasted trying not to think about what you cool thing you could say to her when the teacher finally shuts up. Girls, I don't know what its like for you, but with all the whispering in exclusive female circles I heard transitioning classes, it can't be that far off.
An opponent of single sex education could make the argument “This teaches young people how to focus and work hard, and choose their priorities rather than being forced into doing one thing. You are only delaying the distraction because then when they are introduced to a co-ed environment later, they will lose just as much focus.” To me, this is downright codswallop. We're talking about “the school day”. Not all the other extracurricular co-ed events THAT SHOULD BE participated in, perhaps even required. Perhaps some classes during the day should be co-ed. Heck, my sex-ed class in 4th grade was co-ed…and we went in depth….for some reason that was the most focused and quiet class I think I've ever sat through in the younger years.
The bottom line is that there are multiple aspects to holistic education-the spiritual, intellectual, emotional/social and the physical. Learning how to relate to the opposite sex and even be “friends” (which will later turn into something else) is a part of that “social” education…but is it really the best to do it alongside every other topic, especially when there are tailored methods of learning are more effective specifically for boys and respectively for girls? These respective methods aren't possible if both are always in the same room.
Males need time to be with only males and females need time to be only with females in order to develop strong identities in gifts respective of each sex. Oops…did I just say that? You mean there some things men do better than women and visa versa? Yes. Consider this passage from Pius XI's 1929 encyclical on Christian education, Divini illius magistri which is a much more tenacious and forceful position on the matter than I would like to take, however it is interesting:
68. False also and harmful to Christian education is the so-called method of “coeducation.” This too, by many of its supporters, is founded upon naturalism and the denial of original sin; but by all, upon a deplorable confusion of ideas that mistakes a leveling promiscuity [FYI: Promiscuity here is perhaps a bad translation from the latin pro amd miscu which would be literally translated “in favor of mixing” much like pro-life etc. Pius XI writes in a very Latin-esque style that, especially in this case, might lead people to think that he is paranoid about same sex education of causing promiscuity in the modern sense] sand equality, for the legitimate association of the sexes. The Creator has ordained and disposed perfect union of the sexes only in matrimony, and, with varying degrees of contact, in the family and in society. Besides there is not in nature itself, which fashions the two quite different in organism, in temperament, in abilities, anything to suggest that there can be or ought to be promiscuity [again, a different meaning], and much less equality, in the training of the two sexes. These, in keeping with the wonderful designs of the Creator, are destined to complement each other in the family and in society, precisely because of their differences, which therefore ought to be maintained and encouraged during their years of formation, with the necessary distinction and corresponding separation, according to age and circumstances. [He's saying it is necessary to have at least some but not going so far as to say how much.] These principles, with due regard to time and place, must, in accordance with Christian prudence, be applied to all schools, particularly in the most delicate and decisive period of formation, that, namely, of adolescence; and in gymnastic exercises and deportment, special care must be had of Christian modesty in young women and girls, which is so gravely impaired by any kind of exhibition in public. [Its hard for women to remain modest playing volleyball or swimming etc.]
On 11 July 2012 results from research at the University of Stetson in Florida found the following to be the results with the state's standardized testing:
The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) results were as follows:
Percentage of students scoring proficient on the FCAT.
Boys in coed classes: 37% scored proficient.
Boys in single-sex classes: 86% scored proficient.
Girls in coed classes: 59% scored proficient.
Girls in single-sex classes: 75% scored proficient.
“Remember, these students were all learning the same curriculum in the same school.…Many of those boys who scored proficient in the all-boys classes had previously been labeled ‘ADHD’ [Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder] or ‘ESE’ [Exceptional Student Education] in coed classes.”[2]
Read the entire article here: http://www.tfp.org/tfp-home/news-commentary/should-classrooms-be-coed.html
Were the higher scores merely due to single sex schools happening to be generally better, more expensive, and more demanding private schools? Yes. And that is the point. Why are they better schools and why do they choose the single sex practice?
Lastly I recommend you read C.S. Lewis' chapter on Friendship in the book “The Four Loves”. He explains how the bringing of men into a female circles and the bringing of females into male circles destroys a certain kind of “same sex friendship” which is for the good of society, something which was considered a form of love in ancient times.
