Is single-sex education effective?

Single-sex education, a practice involving teaching boys and girls separately, is an old approach that is gaining newfound momentum. Recent research into single-sex education shows how environmental differences impact how males and females learn.

Putting this research into practice however, has triggered a question that extends beyond pure academics. Is single-sex education more effective than mixed?

One major argument for the single-sex school is that pupils are more willing to take risks when they are not afraid of embarrassment and humiliation in front of members of their own and opposite sex. The absence of the need to impress the other sex can result in a more comfortable classroom environment- less held back by self consciousness and intimidation. A classroom bursting with ideas and conversation—all evidence of a great education.

Gender stereotypes frequently find their way into mixed schools. In these schools, students speak and behave in the interest of encouraging their respective gender stereotypes; for example, boys having to be physically and mentally strong, not expressing emotion and being athletic or sporty.

In single-sex schools, this is a less pressing issue and students worry less about whether their behaviour is masculine or feminine enough and how this is perceived by others. Of course, the societal impact of gender stereotypes is still strong, but perhaps doesn’t have the same hold over students when they are amongst their own sex.

At a mixed school, many boys shy away from joining clubs like choir or drama groups because of the fear of being branded not masculine enough. At a single-sex school, they can worry less about fitting a gender stereotype, because all participants are of the same sex. With gender stereotyping somewhat out of the picture, students are able to concentrate on their studies and feel free to express themselves without being put down.

As well as being better academically- can single sex education be more successful on the social side of things as well?

Some experts say that this lack of pressure and competition to impress gives rise to more welcoming attitudes towards peers of the same sex and easier formation of friendships as well. Single-sex schooling reduces the formation of groups; students feel more welcome to roam around with other people without being subject to judgement.

Teachers in mixed schools tend to unconsciously differentiate between boys and girls in their classroom when it comes to academics, behaviour, and discipline whereas single-sex schools physically cannot do this.

Overall, students in single-sex schools are less likely to feel pressured to act in a way that adheres to stereotypical standards, in the eyes of their teachers and peers.

However, some would argue that the promotion of single-sex schools is no longer appropriate in today’s society. It is an out-dated practice that supports the belief that boys and girls are so different that having them in the same classroom would be morally and educationally detrimental.

Students in single-sex classrooms will one day have to live and work side-by-side with members of the opposite sex. Educating students in single-sex schools limits their opportunity to work cooperatively together and break down any barriers.

Professor Analia Schlosser, an economist from the Eitan Berglas School of Economics at Tel Aviv in Israel, found that in elementary schools, mixed-sex classrooms with a majority of female students showed increased academic performance for both boys and girls.

In secondary school, the classrooms with the best academic achievements were consistently those that had a higher percentage of girls. Dr. Schlosser’s hypothesis was that a higher percentage of girls lowers the amount of classroom disruption and fosters a better relationship between all students and the teacher.

By separating out boys and girls from such a young age, are we building up fear and awkwardness around the opposite sex?

Another criticism of single-sex schools is that they are the perfect environment to create bullying and mental health problems, as peer pressure might be more intense. And while this happens primarily in girls’ schools, research suggests that boys at single-sex schools may also suffer: a 2009 study found that men who’d attended boys’ schools were more likely to have depression or relationship problems later in life.

Bullying can be more frequent in single-sex schools, where collective group mentalities are stronger and more harmful, than if there were members of the opposite sex present, who might break up the ‘status quo’.

This is especially the case for boys or girls who do not fit the typical stereotypes of their sex- for example more feminine boys in a single-sex male school. This can lead to plaguing mental health problems, especially in LGBTQ+ youth, for example depression and anxiety.

Research has revealed that single-sex schools have many advantages for their students. Generally, students educated in single-sex schools have more confidence and perform better academically than students in a mixed school. In addition, these students tend to feel less pressure from gender roles and learn to pursue areas that interest them no matter what was considered socially acceptable in their school environment.

Cover image © Adityamanutd via Wikimedia Commons

Exam hall École © Polytechnique via Wikimedia Commons

School boys © Grempletonian Wikimedia Commons