Maggie Ng Pap English 4B February 5, 2012

Argument Essay

Headlines stated that single-sex schooling is fostering sexism. The controversy of singlegender schools verses both gender schools have been around since 1837, when the school Oberlin, the first co-education college was founded. Most people only know enough information to barely scratch the surface though. Although co-education schools provide students the experience of interaction with the opposite sex, single-gender schools are proven to uphold a better learning environment and more participative students. Many high school students admit that they have had trouble paying attention in class due to distractions by the opposite sex. Research shows that there are natural differences in how males and females learn. Also, statistics provide evidences that almost 90% of girls in coeducation high schools are affected by some form of sexual harassment. Not only could coeducation schools provide harm to students and their learning ability, but it also causes some students to be less open to the world leading them to be unable to flourish to their potential. Students tend to participate and be more responsive among classmates of the same sex. This is because students do not feel embarrassed or intimidated by kids who relate to them. Because of this, DRPF states that girls become extroverts. They start taking risks like participating in sports and outdoor activities without caring what boys think. Boys become freer and outspoken in activities without caring what girls think. They like poetry and orchestra. Still with these positive results, people are still weary of letting their children attend single-sex schools. The American Civil Liberties Union or ACLU claims that single-sex education is illegal and discriminatory. They believe that single-gender schools limit their opportunity to work

Maggie Ng Pap English 4B February 5, 2012

cooperatively and co-exist with a world of opposite genders. Even though the ACLU provides a valid claim, the benefits of a single-gender based school over rules their suit. On October 25, 2006, the United States department of Education made single-sex education legal within regulations. Also, the CNS president Patrick J. Reilly debated on a case of single- gender separation not being discriminatory. He stated that it puts their teachings into practice in a concrete way. To sum it up, single-gender education is a very good option for students that want to focus mostly on school and do not care about typical high school experiences. If more people understood both sides of this story, then they would understand that single-sex education is not as discriminating, sexist or dangerous as they think.