Single-Sex Classrooms

Single-sex classrooms are a rarity these days that is why it is always approached with trepidation. In the early 1970s, girls and boys segregated into different classes in the United States. This practice is still in effect up to now in some schools.

Reasons for Single-sex Classrooms

There were a number of reasons for doing so. One reason cited is the need to teach different lessons to a parallel subject matter. For instance, in the past, boys were taught agriculture classes while girls learned home economics.

The classes were intended to prepare boys and girls for their different roles later as they mature. In some classes such as Physical Education or Sex Education, girls and boys also attended different classes. It was believed then that it was the appropriate course of action, taking into consideration their different physical make-up and social orientation.

Single sex-classes however lost its appeal through the years as Laws on sex discrimination and the changing roles men and women play in society become prevalent. Access to the same education for both sexes becomes the norm. The basic argument against same sex-classes is that co educational classes provide similar educational experiences for both girls and boys.

Recently, however, interest on the same-sex classes for urban students has revived. The driving forces behind its call for revival are three-fold: 1. improve academic accomplishment of girls in particular subjects, 2. to encourage social organization within the classroom and 3. to promote culture-centered educational context particularly African culture through formal and informal socialization.