This question has come to mind in the course of starting a different thread on Primary ed. forum about the boys being compelled to watch the World Cup Match at their school on Wednesday
I realised that it's more about the gender stereotyping in the school since it recently became co-ed after being an all boys school for many, many years. As a single sex school, it 'allowed' boys to be 'people' first, IYSWIM. It's an academically selective school and there were many boys there who were geeky, non-sporty, creative etc etc.
It STILL has a good reputation for being academic and individualistic but my sons and I have noticed it also becoming increasingly sexist. Boys HAVE to play football. Girls can CHOOSE to play football but can also do rounders and Netball. Girls have the best - by far - cloakrooms/ changing rooms. Boys get blamed for misbehaviour, even if the instigator is a girl. Girls can be mean to boys and STILL the boy gets blamed.
There seems to be little integration between genders and more polarisation of stereotypes. A recent school trip away offered as the only two evening entertainment alternatives - 'make-up party' or football. Girls were expected to and did all attend the former.
I wonder if single sex schooling is less likely to stereotype gender roles and if, now there are girls at the previously all boys school - boys are increasingly having to define their role in stereotyped ways, fully encouraged by the school?
What do others think about this? Do single sex environments help to stop stereotyping of genders and is there anything I - as one individual - can do about it?
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Feminism: Sex & gender discussions
Does co-education exacerbate gender stereotyping?
25 replies
Solo2 · 21/06/2010 18:52
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sarah293 ·
22/06/2010 09:30
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bedlambeast ·
23/06/2010 23:12
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