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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be unhappy about mixed sex PE lessons at secondary school?

100 replies

MissHooliesCardigan · 10/02/2016 20:40

I've just found out from DD who's 13 and in year 8 that boys and girls do PE together right up to year 11. This seems totally wrong to me. DD is very sporty but I'd noticed that her enthusiasm has really waned since she started secondary school. I can imagine that many girls feel really self conscious in front of the boys - they even do swimming together but I mainly feel that it's really demoralising for girls competing against boys as the boys will always have a natural advantage. Surely, if they're trying to encourage girls into sport, this is just going to put them off? It certainly has with DD. I love the school but I'm really pissed off about this. AIBU or do lots of schools do this?

OP posts:
monkeysox · 10/02/2016 20:41

Most schools do separate pe lessons. I don't see a problem with mixed classes.

breezydoesit · 10/02/2016 20:43

I did mixed PE lessons at school and competed with the boys. I thought this was the norm?

nocabbageinmyeye · 10/02/2016 20:44

Mixed schools have mixed lessons, why would p.e be different? Confused

nocabbageinmyeye · 10/02/2016 20:45

Do lots of schools do this? I would say the question is so any mixed schools not do this?

TitClash · 10/02/2016 20:45

I would have thought thats not a good age for either sex to be doing sports together, least of all swimming. One lad was badly humiliated in our swimming class, and the bullies didnt let him live it down.

arethereanyleftatall · 10/02/2016 20:46

'Demoralising' or challenging.

PurpleDaisies · 10/02/2016 20:46

All mixed in the schools I've taught in too, apart from when boys did rugby and girls did netball.

SuperCee7 · 10/02/2016 20:46

Huh? Why wouldn't they mix them? Its the norm around here. Rarely are they seperated apart from when the girls do netball and the boys do football Hmm

cantgonofurther · 10/02/2016 20:46

We did mixed games in the 90s. It was worse then as we had to wear gym knickers or gym skirts. My dd at least gets to wears shorts or tracksuit bottoms.

BloodyDogHairs · 10/02/2016 20:48

I remember being with the boy's for mixed PE, the only time it was awkward was when it was Scottish Country dancing time Smile

Balletgirlmum · 10/02/2016 20:50

Ds's school is single sex for PE. I always assumed that was the norm.

peggyundercrackers · 10/02/2016 20:50

It's completely normal Ime.

Why has it only affected your DD in secondary school? Did they not do mixed sports at primary?

Figgygal · 10/02/2016 20:51

I had no idea that some schools separate them at all?? Is that a thing Shock

AnyFucker · 10/02/2016 20:52

what ?

TeenAndTween · 10/02/2016 20:52

DD's secondary does single-sex PE.

Balletgirlmum · 10/02/2016 20:53

I'm n primary the difference between the sexes in terms of development, strength etc is not so great. After puberty boys are on the whole at an advantage against girls athletically. Also puberty may make both s des more self conscious & they may feel less confident in trying things out or be worried about their bodies.

mrsmugoo · 10/02/2016 20:54

Didn't you know this when you chose the school?!

Cleensheetsandbedding · 10/02/2016 20:54

As a sports coach there is an unfair advantage and I can see how it can be demoralising. Sport is one of the activities where there is a divide. It's biological it can't be helped.

It isn't the norm in most schools and tbh it would have put me off at that age too. I had very large breasts at that age and was already self conscious just around the girls - if I'd have had to do P.E with the lads I would have just refused to do it.

LongHairDontCare · 10/02/2016 20:55

We had mixed pe lessons at school, I assumed that was normal

Balletgirlmum · 10/02/2016 20:56

Clean sheets explained it so much better!

BolshierAryaStark · 10/02/2016 20:57

Why wouldn't they mix them?
I played football with the boys all the way through secondary school, bloody loved it as well. This was 20 years ago so it's not a new thing Hmm

wonkylegs · 10/02/2016 20:58

I seem to remember we did some sports in mixed classes (tennis, badminton, hockey, gym, swimming, cross country, athletics, basket ball) and others were single sex - rugby, football, dance and netball. I'm pretty sure none of us suffered any permanent harm - actually my favorite lessons were the mixed ones because they were a lot less serious - especially basket ball

Havalina1 · 10/02/2016 20:58

Oh gosh I remember being so uncomfortable about mixed swimming lessons when I changed schools at 15. I blagged/refused every single swim lesson for two years. Chronic shyness about being in a swimsuit (with teeny boobs!) in front of the boys just terrified me.

Grilledaubergines · 10/02/2016 20:58

Mixed school here. PE lessons are single sex. Wouldn't be fussed either way.

OddBoots · 10/02/2016 20:58

DD's school has been separate but starting with the current Y7 it has become mixed. DD is under the impression it is because the school have been put on the spot in terms of students changing gender but she hasn't seen any evidence for this.

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