Would a move back to single sex education help our girls?

[BalletBunting]

I've been meditating on this recently - particularly seeing reports of the shocking levels of sexual harassment girls experience at school, as well as seeing the levels of gender stereotyping both my DC (one of each) have experienced since they were born. It made me wonder whether a move back to more single sex schools (for secondary at least) could actually have a positive effect on children of both sexes (and girls in particular)

Less sexual harassment, less stereotyping and as I understand the research shows that children do better in single sex environments, where they don't feel they need to 'perform' for the opposite sex. It also means that difficulties of puberty including hormones, menstruation etc can be dealt with in what might feel like a more safe environment.
Thoughts?

We’re about 4 streets out of catchment for the one girl’s non-grammar locally.

DD is 7. And yes I have started idly looking at Rightmove, to get properly into the catchment.

It’s pretty complicated here though because it’s still a completely selective LA.

When unnecessary I will always prefer to have non-segregated spaces.

Given the massive increase in volume of sexism / sexual harassment / sexual assault of girls in secondary schools by boys I think it is now time we segregated the sexes, to protect the girls.

What are you talking about JessicaWakefieldSV?

I clearly was responding to someone else’s comment about segregation. It wasn’t addressed to you

I don’t like the references to ‘segregation’. Sex separation is common for quite obvious reasons. If it benefits girls, I’m all for it.

I don't know where your data comes from about the 'massive increase' JakyHolyoake. My children prefer to be in mixed spaces and I am happier that way too. I would have not imposed it though. They were in a primary school where most kids (particularly girls) tried grammar schools and I felt they were 'missing out'. Because they already have a boy/girl at home and share extracurricular activities together, I would have not imposed my preference. My husband went to an only-boys school and has very good memories.

I don't think there is evidence to justify the option. It is something you believe profoundly and pass it on your children. There are pros and cons. I don't feel my children are at higher risk of sexual assault at all. Most sexual violence happens at home/in our close circle of friends and relatives. I keep a much closer eye on that.

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/dec/12/are-we-ignoring-an-epidemic-of-sexual-violence-in-schools

www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/8266620/rise-of-pre-teen-sexual-predators-in-uk-schools/

DD2 in particular has been saying recently she is fed up with all the idiot boys on her class. They are not there to learn so all they do is carry on and say disgusting things to the girls apparently. Next year she goes into S3 (Scotland) where classes are more streamed so is hoping she can get away from the idiots as she puts it.

I am not attaching any bad meaning to segregation here. As I said, I believe a more mixed classroom (in terms of abilities, socio-economic background, sex) is better. And I could find tones of evidence if I wanted to. Just like I could the other way around to demonstrate that more homogeneous environments are easier to navigate and promote academic achievement and safety.

Have a read Chameleon:

neu.org.uk/advice/its-just-everywhere-sexism-schools

Most sexual violence happens at home

While true, there is a big problem in schools now. It is significant. I was quite shocked at the number of rapes.

More reading for you *Chameleon"

consult.education.gov.uk/safeguarding-in-schools-team/keeping-children-safe-in-education/supporting_documents/Sexual%20Harassment%20and%20Sexual%20Violence%20%20Advice.pdf

I will look into the links later (must do some work).

The way some are describing 'boys' here is puzzling. Really. You would find it unacceptable the other way around (for good reasons).

I would have loved the option to send my dd to a single sex school.

99 percent of the disruption she reports is from the boys. There are something like 18 boys in her class and according to her every one of them messes about.

Whilst I'm aware there are probably plenty of girls who arent innocent, and they boys can be perfectly well behaved, I believe it's the stereotyping that is rife in mixed schools thays the problem. They are assumed to be bitchy madams and boistrous boys from the off set which does none of them any favours. They will naturally live up to these rules
Mixed schools stereotype everything from behaviour to sports. Girls are used as buffers and behaviour control. It's no wonder boys in mixed schools behave worse and it's no wonder girls are less engaged and have fewer sports opportunities.

But while boys do better in mixed academically that will always take precedence over girls wellbeing and achievements. Because, well they are girls.

The way some are describing 'boys' here is puzzling. Really. You would find it unacceptable the other way around (for good reasons). I thought this was the feminism board. You know the movement prioritising the needs and wellbeing of FEMales (women and girls)

The way some are describing 'boys' here is puzzling.

My understanding is that "boys" are juvenile human males.

[Girls are juvenile human females.]

[Men are adult human males]

[Women are adult human females]

I’ve got a son too, btw. I’d still prefer a single sex school for my daughter (son is already at uni so they have never been at the same school anyway).

Being realistic about the way the school system treats groups of boys and groups of girls doesn’t mean we don’t love or care about our sons.

Although, in law:

man is defined as a male of any age

woman is defined as a female of any age

camaleonHere, read this quote. the article is over a year old, nothing has been done and nothing has changed.

''Lawyers have accused Justine Greening of being in breach of her statutory duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 which requires her to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination against girls in school and advance equality of opportunity. They said she could face judicial review proceedings if she failed to reply to their letter; they had yet to receive a response.

The issue was highlighted in a damning , which exposed the widespread incidence of sexual violence and harassment in England’s schools.

According to , 5,500 sexual offences were reported to the police as having taken place in UK schools over a three-year period to July 2015, including 600 rapes.

www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/15/justine-greening-could-face-legal-action-over-failure-to-protect-raped-pupils

The way some are describing 'boys' here is puzzling

I hate statements like this.

Specify what statements and what you’re puzzled by. Reminder: this is the feminism board, where we prioritise the needs of girls and women.

The women I know who went to girl's schools are all dead against it, but you can see some on here in favour.
Personally I would say no - it may lead to "Buddha syndrome" (I just invented that maybe) where girls are sheltered and not able to compete on a level footing with boys.
Yes, sexual assaults would be hugely reduced (although not eliminated).

I went to a girls' school, dey. very pro it for DD, but her experience will be different from mine where I was single sex from 7 and did nothing outside of school.

I'm not a fan. I don't like the idea of cloistering women in an unrealistically single-sex environment. I think learning to interact sensibly with the opposite sex is important. I also think single-sex education places too much importance on sex as a reason for division and difference.

If schools are failing to provide a safe environment for women that's appalling but I don't think isolating girls is the answer.

I used to think like that dey

Then I realised what It really meant was that basically they dont get used to being groped, harassed etc and that's what they dont learn to deal with.

It's much easier to hold your own with boys and men if you haven't been stereotyped out of and prevented from becoming their educational and confidence equal.

I loved my all girls' school. Science taken seriously, girls' ambitions taken seriously, no distractions around looking nice, no sexual harassment (had already encountered that at primary).

I had no problem socialising with boys in the evenings (plenty of mixed extracurricular activities you can sign your kids up to).

If I had a daughter I'd be moving heaven and earth to get her into our local girls' school.