Same-Sex Schools Essay Example

Introduction

Imagine a typical classroom where boys and girls are co-existing peaceful and learning alongside each other. Though, this has not been the case in all the schools. Single-sex education has been a major concern to most of the policymakers who have defined this set up as those in which education in males and females is conducted in separate buildings, classes or schools. This was a common practice before the twentieth century; specifically in higher education and secondary education (Anderson, 2018). Historically, the basis for single-sex education was advocated in line with the religion as well as tradition. This aspect is clearly seen in Muslim majority countries which believe that men and women perform better when learning separately and the religious ideas on sex segregation (Meyer, 2011). Those against and for the idea of same-sex education have different benefits and challenges which they associate with this school setting. The target audiences for this argumentative essay will the US Department of education which recently announced the requirements for offering same-sex classes. Just like the original Title IX regulations issued in 1975, same-sex education should only be allowed in few limited classes like those which specifically deal with human sexuality and contacts; because same-sex education has a negative influence on civil rights and academic excellence.

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US Department of education

Currently, the US Department of education believes in equal access to education and promoting educational excellence which is in line with the enforcement of civil rights. The institution prohibits the discrimination by educational institutions on the basis of sex. The agency works with other acts which emphasize on the equal access to education (Tatum, 2011). On the subject of single-sex schools, the agency has identified some of the activities that schools must engage in while developing single-sex classes. The agency is in a position to either ban or promotes same-sex schools by enacting policies and laws which will guide the education sector in the country. The agency enacted the Title IX in 1972 (U.S. Department of Education, 2018). The law only aimed at prohibiting sex discrimination in the educational activities and programs. This paper aims at addressing the US department of education on reasons why same-sex schools should be banned because of their negative influence on civil rights and academic excellence.

Recommendation

Same-sex education should be discouraged because it has a huge influence on sexism. According to Anderson (2018); sexism can be defined as discrimination against anyone on the basis of the gender. Sexism has a huge influence on each and every person as it brings about the subject of gender roles and stereotypes. Particularly, sexism has been documented to affect women and girls (Winnicott, 2016). When students are made to learn in education systems which they are separated on the basis of gender, they begin to see the distinct genders as being intrinsically superior to inferior. In fact, most of the cases associated with extreme sexism foster the sexual harassments and violence as well as rape (Littleton, 2011). When these kids learn in distinct schools, they only learn how to associate with people of the same gender. Ultimately, the children develop gender discrimination which encompasses discriminating people on the basis of their gender identity. This extends to the workplace where there are instances of gender inequality; it all starts in this same-sex schools where the children are made to know that the two genders are divergent and distinct.

Sociology claims that same-sex education results in the manifestation of sexist at the individual and institutional level. Mainly, the subject of separating the different genders has been associated with ideological systems which mainly result in oppression for instance racism. Sex segregation is a controversial issue as it violates the capabilities and human rights (Tatum, 2011). Same-sex schools violate equal treatment theory which believes that there should be equal treatment of men and women in similar situations. At the education centers, both men and women should be presented with the same facilities and learning experience (Littleton, 2011). Clearly, segregating the sexes means that the men and women will be exposed to different facilities, learning, and activities at the school institution. Other countries have focused on legislation aimed at eliminating sex segregations at the social place because they have identified the negative impact that comes with these segregations.

Same-sex schools should be discouraged because they are a violation of the moral principles and norms that define the human behavior. Through sex segregations, a person is not entitled to the free rights and freedom of being simply human. In case of same-sex schools, there are sex-based classifications which challenge the equal protection as well as issues of discrimination (Tatum, 2011). Clearly, through mixed schools, the children will be exposed to the sound framework of equality because they will be exposed to equal opportunities and experiences which will bring out the best in them. In fact, mixed school settings make it easy for the students to collaborate and work with the opposite genders. This is important as it influences future commitments and works for instance in organizational settings where the men and women are supposed to mingle. There is no point of segregating the boys and girls because, at the end of the educational journey, they will be exposed to situations which call for the collaboration between the two genders (Winnicott, 2016). These forms of sexual segregations have negative impacts on how the employees are treated at the workplace. Recent cases of gender equality at the workplace have been greatly defined by the gender discrimination which is associated with traditional beliefs of segregation like in the educational system. When men and women are used to mingling and working together in the classroom setting, they are able to develop social bonds which are replicated further in the lives after school.

There should not be same-sex schools and education system because someday the same students will be expected to live and work alongside the opposite side. This means that educating the children in same school setting limits their opportunity of working and co-existing in the society (Tatum, 2011). Critically thinking, education should not be used for academic Excellency only because the platform can be used to address social issues and make a person socially fit for any role. The overall growth and excellence of students should be defined by both the social and academic developments. Thus, the schools should provide an opportunity for the students to learn and communicate with the opposite gender (Littleton, 2011). The school setting should provide the basic platform where the children mingle and learn how to associate with opposite gender. The school curriculum should also use the school system to teach the students the fact that all sexes are equal; this subject will be of importance in reducing cases of male chauvinism and discrimination at the social setting.

The US Department of education should discourage same school education because they don't boost academic achievement. This assertion is supported by a study conducted by McCullough (2015) on same-sex classroom performances which claimed that the biggest challenge of same-sex education is the lack of concrete evidence which shows that they support academic excellence. The performance of the students is an innate ability that is best influenced by the external environment. Thus, it should not be the main reason as to why boys and girls should be separated (McCullough, 2015, p. 703). Besides, the real world does not offer a place where the students will work on the basis of their gender. Recent studies depict statistics that show that same-sex education does not influence academic achievement. Historically, single-gendered schools propped up with an aim of helping the children do better in class; however, recent statistics show that women attend college in larger numbers as compared to men by 14% (Meyer, 2011). This means that segregating the races has no influence on the academic achievement.

Conversely, other scholars have argued that same-sex schools come with less distraction especially during the teenage years where the children are at puberty. However, this is a small issue that can be resolved through programs geared towards sex education (Winnicott, 2016). Besides, others claim that the gendered schools influence the tailoring of information to meet the needs of the girls and boys. Unfortunately, this means that the two genders will not be exposed to the same academic conditions and experiences. Hence, the evaluations and assessments will thus be different and the desired outcome in the educational setting will be affected (Meyer, 2011). There is no evidence that can support the fact that gendered schools influence performance as psychologists and medical practitioners claim that men and women are inherently different and the external environment has limited influence on their abilities. Simply separating the girls and boys has no impact on academic excellence as it does not guarantee success. Thus, those who support the gendered schools should put into consideration the civil and human rights.

Conclusion

Conclusively, the US Department of Education should desist from stipulating activities which ought to be implemented in single schools because this classroom setup has limited influence on academic excellence. Besides, separating boys and girls do more harm in their future lives as it brings about issues of sexism. Children from single-sex schools have been found to discriminate against people on the basis of the gender. This has been hugely impacted by the gendered school systems which make the children feel as if the two genders are so distinct and cannot co-exist equally. Besides, the real world after school offers the opportunity for these children to mingle with the opposite sex and co-exist happily. Thus, the segregation at school; tampers with the settings at the social system. There have been cases of discrimination at workplaces and most of these issues have their influence fro gendered schools which have 'wired' the students to think otherwise. Ideally, the education system should provide a platform for the children to grow socially and academically. The US Department of education should thus consider discouraging these education setups because they are only beneficial in limited cases like in gendered sports.

References

Anderson, M. A. (2018, May 2). Is Single-Sex Education Making a Comeback? Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/12/the-resurgence-of-single-sex-education/421560/

Littleton, M. (2011). Sexual Harassment, Same-Sex. Encyclopedia of Education Law. doi:10.4135/9781412963916.n339

McCullough, S. (2015). Gender lessons: patriarchy, sextyping & schools. Gender and Education, 28(5), 703-705. doi:10.1080/09540253.2015.1087692

Meyer, E. J. (2011). Gender and sexual diversity in schools: An introduction. Dordrecht: Springer.

Tatum, M. L. (2011). Sex Education in the Public Schools. Sex Education in the Eighties, 137-144. doi:10.1007/978-1-4613-3270-1_10

U.S. Department of Education. (2018). Education Department Clarifies Requirements for Offering Single-Sex Classes | U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved from https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/education-department-clarifies-requirements-offering-single-sex-classes

Winnicott, D. W. (2016). Sex Education in Schools. Oxford Clinical Psychology. doi:10.1093/med:psych/9780190271350.003.0062