Single-Sex Education
Sara Vandenberg
Introduction to Sociology
Term Paper
April 2, 2010
Single-Sex Education Have you ever been sitting in a classroom and wondered what it would be like to have an entire class with just girls or just boys? What about an entire school? The drive for gender equity in American education occurred during the 1970’s and 1980’s, which was pushing coeducation forward. The Title IX legislation, passed by Congress in 1972, sharpened public awareness of equity issues that were related to gender. Public concerns about sexual freedom; a rise in unmarried–especially teenage– pregnancy; and the growth of sexually transmitted diseases led to a reconsideration of coeducational guidelines. In the late 1970’s, researchers began to note the higher levels of women academic achievements at single-sex colleges compared to coeducational institutions. In a 1992 published report, the American Association of University Women questioned whether or not coeducation was the best way to achieve the higher levels of accomplishments for young women. They claimed that women were more likely to be ignored in class discussions and subjects to threats of sexual harassment. Educational reformers were concerned about the low academic performances of young African-American males. They began to explore the possibility of all-male academies, to provide an environment that would be free of distractions in which these students could focus on achievements. (Rury, 2008) When tolled together, the numbers are not in favor of single-sex education because ninety-six percent of private schools are coeducational (Kennedy, 2010). Kennedy stated that only one point eight percent of girls and two point two percent of boys are educated in single-sex schools (2010). But this could be because out of the ninety-three thousand public schools in America, only two hundred and forty-one of them even offer single-sex classes (McNamara, 2006). According to CBS Evening news reporter, Melissa
Introduction to Sociology
Term Paper
April 2, 2010
Single-Sex Education Have you ever been sitting in a classroom and wondered what it would be like to have an entire class with just girls or just boys? What about an entire school? The drive for gender equity in American education occurred during the 1970’s and 1980’s, which was pushing coeducation forward. The Title IX legislation, passed by Congress in 1972, sharpened public awareness of equity issues that were related to gender. Public concerns about sexual freedom; a rise in unmarried–especially teenage– pregnancy; and the growth of sexually transmitted diseases led to a reconsideration of coeducational guidelines. In the late 1970’s, researchers began to note the higher levels of women academic achievements at single-sex colleges compared to coeducational institutions. In a 1992 published report, the American Association of University Women questioned whether or not coeducation was the best way to achieve the higher levels of accomplishments for young women. They claimed that women were more likely to be ignored in class discussions and subjects to threats of sexual harassment. Educational reformers were concerned about the low academic performances of young African-American males. They began to explore the possibility of all-male academies, to provide an environment that would be free of distractions in which these students could focus on achievements. (Rury, 2008) When tolled together, the numbers are not in favor of single-sex education because ninety-six percent of private schools are coeducational (Kennedy, 2010). Kennedy stated that only one point eight percent of girls and two point two percent of boys are educated in single-sex schools (2010). But this could be because out of the ninety-three thousand public schools in America, only two hundred and forty-one of them even offer single-sex classes (McNamara, 2006). According to CBS Evening news reporter, Melissa
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