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With eight years of single sex education behind me and current enrollment in a college that is 96% female, I say that single-sex education is definitely more conducive. Right off the bat, single-sex schools eliminate a lot of simple distraction. If kids don't have to worry about impressing that other person of the opposite sex, their mind will be a lot more clear and receptive to what is being taught. However, it isn't just about avoiding fashion shows in the halls and things of the sort; there are inherent differences in boys and girls that affect their learning. Single-sex education isn't about teaching girls to be teachers and nurses and boys to be engineers. It's about catering to children based on the specific social and cognitive development of their sex. In CoEd environments, girls are generally intimidated by boys, and boys generally feel the need to constantly show off in front of the girls. Because of the aforementioned and gender stereotypes, in CoEd schools, there are usually more girls in the arts classes and boys in the science classes. Single-sex education breaks those gender stereotypes down. For example, because girls have gain so much confidence and aren't intimidated, they take all those AP Bio, Chem, Physics courses, and I'm sure in single-sex schools, guys would be similarly more apt to take classes they wouldn't necessarily take in front of girls. Single-sex schools provide a more comprehensive education, and that education is also tailored to innate differences in the way the female brain and the male brain work.

However, there is the issue of socialization. During my middle school and high school years of single sex education, my school was constantly planning events and opportunities with our "brother school," an all boy school, so that we could socialize with them. In addition to dances, there were science days and arts days, so the students were integrated, on a small scale, in the realm of education as well. Generally speaking, it was pretty effective. Although I strongly believe single-sex schools are more conducive for children's learning-because I've experienced it-I am kind of torn because I don't feel those CoEd events are enough. The real world isn't all female or all male. While you may avoid it, as some point you're going to have to work with someone of the opposite sex, and if you've only been environments with people of the same sex, it might prove difficult at first. However, that isn't a monumental issue however, considering the benefits of single-sex education. With the confidence and well-rounded education children receive in single-sex schools, they can undoubtedly overcome a few awkward moments. More importantly however, they can overcome gender stereotypes and eradicate "male only" and "female only" jobs.

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