Updated on July 19, 2023
For many years, parents and students have debated whether sending young women to all-girls schools has any real advantage over coeducational schools.
Girls are usually subject to challenges that are different from what boys face. At various points in the world’s history, these challenges can change, but it’s undeniable that girls face hurdles not common to the typical boy.
Take that question further and ask whether struggling young women would genuinely benefit from going to troubled girl’s schools rather than just non-traditional schools for struggling teens.
The Single-Gender Education Debate
There are different beliefs regarding the question of whether single-gender education is better than coeducational education. A single-sex versus coeducation study by the Department of Education concludes what many have suspected before; there’s no conclusive evidence that one is better than the other.
Ultimately the choice is personal, and it’s a matter of knowing what an individual needs and what works better for him/her. What we do know is that some children learn better in a coeducational setting. Some thrive more in a single-gender environment.
Does Gender Make Differences in Learning
Knowing the differences between girls and boys and how they process information helps educators decide how to best present information to maximize how children learn the lessons and process information in a classroom setting.
Boys and girls learn differently, which is why single-gender schools have become increasingly popular. Girls are more likely to shy away from competition and socializing with boys in an attempt to stay safe. They focus on detail and the individual, while boys are more task-oriented and competitive. These differences can make it difficult for boys and girls to work alongside one another in a classroom setting.
Girls have different processing abilities than boys. Girls are better at reading and writing, while boys are better at math and spatial reasoning. Some research indicates that girls struggle more than boys in school.
The girls’ gender gap in math is 1.6 times as large as the boys’. Girls are less likely to participate in science experiments and more likely to experience feelings of loneliness and self-doubt at school. A productive learning environment for girls should be a safe space where girls can collaborate with their peers and teachers, explore their interests, and feel valued for whom they are.
During adolescence girls are focused on self-like, self-awareness, fitting in, and becoming independent while simultaneously going through emotional and physical development stages. Understanding how girls learn and think and providing a supportive environment can make the difference in their academic success.
Girls may understand and relate better to teaching methods that use descriptive phrases and colorful visual aids. Many girls are more receptive to teachers who use a softer voice than those who use harsh tones and speak louder.
Physiologically speaking, girls have a more finely-tuned aural structure than boys. They can perceive the differences in a tone much better and associate high vocal tones with tension. Boys interpret high pitch and volume invoices to be excitement and authority.
Sociologically speaking, the dynamics inside a coed classroom is very different from what you can see in a single-sex classroom. Young women in a coed classroom are more likely to act in what they perceive to be socially acceptable gender roles for women. It is common for girls to be more passive and let boys take the lead in mixed environments.
Is an All-Girl School Better than a Coed School?
Some young women may fare better in troubled girl’s schools than in coeducational schools. Some of the benefits include the following:
- Removing distractions – Some troubled girls may be more able to focus on themselves and their lives when there are no distractions around them. Removing boys from the environment can result in less competition with other girls, focus on academics, and devote more time getting to know themselves rather than what they think they should be.
- Positive female role models – Young women who have poor self-esteem may see themselves in a better light if they have positive female role models around them. Women holding positions of responsibility instead and are successful at what they do.
- More leadership opportunities – Young women studying in troubled girl’s schools don’t need to compete with boys to take advantage of leadership responsibilities. They also don’t need to feel constrained to socially accepted roles of girls. Once they can step out of their shells, breaking stereotypical gender roles, they have a better chance of improving their self-esteem. They become more confident, comfortable and can be themselves than in a coeducational setting.
In conclusion, the primary consideration is your daughter’s happiness and well-being. While single-sex education may have many advantages, it’s always best to be sensitive and aware of what environment is most conducive to positive responses when choosing a school for a troubled teen girl.
We are here to help you find the right therapeutic program for your daughter. Please contact us to discuss your child’s specific needs.
