Is Coeducation Better than Single Sex Education? Essay

This is a topic that has been argued almost since the education system started back in the nineteenth century. Back in those days, education was thought to be necessary only for males and the females were considered as someone who only works around the house, does chores, looks after the children and husband. This has changed drastically since, nowadays more and more girls are getting education as the general population agreed that women need to be empowered as much as men do and can contribute equally to the overall development of their society, nation and the humanity as a whole. Though some rural and backwards societies still resist with this concept, this is becoming very rare indeed. The topic of argument though is whether a coeducation system, which means where both boys and girls can study together in the same enclosure, better or is single sex education system, where either only boys or only girls are allowed to get admitted better, I think co-ed is definitely better. In the present context, coeducation is the more popular system of education than just single sex. Coeducation was first introduced in Western Europe after the Reformation, when certain Protestant groups urged that girls as well as boys should be taught to read the Bible. United States adopted coeducation much earlier than Europe and other parts of the world because traditions, religions and cultures proved to be a major hurdle in those parts accepting coeducation freely at first. Now though, there are more co-ed schools and institutions than single sex ones. In a coeducation system, students of all genders study in the same classrooms. Both the boys and girls are taught the same topics and are given the same tasks, assessments assignments. According to my view co-education is better for every student. It removes shyness, fear and also increases confidence. Some girls or boys hesitate to talk to their opposite gender because of lack of confidence and exposure and this is one of the main problems for a single sex education. As this is a corporate world one has to be able to work with people of different gender, cultures, traditions, family background in every aspects. The student who studies in co-education can adjust in social  environments much better than the student who studies in only boys’ or girls’ college. To take an example: a girl who studies in a girls only institution may feel shy and fear to interact with boys or sometimes may even over react as the environment in college and outside world is different which leads to many problems. The advantages of co-education are numerous. A co-ed system improves good communication between students. A student studying in a segregated education system could have issues with proper communication and expression with the opposite gender due to lack of exposure and practice. A co-ed promotes gender equality and teaches the students to respect the opposite gender. The students can adapt better in the corporate world in many ways because a student studying in a co-ed system has better leadership qualities and can work as a good team member in his or her team. It reduces shyness, fear and hesitation towards the people from the opposite gender. A co-ed system promotes friendship and trust among the opposite gender so there is a sense of bond and unity. It also increases maturity about many issues like family, love, friendship, et cetera as friends share their views, problems and solutions among each other. By sharing ideas and views from both genders’ point of view, students increase his/her thinking abilities as a whole. Friendship develops in a very natural way in co-educational schools. This happens because there are so many activities, societies and clubs in the school in which girls and boys take part in a pleasant, well-supervised environment. This friendly atmosphere continues into the classroom allowing young people to express their views openly and assertively. It helps to break down the misconceptions of each sex about the other and provides an excellent foundation for the development of realistic, meaningful and lasting relationships in later life. A co-educational school is also very successful in challenging sexist attitudes. Many subjects in secondary school allow for considerable classroom discussion and debate. In a co-educational school both the female and male perspectives will be explored in such discussions and this is a very important learning experience for all. In so doing they learn that ‘equality’ does not mean ‘sameness’ – that  men and wome n often have different perspectives on the same issues and that each approach has a great deal to offer the other. There are many advantages of co-education over single sex education but it does not at all mean that single sex education system is worthless. Segregated education system has its own advantages and plus points too. It mostly depends on the students, how they utilize the environment properly too. Co-education is better for the modern society’s point of view for the overall development of the students and as a result the society, nation and the world as a whole.