Should there be separate schools for boys and girls?
In my opinion, I do not feel that girls and boys need or require separate schools. I think having separate schools for both girls and boys can prove to be a step backwards in this journey towards acceptance of a non-discriminatory society towards gender. And, who even wants a demotion? Co-educational schools, I believe, are one of the only ways for girls and boys to safely socialize without being judged by the society, especially their families and relatives. That is how they are prepared for the future to come; with boys and girls all around in co-educational colleges, male colleagues for women and female colleagues for men in workspaces and various other events where co-ordination between men and women is required rather than a sense of discomfort or insecurity. Also, in co-educational schools, one learns to understand the situation and accept people of all sexualities. The scope of growth for one’s mentality is supposedly large. Also, I believe if the staff of such co-educational schools supports and treats both the genders equally rather than declaring boys superior to girls or girls more fragile and delicate as compared to boys, it is a great base for an upcoming leader and successful individual.
All-girls and all-boys schools become sort of weapons for strict and narrow minded parents who want their daughters to stay completely oblivious of boys and their boys at a far distance from girls, to use against their children. These same boys are the ones who grow so curious to know more about girls that they end up forcing themselves on girls whenever they get a chance to, for solving their selfish purposes. In, fact, these girls are the ones who are super hesitant to talk to boys when it is needed and also end up feeling uncomfortable in the company of boys. We must not let somebody’s narrow mindedness and small thinking become the reason for another person’s life problems. It’s now time that we normalized girls and boys being friends and made them understand that no one is superior to the other. We are all equal and we deserve to understand each and every individual around us, no matter what gender or sexuality. The more girls and boys study together, play sport together, do activities like art, craft, pottery, debates on issues, writing, singing, dancing, etc. the more the sexualizing of tasks and activities and sports will decrease in the minds of young minds.
A woman myself,
Shubhangini Shaktawat