<p>Cangel, this wasn’t from an article, it was from a post by a teacher on a board not unlike this one, albeit focused on a very different subject (writing) and password protected. It’s my favorite board in many ways, one never knows what turns the conversations will take. Virtually everyone posts under their True Names and even people who haven’t been able to stand each other for 20 years manage to get along. The teacher had no input on reintegration besides when it should take place. I may PM the writer a link to this thread so that he may comment if he chooses.</p>
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<p>Data points: D went to co-ed public high school, attending single-sex private college. Did well at both academically. But in high school there were things like another girl saying, “Can’t you try to fit in?” by which she meant not participate so much in class, defer to the guys. (Stereotype: this was from a cheerleader dating a football player).</p>
<p>D was one of the top students in BC Calc, went on to become a math major, and had no problem competing with the guys per se. </p>
<p>I would have never bet that she would go to a womens college but meeting the then-current students and seeing how much energy and assertiveness there was really excited her. Fwiw, while, as many people know to the point of groaning, she was a ballet dancer, she was in no way a sheltered girly-girl.</p>
<p>I’m an agnostic on all of this single-sex stuff. Or at least see indicators in conflict. My own gut says that while single-sex might be good for boys in high school, I’m unclear as to whether it helps or hinders girls. </p>
<p>Otoh, I was skeptical of womens colleges and have become a convert. The women I’ve met are comfortable in their own skins and there’s not a lot of fussing about clothes, make-up etc. or other guy-oriented behavior.</p>
<p>Ultimately, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was no one approach that worked well for everyone, regardless of sex.</p>