Ever since Title 9 has been put into place, equality among gender has been a topic of discussion. The question addressed in this blog is, what is best for high school females when it comes to physical education? Should classes be mixed or gender separated? Studies show that females excelle when in single sex classes and are given a choice.
Russell R. Pate stated that,“Separating girls and boys during physical education classes was the norm for about 20 years beginning in the 1950s. After the passage of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sexual discrimination at educational institutions that receive federal funding, gym classes were slowly integrated by gender.”1 Pate later went on to say that the amendment moved for giving equality in education, it said nothing about mandating coed classes.1 The study found that high school girls showed higher levels of physical activity in single sex classrooms doing aerobic activity, dance, and other activities that met their interests.1
“Give girls a voice or risk putting them off PE and sport for life.”2 The Youth Sport Trust conducted a pilot study geared to find out if females’ attitudes changed from giving them a choice in how their P.E. classes were run. The study found that the number of girls who looked forward to the new class and curriculum more than doubled. Giving them a choice for activities such as zumba and extra-curricular activities such as tennis, instead of competitive sports, gave females more confidence in themselves.2
It makes sense if you think about it. Humans by nature feel more entitled if they have a choice in what they do. If you want people to feel comfortable, put them in an environment that allows for it to happen.
1Gehrinhg, Jon (2005). Researchers Say Girls Thrive in Single-Sex Gym Classes. Education Week. http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2005/08/31/01gym.h25.html
2Gurney, Josie (2014). Give girls a voice or put them off sport for life. The Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationopinion/10930011/Give-girls-a-voice-or-put-them-off-sport-for-life.html
Way to make people think! Great blog.
ReplyDeleteI agree! This was a really good blog and definitely something that should be looked into deeper.
ReplyDeleteI think there should be separation in high school physical education. I believe females should have the choice to take classes like zumba. Great blog, Brock!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. Allowing girls to do aerobic dance and things that spark their interest is a great way to get them healthy. I was completely discouraged in middle school when I was with the boys because I was so not sporty. I was the dancer in the back that couldn't catch a ball that was coming at my face!
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