Posted by Dee on January 31, 2002 at 21:20:25:

In Reply to: I suppose boys aren't encouraged into fashion and design posted by Mike on January 31, 2002 at 19:13:35:

Way to go St. Joe's - had a look at the photos they look fantastic, must have been a lot of fun.
I think that Mike's right about segregation. I remember my transition year career guidance class. The first class of the year we were asked to name some occupations that might be interesting to us. When someone called out mechanical engineer the class was promptly told "Now you're getting silly girls"!!!!
If you said you wanted to be a doctor you were asked if nursing wouldn't be a better idea. We were also told that we shouldn't take too many "hard" subjects e.g. physics and accountancy. There was no reason for us to do honours maths (sure what would a young lady need that for?). What a joke! Luckily I had my head screwed on and didn't listen to any of it. I did what I wanted to do and took science subjects anyway. But what if I hadn't had the opportunity to do those classes? - (maybe I'd be a nurse, or a good little housewife but I wouldn't have just come from a middle school (mixed) where I spent the morning working with a group of 12 year olds on a project for a science fair my graduate school is running and I wouldn't have helped out a workshops teaching biology teachers modern DNA analysis techniques. I wouldn't have done so much that I enjoy. Maybe not many boys would want to do home economics and maybe less girls want to do mechanical drawing but how will they ever know if they don't get the opportunity. The easiest solution would be to put an end to segrated schools.

There is the argument that says girls do worse in mixed schools than they do in single sex schools but I'm not sure I believe it.
Anyway, that's my two cents worth.

Follow Ups:

• Re: I suppose boys aren't encouraged into fashion and design Mike 21:32:32 31/1/02 (1)
  • Actually Trinity 22:31:55 31/1/02 (0)

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