CHARLES BEAMS Re: Single Sex Classes DAN TRIPLETT 07-26-96
CB>Quotes are taken from a message written by Dan to Charles on
CB>07/22/96...  
CB>DT>I don't believe the concept of single-sex classrooms equates with
CB>DT>racial  segregation.
CB> 
CB>I believe what you are saying, then, is that you believe that if we
CB>put  all of the black students into one classroom by themselves
CB>because of  their skin color, that's racism, but if we put all girls
CB>into one class  because of their gender, that's not sexism?
You are twisting my words.  If a class is single-sex because it is 
believed that such an arrangement will enhance learning, that is NOT 
sexism.  If we put a bunch of girls in a class and the only reason for 
doing so is because they are female, that is sexism.  If it is because 
learning will be enhanced, that is a different story.  I think you may 
need to define sexism....I think we have a semantics problem here.   
CB> 
CB>DT>For the most part, single sex sports exist because of the vast 
CB>DT>differences between the sexes.
CB> 
CB>We agree here.  I view this as "acceptable" sexism due to the impact
CB>the  differences in size and weight might have if men and women were
CB>to  compete together.
Oh so you agree that "sexism" is ok in some settings.  Isn't that 
situational ethics?
cb>  In some sports the genders can mix without any
CB>problem, but this is a matter for governing bodies to determine so as
CB>to  meet the needs of the broadest segment of the population.  Just
CB>as there  is a need for sexual segregation when setting up public
CB>restrooms and  locker rooms, there is a need for sexual segregation
CB>in some physical  activities when sexual characteristics may have an
CB>impact on performance.  
CB>DT>In many competitive situations (chess comes to mind) the sexes are
CB>separated 
CB>DT>simply because men and women are different, not because of an 
CB>DT>inferior/superior belief.
CB> 
CB>Men and women are separated in chess matches?  I wasn't aware of
CB>that.   Interesting.
Yes....the women are closing in though and I hope the top woman will one 
day beat the top man.  So far, there is no real threat of this happening 
with one exception.  Judith Polgar and her sister are top female chess 
players and they are quite young.  
It is a safe statement to say that the top male chess players in the 
world are superior in strength to the top female players.  This means 
little to me since the top 500 (a conservative guess) female chess 
players in the world could probably beat me with little effort.  I am an 
average player and the world of chess averages doesn't care what sex you 
are.  
CB>DT>CB>Of course, by definition, single-sex schools are established to
CB>DT>CB>exclude one sex.
CB>DT>I don't agree that these schools are "established" for that
CB>DT>purpose. 
CB>Okay, then why ARE single sex schools established?  I mean - I know
CB>why  SCHOOLS are established, but why make them single sex
CB>institutions if  not to keep the sexes separated?
They are established to avoid the distractions of the opposite sex and 
concentrate on the lessons of the school.  Hormones get in the way.  
(Don't you remember?)
 
CB>DT>CB>But - men and other men are different in many ways.  Why should
CB>DT>CB>sex be  the determining factor?  Some men can handle The
CB>DT>CB>Citadel, some can't -  some women can handle it, some can't.
CB>DT>CB>Judge each person as an  individual, not according to some
CB>DT>CB>preset "image" of a class of people.  
CB> 
CB>DT>I don't see it the way you do so we may as well end it here.  The 
CB>DT>differences in the foundation that drives our (yours and mine) 
CB>DT>philosophies are very apparent here.  We disagree.  
CB> 
CB>Sorry, I didn't read ahead so continued the debate.  You're right, we
CB>will disagree.
 
What the heck....it's a good debate and debates are healthy.  Besides I 
think I'd be in the minority on this one.  I wonder what Rush Limbaugh 
would say.....I think I know...:)  
 
CB>I see single sex schools and/or classes as an unnecessary barrier.  
CB>Given the growth of the women's rights movement, these
CB>classes/schools  will continue to be challenged as the excluded group
CB>will always be  wondering, "Why?"  Women will wonder if the men are
CB>getting a better  education, men will wonder why the women are being
CB>kept away from them  .  The stress created by "separate but equal"
CB>will outweigh whatever  small advantage there is in separate
CB>instruction.  
If what you say is true and the advantages are small, then you have a 
very valid point.
 
Dan Triplett
dtriplett@juno.com
* CMPQwk 1.42 445p *BEST SELLERS: "Speling Maid Eezy" by Dan Quayle.
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