Parents' Views on Mixed and Single‐sex Secondary Schools

Abstract

AbstractParents' attitudes towards single‐sex and mixed secondary schooling are examined in this paper. In two studies, statements about mixed and girls‐only schooling were read out to parents, who were asked whether or not they agreed with them. Parents were also asked if they knew why some parents preferred mixed schools for their sons. Few differences between the parents of girls and boys at primary schools emerged; at the secondary stage it was found that most parents who sent their daughters to girls‐only secondary schools felt that such schools allowed girls to gain more personal and academic self‐confidence. The responses of parents of girls and boys at mixed secondary schools to the statements about mixed schooling showed considerable agreement. However, those parents with sons at mixed schools were more likely than parents of girls to agree that the presence of girls had a ‘civilising’ influence on the boys. The comments relating to why parents might prefer a mixed rather than a boys‐only school for their sons indicated that the great majority of parents of both boys and girls felt that there were social advantages for boys being educated with girls. Methods to try to highlight educational rather than social issues in the context of choice of mixed and single‐sex schooling are discussed, together with some methodological implications for research examining issues relating to parental choice of secondary school.