I attended a single sex college for women when that type of institution was more common , but it was embedded within a larger male institution (it soon went co-ed). My major was actually male dominated.
In the women's college, classes were smaller and frankly more challenging and the faculty were more open and socialable. This may simply have reflected the size of the school.
I've spent time in both female dominated and male dominated groups and agree the dynamics are different. One isn't better than the other; just different.
But then I grew up in mostly male play groups so I usually did fine with guys.
My parents never understood where I was headed (my mother still thinks I should have been a secretary) so their expectations were actually the reverse of mine. Which, I think, freed me to set my own expectations and goals, something I think girls (and maybe students in general)need to re-learn today.
We baby boomers had to contend with the so-called 'greatest generation' who were tough cookies and many of us simply rebelled and literally walked out on our families. Learning from that experience, we swore we'd be better, more understanding and more accommodating parents ... and I think we are. But that's not entirely a good thing. We've now cushioned, smothered and obligated our children to please us. Maybe there's something positive about hating your parents :)
I do agree about the super-girl expectation because I see it in students I've taught at all levels. One outcome is that women are indeed outperforming guys, at least until they get married and are faced with the having children question (and if they have children, they then shift their super-hood into motherhood). The other is that they're massively stressed.
But then, their parents, particularly their mothers, are stressed too. :)
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Date: 2006-10-17 12:10 pm (UTC)In the women's college, classes were smaller and frankly more challenging and the faculty were more open and socialable. This may simply have reflected the size of the school.
I've spent time in both female dominated and male dominated groups and agree the dynamics are different. One isn't better than the other; just different.
But then I grew up in mostly male play groups so I usually did fine with guys.
My parents never understood where I was headed (my mother still thinks I should have been a secretary) so their expectations were actually the reverse of mine. Which, I think, freed me to set my own expectations and goals, something I think girls (and maybe students in general)need to re-learn today.
We baby boomers had to contend with the so-called 'greatest generation' who were tough cookies and many of us simply rebelled and literally walked out on our families. Learning from that experience, we swore we'd be better, more understanding and more accommodating parents ... and I think we are. But that's not entirely a good thing. We've now cushioned, smothered and obligated our children to please us. Maybe there's something positive about hating your parents :)
I do agree about the super-girl expectation because I see it in students I've taught at all levels. One outcome is that women are indeed outperforming guys, at least until they get married and are faced with the having children question (and if they have children, they then shift their super-hood into motherhood). The other is that they're massively stressed.
But then, their parents, particularly their mothers, are stressed too. :)