Skip to main content

How much 'boy' socialization do little girls need?

I was wondering about this because I have a friend whose daughter started an all-girls elementary school from Grade 1 (and another who is thinking about doing this). I know there are lots of studies about the beneficial impact on education, confidence etc. for girls attending same-sex schools, but does it make a difference at so young an age? Are they missing out on social skills because of it? Is that a bad thing? I have no clue.

I do know that I went to an all-girls secondary school (middle through high school), but I had gone to a co-ed elementary school. Throughout my secondary school experience I continued to meet the male friends I had made in elementary school, so I didn't feel totally inept when it came to talking to boys, but I certainly didn't feel terribly confident either (and I had a brother at home!).

Lucas has a regular playdate with two sisters who live in our neighbourhood. Every Friday afternoon. Their mom asks me constantly, "Are you sure?" Yes, I'm sure, despite the attendant screaming, tears, tantrums and chaos. Because you see, on Fridays, Lucas builds forts with them, they have talent competitions, run obstacle courses, colour stained-glass window pictures and make exotic 'foods' out of sand (as opposed to exploding and burying the green army men in the sand).

They play differently and the dynamic is different. I feel instinctively that it is good for Lucas to have this interaction and I hope that the girls benefit from it too. They enjoy girly-girl things too, but they can rough it up with Lucas. The bottom line is that they know how to, and do, play with boys.

So how are girls who do not go to co-ed schools socialized in the boy arena? Are brothers and/or neighbourhood playdates enough? What do you think?
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Best Groom's Response Ever!

20 Years ago "On behalf of my most beautiful wife, Sally and myself, I'd like to thank you all for being here today. Special thanks go to all those of you who have worked very hard to make and arrange this event and to those of you who have traveled very long and very far to be here today. You may have noticed, on the outside, Sally and I are very different and have different backgrounds; but on the inside, Sally and I are very alike. We can relate to how each other thinks and feels - which is why we are here today. So, on behalf of my wife Sally and myself, I would like to thank Allah for bringing two like souls together despite the outer appearances, and I would also like to thank both our families for accepting the new family member so kindly despite the outer differences." True then as it is now. The paper he is holding? My hubby's hand-written notes from 20 years ago: But you want wedding pictures right?  Outside the mosque, be...
Post a Comment
Read more

Job Search2: Networking etiquette..

On which I have a few ideas.  As my husband keeps telling me, I won't get a job by spending hours in front of the computer submitting applications to online job postings.  The best use of any job-seeker's time is spent talking to friends and acquaintances and letting them know that you are looking for a job and what your skills and interests are. So here is what I found tricky about networking: How hard to push?  Working parents are busy, so if I asked a friend, who is a working parent, about a position I had seen at their company, do I ask a second time? How soon after? And what if there is another position - do I talk about that too?  If that friend is very enthusiastic about getting more information for me on a post then I hear nothing, what then?  Is it realistic to think they'll get back to me?  I find it difficult to broach the topic again.  I might ask a second time but for me there is no third time. What do I trade in return? In the net...
4 comments
Read more

About those peeps

I've previously blogged about my state trying to find a group of girlfriends here in Austin , so I thought I'd provide an update on my quest to surround myself with peeps who are actually available to go to the neighbourhood coffee shop and sit down and chat.  Well, I had made friends with another mom whose son had just started at Lucas' new school.  We would try to have a chat, without children, once a week. Well, they decided to move to Utah after the first term.  Another mom I met through my mom's group who I would meet up separately with and actually have a conversation about what is going on in life, moved too. Not out of state, but far enough where I can't meet her for coffee either.  Hmmmmm. So, my plan has been to crash other peoples' socials.  I went to a playgroup I didn't belong to but was being hosted by a neighbour, that worked out just great!  A little social time, play time for Liam.  I invited another neighbour out to see a movie...on...
2 comments
Read more