Hyderabad: Children who studied at unigender schools may find it difficult to mix with those of the opposite sex in college, says Ms Swetha Rao who studied in a girl’s school till Class 12.
The 22-year-old, who is doing her Master’s from EFLU University, says stereotypes of ‘boys’ and ‘girls’ predominate in those who have not been exposed to mixed gender schools. “Girls are taught at home not to roam, talk, or even look at a person belonging to the other gender. In fact, in my school days, I used to term men as ‘the other species’,” she said.
“We were not taught how to behave with boys or treat them as the normal people they are. It will get more difficult unless parents begin to teach their kids how to mingle with, treat, and respect a person of the other gender,” she added.
Mr Chandrahas Reddy went to a coed school where boys and girls were not allowed to speak to each other. “Now I am studying in the US where girls and boys talk openly and mingle. But I feel very shy to face the girls in my college when they come and talk to me as I am not used to it. I find it so awkward to face girls,” he said.
After joining a proper coed college, he says he is sure that schools must not restrict boys and girls from interacting. “That way one doesn’t face any issues in the future. How will such students work in an office or report to a female boss?” he queries.
