It sounded so old-fashioned to me, like something from another century. I could not imagine I would like to be in an all-girls school. While there were plenty of boys who took over the classroom, most were fine in my opinion. Unless you had a real bully in the class, what difference could it possibly make? After all, I like boys.
It only took about two weeks in an all-girls school to see why it makes a difference. My experience in the actual class rather than just “imagining” what it would be like was about as different as watching someone on a rollercoaster, and actually riding the rollercoaster yourself.
The main differences I noticed:
When no boys are in the classroom girls take part more. They answer more questions, and they argue more. I guess you would say they debate more, but I remember the same situation happening when boys were in the class and a couple of them yelled out “Cat Fight!” The girls got angry, and they stopped debating.
When no boys are in the classroom, girls stop showing off. There is a lot less hair flipping and giggling and leg show. I never realized how much girls do that until I realized they were acting so “normal” when no boys were around! They were paying attention to the class and not worrying if their belly rings were showing (grin).
When no boys are in the classroom, girls take more chances. They don’t worry about looking dumb, or even better, they don’t worry about seeming smarter than the boys!
When no boys are in the classroom, girls just treat each other better. Not sure what this is about, but I think girls get jealous when boys pay attention to some girls and not others. Girls help each other and back each other up when boys are not in the picture.
When no boys are in the classroom, you feel more comfortable and safe. I was really surprised by how much more I raised my hand, said things when I wasn’t sure I was right, and just felt more excited and into the class.