The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-01-28
CO.EpUoATIoN or rae SEXES.


cation is referred to elsewhere, the fol-
lowing:
We are convinced that few persons, except |
ing parents, ever consider, much less are aware
of the many evil effects arising from the edu-
cation OF both sexes in the same room.
Now, we are convinced that the
method here condemned is the only cor
rect and satisfactory way of educating
children. The very act of separating
the sexes in the schools establishes a
sort of antagonism between them,
which is not only contrary to nature,
but is detrimental to the best interests
of both. The idea that girls should be
taught that boys are enemies whom
they must shun is not calculated to in
spire them with very charitable feelings
toward them, while the sham protec-
ton that such a system would afford
would teach boys to regard girls as
their Legitimate prey, whom they were
expected to torment, because of their
physical inability to resent harsh treat
ment, at every opportunity. This, of
course, refers to small boys and girls,
who are found in the middle and lower
departments Of our grammar schools.
AS they grow older and "the new
warmth of Iife's ascending sun is felt by
either" the advantages derived from
their co-education is witnessed in every
school where boys and girls work side
by side in the same pursuits. 1t is true,
as we presume this correspondent will
admit, that women are more polite and
refined in the company of gentlemen
than when in a gathering composed eu-
tirely of their own sex; and we all
know-unless our brethren are wofully
belied-that men, when unrestrained
by the presence of women-as, for in
stance, at the polls on election days
use language which they would not
think of doing were women within
hearing. So, also, boys and girls are
more courteous and refined in their de-
meanor when associated together than
when separated.
This idea of treating boys as though
they are expected to be unrestrained
barbarians, merely because they are
boys, has most pernicious effect upon
them. 1t is as if we said to them; you
are boys, hence rude and 'ungovernable;
hence your Fairgrounds at school must
be divided from those of your more re-
fined sisters by high walls, which you
can neither climb nor see over. We are
compelled to dismiss these respectable
children five minutes before you are al
lowed to go, so that they may get safe
start and stand a chance to get home
before you can overtake and persecute
them.
Now, is that not absurd? And in the
name Of common sense answer and tell
us if this sort of treatment would not in
short time increase in ten-fold ratio
the present stock of juvenile hoodlums ?
We cannot believe that the Creator
made mistake when He allowed boys
and girls to be born of the same par
ents, share the same home, and possess
the same knowledge of right and wrong.
If this was not mistake, then surely it
can be none to follow up the same
course in associating the sexes in the
studies and pursuits that shall fit them
for life, which they expect to spend to-
gether, and require of each the same
personal accountability, and subject
each to the same restraints.
We cannot believe the antagonism
which this correspondent depicts can
exist between the boys and girls at
tending our public schools, and if it does,
an establishment of separate rooms,
high walls between the Fairgrounds,
separate dismissals, and any other rules
and regulations having a tendency to
convince boys that they are young
reprobates, who are never courteous,
kind, and pleasant but by compuIsion,
would certainly increase, rather than
remedy the evil.
We are reminded, in this connection,
of friend who taught her children to
let things alone by putting them out of
their reach. If the two-year-old evinced
desire to play with the spittoon, he
was prevented by his judicious ~
mother, who placed the article on the
mantel-piece. Should he become seized
with desire to ride the shovel or tongs,
| these were hidden under the bed, and so
on; and his good mother imagined she
was, by this process, teaching the child
to let things alone. Not housewife
in all the village but dreaded the ad-
vent of one of these children into her
sitting-room, for being trained to be-
lieve that everything within their reach
was their Legitimate prey, they inaugu-
rated a reign of terror wherever they
went. We remember now with a smile
the helpless, distressed look of that
mother when on a certain occasion she
had placed the spittoon in a neighbor's
parlor on the highest shelf of the what
not, the books, albums, and other arti-
cles from the center-table on the farthest
verge of bed, the fire-shoveI behind
the same, the brass andirons out in the
yard, and had poured out every drop OF
water which was up from the spring, to
see the young hopeful bestride the me-