The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1922-12-08
EDITORIALS
Sex Segregation Unwise.


Owing to the fact that there is sex
segregation in many secondary schools,
it may be interesting for us to consider
the advantages, and disadvantages, that
are to be derived from such a ruling. OF
course there are advantages in the
system now in force In the
first place, if we had the boys and girls
separated in the classroOms, the cOntri-
buttons to the class work which are de-
rived from the various and separate in
terests of the two sexes would be lack
ing in the second place, normal, friendly
relationships would be discouraged, and
he relations of boys and girls would be
much more artificial than need be; and
thirdly, it is valuable experience for
both boys and girls to understand each
others viewpoints.
Some of the disadvantages Of the pres
ent system, however, are that in mixed
classes there is liable to be diffidence
and awkwardness or else, as is some
times the case, the other extreme. An
other disadvantage is that, as il is gem
orally believed, boys think more quickly
IN some subjects, girls in others, and
therefore faster progress could be made
Il they were separated.
Our first conclusion is that as it is
absolutely necessary in later life to have
learned how to deal successfully with
both men and women, since the world is
made up of both, it is particularly es-
sential to have grasped the viewpoints
of both at an early age. Sex segrega-
ton is therefore not usually wise.
CliqueS in b. III. S.
1t has been stated in an earlier issue
of The Spotlight that there are prac-
tically no "cliques" in 3. II. s. 1t is
this writer's opinion that there are
Webster says that clique is a mar
row circle of persons associated by com
mon interests, or for the accomplish
ment of certain purpose, small and ex-
elusive group" Thus by this we can
see the advantages and disadvantages of
clique" The Ku Klux Khan is a
clique" but on the other hand many
uplifting valuable clubs are "cliques."
But in B. II. S. there seems to be an
air of 'cliqnishness" between the courses
of study. This is not to be found so
much between the courses of general
and commercial as between the last
named and the college course. Here the
writer notices the prevalence of such
conditions.
The prep" pupils seem to hold them
selves above the commercial students.
but are they, the members of the prep
course, any better than those in the com
mercial course? Surely, fortune smiles
on the prep" students, as they are able
TO 90 to college.
This air of loftiness is. not meant by
the pupils of the prep" course. but it's
there and ought to be done away with
But how can this be done? One method
would be to mix the home rooms in the
lower classes, not have college prep
pupils away from other members of
their classes.
This is a school. one school made up
of about 400 pupils, each and every
pupil here with the desire for an educa-
ton. Can it be given each pupil if the
other 3S9 are in a series of small cliques
who hold themselves aloof from each
other? friction is produced the bear
ing is getting hot and is liable to burn
out; oil must be put into it. The oil is
No cliques in b. II. s."