Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 June 1901 — Disadvantages of Co-Education [ARTICLE]

Disadvantages of Co-Education

For the great majority of girls over fifteen years of age ar girl’s school or college is much to be preferred, in the opinion of one person, at least. I can speak only what I think in this connection. I know that many of the wisest and best men and women will not assent to my reasoning or my conclusons. It should not be forgotten that the emotional life is growing in and dominating the life of all young creatures. Girls can think and study better away from the society of youths of their own age than they can in company with them. To get the best results from study the mind must be kept as free as possible from distractions of an emotionol nature. The associations of school life should be calm, healthful, cheerful and free from all that is exciting or premature of development. The “flirtations” of school and college life are confessed by every one to be out of place and out of time, yet when young men and young women are together nothing can prevent such episodes. This one fact alone tells against “co-education," and so strongly that nothing can entirely offset it. —Ada C. Sweet.