Is this gender descrimination?

Question

A school district in Austin, Texas has opened up a girl’s only science magnet school. The rational for this school is that girls need to be given extra encouragement to go into science related fields and that they need a school where they can study without having to worry about teenage boys being, well…, boys.

While I certainly agree that dealing with hormonally challenged teenage boys can be a problem for girls during high school, this means that my soon to be high school aged son, who has already been identified as a GT kid in multiple subjects including math and science, will have one less GT science program opportunity to choose from simply because he was born with a Y chromosome.

Frankly, I believe this to be blatant gender based discrimination, especially since this school is funded by my tax dollars?

What do y’all think?

Does my son have grounds for a lawsuit against the school district for not allowing him to attend this school based solely on his gender?

Answer 1

My rule of thumb is, if you switch the genders in the original discussion, how would people react to the changed premise? In this case, if they had set up a science school just for boys the community would be howling for blood and filing lawsuits left and right. So, a science school just for girls is indeed gender discrimination.

Answer 2

I'll sidestep the issue of whether single-gender schools are a good idea - some evidence shows that they are, but I have mixed feelings on them.

That said, if the school district is providing a female-only school with no equal male-only school, it's clearly discriminatory. Even if there was one for each, I'm still not sure that they wouldn't end up in some discussion about separate-but-equal schooling.

From everything I've read though, if they were going to try and level the playing field between the sexes, they should have created a male-only school first. Males in K-12 are seriously falling behind females in scholastic achievement and admission to college. I won't try and start a new line of thought on that, just stating a fact.

I believe the Austin school district should have to prove in court that there was a shortfall in female scholastic achievement that could only be addressed through the creation of a female-only school, and that this did not unduly harm the scholastic experience or quality of either gender's time in public school.

Answer 3

Lawsuit? Probably if you really wanted to take it that far. However, since this is really in the best interest(s) of your son, my initial response would be to contact the principal of the high school and voice both your opposition and your concerns. Is there a similar class being created for just the boys?

If there is no satisfactory answer, then I would contact a representative of the district, and then the state, to voice your concerns. I wouldn't bring up "lawsuit" or such, until and unless you've spoken to those school administrators and still feel that your son is losing out on some facet of his education. Using that :lawsuit" threat should really be a last resort, as you want the school system to work in tandem for you, and more importantly, your child.

Also, and just as important, are your son's thoughts, views, and opinions as to what is taking place. I think at times we're so focused on what we think should transpire, that we forget that it's really about our children, and that they have input as well.

Best of luck with this.

Jeff

Answer 4

There are government funds set aside for non-traditional study for both boys and girls. The reason is to create equality in all fields (or at least improve it). One school that wont accept your son shouldn't be seen as some big problem, there are plenty of other schools out there. Honestly, it kinda sounds like you're just trying to start trouble where there needs not be any. Would you threaten to sue a sorority that wouldn't accept your son? A college that's only for working adults who wouldn't otherwise be able to go? Or a predominantly black school that exists to encourage education for minorities? Your son can easily go to one of the other schools, and as long as the programs are equal, I wouldn't worry about it.

Answer 5

Why not go before the city council and recommend a magnet school for boys? Studies have shown that both genders excell better when not distracted or competing against the opposite sex. Why not just split the campus? The kids can meet for lunch or breaks, but the individual classes only cater to one gender. No need to be so upset about this - you can make a difference, just make your opinion heard to the right persons.

011807 3:51

Answer 6

Boy Travis - this is a curly one! Here in Australia we've also tried programs like this, not entire schools which seems to be what you're talking about here, but "positive discrimination" in some fields to encourage girls (and minority groups) to take on certain career paths, particularly maths and science. It seems to have mixed success. What DOES work is positive role models. We have some wonderful science "personalities" who do school and youth radio and TV presentations and kids (and old fellers like me) love em. Dr Karl (who kids love because he thinks like them) and his Lab Rats (who include Dr Bernie - the boys call her Bunsen Bernie becuse "she's hot") have done wonderful work. The science educators' association also make a point of using very "sexy" young men and women as spokespeople - sexy they might be but boy, are they all smart. This seems to me to be a better way to go: when kids see scientists with supermodel/rockstar looks and a great sense of fun, they have scientist role models who are not "nerds" or "geeks" or whatever other horrible terms we might apply and make the field very exciting. Mildly sexist maybe, but once kids realise they don't catch gender germs off the opposite sex, this is a quick way through to them - whew, sorry, I'm a windbag!

Answer 7

Is it discrimination? Yes. To be discriminating is not in itself a bad thing - given the racial, gender and ethnic prejudices of our past, we only think of the negative connotations. Discrimination is also about making a choice and preferring one thing over another - in this case the district is choosing an all girls school to promote better science education among girls. In another instance it may be a choice to put in a new football field or a school for musicians. Given the need to encourage and develop women in the science based industries in this country, I think it outweighs a generalized claim of harm by male students.

Many years ago a very high performing all boys school in my city was made to go co-ed. I disagreed with this because I think there is some value to having ONE single sex school for boys in the city. We still have an all girls high school - guess no boy wants to fight his way in.

BTW, you're not the only tax payer in town...I'm sure the parents of female students also have to pay up.

Answer 8

no, you would just be wasting time and $...school districts have the right to set admission standards for the schools under their control..as long as there is a high school for your son to attend he is not being discriminated against...there is a good chance that the school is not a GT program...it is considered a magnet school because it is attracting a specific kind of student...it is also possible that the funding for this school came from a private initiative, or it is a charter school...

Answer 9

women folk receives a fee as a lot as men- a minimum of they ought to, and they do (in powerful industries like the pornographic marketplace, ha ha- its genuine!) for the most section. besides the undeniable fact that there are excuses that stem from honestly lady traits that many times reason employers to no longer promote women folk, etc. Like maternal go away, and many times even being a lot less resilient, etc. even as a cutting-part day feminist might want to assert: 'there is clearly a difficulty - we ought to continually provide up giving beginning, become lesbians, start up on bodybuilding routines, kill all the boys and genetically engineer lady babies' (<---a some distance cry from what they initially fought for, which became the very good declare to equality and freedom); i imagine women folk do extra useful at administration/administration proper jobs in the midle of the job spectrum (in words of pay) and some human beings quite choose lady receptionists, secretaries, clerks, assistants, etc. In maximum Asian international places (Japan, Singapore, etc.) or maybe some ecu international places there is in no way quite been a difficulty of sexism, human beings have continually been considered equivalent. The self-satisfying issues that inflict North u.s., etc. is specially the aftermath of adopting a strictly secularist philosophy. besides the undeniable fact that they are going to get by it quickly adequate!

Answer 10

I live in austin myself. I understand that most girls dont usaully care about science, but that shouldn't be a reason for them to get their own special school. If it was a private school then there would be nothing said but if its tax payers money then I believe a lawsuit is fair game! They should have thought about it first! The only reason people are saying your a whinner is because their all girls. They like the thought theres a SPECIAL school for SPECIAL girls. IF it was the other way around they would be Bit**ing themselves!