Why do we have single sex schools?

Tradition and retrograde ideas about social interactions between boys and girls still inform discussions around co-educational versus single-sex schooling, write University of Sydney authors for The Conversation. When students walked through the sandstone gates of Sydney's Newington College for the first day of school last week, they were met by  protesters. A group of parents and former students had gathered outside this prestigious school in the city's inner west, holding placards decrying the school's decision to become fully co-educational by 2033. Protesters have even  threatened legal action  to defend the 160-year-old tradition of boys' education at the school. One  told Channel 9  they fear the change is driven by "woke [..] palaver" that will disadvantage boys at Newington. Newington is not the only prestigious boys school to open enrolments to girls. Cranbrook in Sydney's east will also go fully co-ed, with the decision sparking a  heated community debate.