Opinion piece in Australian press on how differentiated education helps overcome stereotypes
The Sydney Morning Herald, one of Australia’s leading newspapers, published a opinion article on the May 2022 elections in this Oceanic country, in which a record number of women running as independent candidates will become members of parliament.
Its author, Loren Bridge, reports that of the eight non-partisan women who were elected, five studied in separate education schools. Bridge, CEO of Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia (an NGO in favor of differentiated education in Oceania), explains why, in her opinion, this educational model helps to overcome stereotypes.
“Clearly, there is something inherent in the girls’ school environment that better prepares women for high-level leadership” , Bridge believes. And she highlights how differentiated schools provide female students with the knowledge and skills needed “to overcome social and cultural gender biases.”
As a result, they are able to break the stereotypical norms that define women in society, Bridge says. “This is achieved through education that undoes the implicit biases that so often limit women” , she continues.
The article also cites a study conducted by the University of Queensland, which found that the confidence levels of girls in differentiated schools match those of boys, while in the general population they consistently have lower levels. Es precisamente este elemento, la confianza, un elemento frecuentemente atribuido a la subrepresentación de las mujeres en puestos de liderazgo, considera Bridge.
Link to the full story: LINK
“Clearly, there is something inherent in the girls’ school environment that better prepares women for high-level leadership”
