Your child interacting with children of the opposite gender is part of healthy growing.

Should we segregate students on the basis of gender(paalinam) ?

Many schools & colleges in our Country, in the name of culture & discipline (ozhukam) don’t allow boys & girls to mingle with each other. They can’t talk to each other, in the institution premises/campus. In certain institutions students can’t use the same corridor & staircase. Students are viewed even in the school/college bus through cameras to ensure that they don't speak to the opposite gender. Disciplinary action is taken against the ones who do not follow these rules.

We shouldn’t segregate students on the basis of gender, from childhood itself. Your child interacting with children of the opposite gender is part of healthy growing. 

Students who grow up with a mixed gender group develop mutual respect for each other. If a boy child and girl child, are close friend, they will treat each other well from the beginning.

It paves way for a male child to know what a girl goes through, as she matures into a woman. He gets to know the physical challenges she goes through during her menstrual (madha vidai) period. He learns that it is not an easy job to travel to school/college, complete assignments, study for test/exam & manage physical training classes while she is menstruating. He learns from his fellow girl classmates about the family influences (kudumba thakkam), cultural constraints (kalachara katupadu) & societal restrictions (samuga katupadu), a girl faces.

 

Boys who socialise with their fellow girl classmates know how to decently behave with a girl in public. They are more likely to be protective of a woman. Such a guy will not eve tease nor sexually harass a woman.

Similarly a girl learns the way a boy thinks & behaves, the difficulties a boy faces in his day to day life. Men too undergo family, peer & societal pressures (azhuthm). They are not even allowed to cry, as our society thinks that a man who cries displays weakness.

Anyone who feels hurt can cry emotions all the same for all.

There are many people & organisations (amaipu) which speak about women empowerment (membaduthuthal) & work towards it. But Im unable to recollect any which work for men.

 

So we adults need to think broadly & encourage the younger generation to grow healthy through interactions with their fellow classmates without gender bias (paghubadu)& stereotypes (ore madhiri).

 

A wo/man who has closely watched her/his fellow guy classmates as a child, is likely to be an understanding &supportive life partner, and a responsible adults. Offenses and crimes against women will reduce.
Thus our society reforms itself for the better and becomes a safe & healthy place for all.

We need to give our children the roots of responsibility & wings of Independence.

Swathi Priya. P

Counselling Psychologist

www.mindmake-upclinic.com