Would you send DD to male majority middle school?

[Anonymous]

What are the pros and cons here? Its 60% male overall, but higher in some school activities. My DD has never had the easiest time with girl friendships, but I think many of the girls who go to this school tend toward being more socially awkward and not very girly themselves. On the other hand, it could feel very awkward to always be one of a handful of girls. I'm just not sure how this would play out.

[Anonymous]

Yes, assuming you think is the right school academically.

[Anonymous]

60% male means it is 40% female right? I'm guessing that they will never been the only girl in the room.
As a STEM professional, for large parts of my career I was in the minority and I never felt uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

I am also a female STEM professional and have been in the minority in classes and school. It's not been an issue.

My own middle school DD would not enjoy it, but that's because she vastly prefers female friendships right now. For a different kid, I think it would be just fine.

[Anonymous]

My 12yo DD would be happy. I think it depends on how many kids per grade though.
If it’s a tiny grade of like than 40 kids that would concern me more.

[Anonymous]

Sure, why not?

My HS had 2 males for every female student. It was fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:60% male means it is 40% female right? I'm guessing that they will never been the only girl in the room.
As a STEM professional, for large parts of my career I was in the minority and I never felt uncomfortable.

17% nonbinary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are the pros and cons here? Its 60% male overall, but higher in some school activities. My DD has never had the easiest time with girl friendships, but I think many of the girls who go to this school tend toward being more socially awkward and not very girly themselves. On the other hand, it could feel very awkward to always be one of a handful of girls. I'm just not sure how this would play out.

40% isn't a mere handful

[Anonymous]

40% is still a lot. If she goes into engineering, it will be more like 20%.

[Anonymous]

60/40 isn't something I'd throw a school out over. 80/20 I'd have a lot of questions about (in either direction) but 60/40 should be a nonfactor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:60/40 isn't something I'd throw a school out over. 80/20 I'd have a lot of questions about (in either direction) but 60/40 should be a nonfactor.

This

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are the pros and cons here? Its 60% male overall, but higher in some school activities. My DD has never had the easiest time with girl friendships, but I think many of the girls who go to this school tend toward being more socially awkward and not very girly themselves. On the other hand, it could feel very awkward to always be one of a handful of girls. I'm just not sure how this would play out.

What do you mean by 'not very girly?'

[Anonymous]

It would depend on whether the school was a good fit, academically, and WHY the school hadn't done more to have parity. Any time there's a gender imbalance, it can lead to a socially-aggressive environment for girls. This has been shown to be true on college campuses, at any rate. The NYT had an excellent article on the subject a couple of years ago.

That said, like other posters here, I've been a female in STEM, and it has mostly been OK.

[Anonymous]

Is this a special needs school? If so, I’d be much more concerned about whether they could meet my child’s needs than they genders of the other students.

[Anonymous]

Sounds special needs