DePauw Junior Published in Cincinnati Enquirer

October 15, 2005

October 15, 2005, Greencastle, Ind. - "The simple perception is that young men are innately immature and the only remedy is to place them in a classroom with young women. In actuality, students better learn how to be mature through self-discovery, not through competition for attention from members of the opposite sex," writes Jake Federle, a DePauw University junior, in today's Cincinnati Enquirer. Federle offers an editorial reply to an October 11 story in the newspaper that suggested high school same-sex classes provides a less effective learning environment than what is found in classrooms where young men and women study together.

Federle, identified in the column as an English major at DePauw, argues, "Same-sex schools allow students and teachers to focus on elements of high school more important than contending for interest. In a same-sex environment, more emphasis is placed on ideas than appearance, teaching students to look past superficial characteristics in the classroom, workplace, and beyond. By operating on the same principles that guide successful businesses -- hiring based on attributes, not surface characteristics -- same-sex schools are preparing their students to be future leaders in the world."

Access the complete column, which is published in today's newspaper, at the Enquirer's Web site.

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