Define Co-education Difference between « sex » and « gender »

Workshop « Co-education »

WAGGGS recognises co-education as an educational method that develops partnership between girls and boys on an equal basis and ensures equal opportunities while recognising differences.

[Policy on the enducation of girls and young women in wagggs]

"Sex" refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women.

"Gender" refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviours, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women.

[World Health Organization]

It’s ok for boys and girls to be in the same Cub scouts group.

It’s ok for teenage boys and girls to be in the same patrol.

Teenage boys and girls should not sleep in the same tent during camp.

Boy scouts do woodcraft and carry wood, girl scouts cook and wash the dishes.

Boy scouts should only have male leaders. Girl guides should only have female leaders.

Observe reality and record all observations on: - Structural gender Do girls and boys do different activities? Why? Is the choice of

one gender the result of the choice of the other? - Symbolic gender What kind of femininity and masculinity is praised or criticised,

directly or indirectly, by young people or adults? - Inter-actional gender Who takes up the physical space and space of conversation? Are

there fixed roles? Who takes initiatives, who adapts? Who gets leaders’ attention? - Personal gender

How do different girls and boys fit in with or contradict the pattern? What are the limits for behaviour? What are the consequences for

girls and boys if exceeding limits? Are they the same? Make someone else observe while you work with young people Interview groups of girls and boys Use interview guide in gender research report (Appendix II) Discuss findings and possible improvements Introduce changes to improve practice Encourage and support others to do the same

[Gender issues, One of the boys ? Doing gender in Scouting, Jacqueline Collier-Jespersen]