Does Coeducational Physical Education Help High School Students Reach Their Full Potential?

If maximum skill development is your idea of full potential, no, coeducational physical education probably does not meet this goal. Full potential encompasses more than skill development. Social development is also a component.

Coeducational physical education provides the social context adolescents desire for leisure time activity. The students I work with generally enjoy the social contact of coeducational activities. I observe the smiles on many faces as students communicate with one another in these settings. Students who experience success and fun are more apt to remain physically active. Sometimes opportunities for learning to get along with someone who is difficult present themselves, too.

Men and women are working together more and more in the business world. Learning to get along with and to value and respect the opposite sex is a skill needed for our future employees.

There are also times when activities are best separated by sex - for instance, some gymnastics events and some aspects of contact sports.

If maximum skill development is your idea of full potential, join inter-scholastic sports or take private lessons. Coeducational physical education will help develop a more well-rounded individual.

- Su McCarthy, West Geauga High School, …

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Publication information: Article title: Does Coeducational Physical Education Help High School Students Reach Their Full Potential?. Contributors: Not available. Journal title: JOPERD--The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance. Volume: 67. Issue: 8 Publication date: October 1996. Page number: 6+. © 2009 American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). COPYRIGHT 1996 Gale Group.

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