The Sophian

Issue date: 10/1/09 Section: Opinions

Questions of Smith's validity and future as an all-women's college are appearing everywhere from dining hall gossip to the Daily Jolt. And for once, people aren't referring to transgender issues. A hot rumor is going around that because of the recession, the administration is considering going co-ed - although it doesn't really add up, considering this move would endanger a large portion of its endowment and the application rate last year was apparently higher than ever.

Still, with more boys than ever in town, on campus and even in the classroom - based on my very unscientific observation techniques - it does raise questions which have been asked for decades. Should Smith go co-ed?

Angry gender-equality boy on the Daily Jolt says yes, asking how one can consider herself a feminist while attending a women's college, which he asserts is a fundamentally sexist institution. The post cites that while single-gender colleges are available for women, there are very few options for men who want to attend an all-male school.

As you can imagine, a flurry of comments appeared, ranging from commendation to outrage. While I think the facts presented in this discussion are correct - there are many more women's colleges then men's - I deny that attending Smith, or even the existence of the college, is sexist.

There still is not an equal distribution of power between genders. Until we see more women in government positions and men and women making equal salaries for equal work, I support anything that gives women a slight edge in the world.

Also, as colleges across the board are receiving more applications from women than men, for many top universities, there is an advantage to being a man. It is easier for a man to get into these universities because they are more in demand. Women's colleges like Smith offer an option for highly qualified women, whose spots at co-ed schools are being taken by less qualified male students.

Although, as a woman, I have no proof to back this up, I've never heard an argument that men perform better without women present. The reason women's colleges still exist is because women still choose to pay high tuitions to go to these private institutions. If a demand for men's colleges grew, then I'm sure some savvy capitalist would create a supply.

Private colleges are businesses that need to make money, and while I know tons of women who would choose to go to a single-sex college, I have yet to meet a man who desires this option.

More and more women's colleges are admitting men, which, in my opinion, signals that the gender divide is closing. However, I certainly hope that Smith will remain a women's college as long as it is helpful and relevant. Although it seems like men would be a perfect addition on a Saturday night, or when it's time to move my futon up from the trunk room, really they would change the entire social and academic nature of the college I've come to love.

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