I've gone to an all-girls, K-12 school since forever. Since before I knew that boys existed, before I thought that they had cooties and before I decided that, in fact, they are actually cute. So, I never thought it was strange that everyday I would only see girls, girls and more girls. In my gender-segregated world (from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.), I grew up without learning proper communication skills for when it comes to the other sex. While I could speak to boys on the most trite or specific concepts, I was clueless when it came to just simply hanging out with guys.
So, when I was 13 years old, I found myself alone and scared, sitting in the corner of a foreign room. Unsure of what to do, I watched as families crossed the room -- each speaking a different language -- while trying to guess which country they were from. Every so often, in the midst of dialects, I would pick up a word or a sentence in English. It wasn't the fact that at this multicultural camp in Switzerland, I was halfway around the globe from my family, nor was it the fact that I was in a country whose language (or at least a quarter of the languages) I could barely mutter that made me feel so terrified. It was simply that I didn't know how to behave around the majority surrounding me: teenage boys. Like do you say to introduce oneself, "Hey" or "'Sup dude"?
While I eventually broke out of my shell that summer, learning how to be friends with the male population, I realized the pros and cons of going to an all-girls school. I love that my single-sex academy taught me that not all women have to be damsels in distress. We can be strong (not feeble), smart (not dim-witted) and defiant (not oppressed). And, most importantly, we were taught never to believe that girls can't do [blank]. After all, stereotypes are always overrated.
But, my school isolated me from the real world. The world isn't just the kingdom of the legendary Amazons; men do exist. Instead of reenacting modern society inside the confines of school, where men and women can/do work together equally, I only really saw female laborers and female brainpowers. I can count the number of male teachers I've ever had on my hands. While one could argue that this gender ratio furthers the thought that females are ultimately potent and fervent leaders who can do anything without the help of men (and they can do it in heels!), it discredits the travails of men. And in the real world, people of both genders do work.
Another thing, all-girl high schools do not teach girls how to interact with the male population. Sure, they have those yearly or biannual dinners and parties, where you can mix and mingle with guys in a very awkward setting. But, that's not hanging out; it's merely contrived society. It shouldn't be an event to see the male population, as it only heightens the difference between sexes.
Today, thanks to going to a coed camp, I am much more at ease when spending time with the other sex. I do not worry about how to introduce myself or what to say, unless it is, of course, someone I think is cute. Though, I would recommend an all-girls high school to every girl, since it fosters a true feminist mood. Yet, I would caution her to make room in her life for men and to realize the true benefit they add to her viewpoint. Men are not always a dispelling force when it comes to "girl power." Still, I can't wait to go to a co-ed college.