High school students learn to make choices independent of what other people expect of them. Despite this, Haven students are limiting themselves because of social norms.
We’ve written before about how national trends manifest at Haven. And when left unchecked, these at times unsavory manifestations of national trends can creep into our school.
Yet too often, boys are dissuaded from participating in “feminine” classes, and social pressure prevents them from doing something they would have enjoyed. Likewise, girls far too frequently face barriers to entering male-dominated fields like robotics or firefighting.
The restrictive bane of gender roles has slithered much too far into our student culture at Haven. Students should not feel pressured to take certain classes and avoid others purely due to something that has little to do with their interest in the field.
Classes like Computer Science, AP Physics, AP Macro/Microeconomics, Childhood Development, Clothing Construction and Design, Psychology, and others face high gender disparity because of gender norms and viewing these subjects as “masculine” or “feminine.”
This can lead students to undercut their own active interest and engagement by involving themselves in classes and activities they have little to do with. This will lead overall to less vibrant and engaged classes.
When students self-segregate not based on their own interests and not on arbitrary characteristics, disinterest is stoked. Classes can’t effectively educate interested (and therefore engaged) students if interested students aren’t even taking the class.
Education is simply more effective when interested students make up classes, not students who feel pressured into classes because of conformity. A 2024 study of physics classes showed that gender-diverse classrooms improved outcomes for all learners regardless of gender.
When falling into conformity, people can fall victim to peer pressure, which impacts mental health and can lead to risky behaviors, making it harder for students to voice their own opinions. Conformity can also harm students by stifling creativity, individuality, and critical thinking — all traits for maintaining engaging classrooms.
Engaged classrooms are necessary for quality education. Engaged classes lead to improved academic performance, motivation, and student retention, resulting in better learning for all students.
When students step out of their comfort zone, it benefits all.
Haven students deserve more than social norms placed on them. We all benefit from classrooms and spaces of passion and curiosity rather than congruence.
With dozens of classes represented through the Silver Guide and over 60 clubs and organizations, Haven students are not short of opportunities and activities that they can find real interest in. All it takes is the extra step to cut through the noise.
All it takes is showing up to an interest meeting or clicking “sign up” for a class come course selection.
It can be difficult to take the first step, but as more and more students step out of their comfort zone, that will in turn make it easier for others to do the same.
As a new semester approaches and course selection is pending, step beyond the stereotype, outside of your comfort zone, and seek out what actually interests you; fill an environment with genuine interest and passion.
Take the class that excites you. Join the club that you’ve always wanted to be part of. Ignore the pressure.
The unsigned editorial represents the opinion of the Editorial Board, which consists of the majority of student editorial staff listed on this page.
