The early history of physical education for women in the northeastern section of the United States is presented. Short biographies of notable contributors, both men and women, to the expansion of physical education programs, first in womens colleges, and later in coeducational institutions, are presented. (JN)

Selective single-sex colleges provide a more favorable environment than comparable coeducational institutions for influencing White, middle-class, academically capable undergraduates of both sexes to disregard conventional occupational prescriptions based on gender. Sexually segregated academic settings are instrumental in reducing male-female…

Changing views in contemporary society make it important to understand college influences on women's career development. A study to investigate whether women's colleges provide a more supportive learning environment for women to develop their potential than at coeducational colleges is discussed. (MLW)

Orthodox medical education for women in the nineteenth century is examined to determine to what extent women's actual experience reflected their stated goals. It is contended that although women successfully founded some medical schools providing creditable, and in some cases outstanding, training to females, women physicians' ambivalence about…

This study tests the notion that single sex colleges provide a more "favorable climate" for women's achievement than do comparable coeducational institutions. Rather than outcomes, the following college experiences are compared: (1) students' activities; (2) relations with faculty and peers; and (3) sex-role attitudes. Qualified findings…

A study examined the effects of single- and mixed-gender colleges on women's education, using data from the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972. Results indicate women's colleges have a strong, positive influence on educational and occupational achievement, self-esteem, self-control, and views on gender equality.…

Literature from the late nineteenth century and a case study of Cornell University between 1870 and 1900 are discussed in relation to higher education of women to explore how contemporary theorists and academic administrators dealt with the issues. Theoretical definitions of "equal" opportunities for women in academe shifted from…

The social, cultural, and economic circumstances that have shaped the development of women's higher education are discussed. After considering colonial America when women were outsiders to liberal arts institutions, the creation of women's and co-educational colleges is traced and the process by which women of different ethnic, racial, religious,…