Final answer:
The P.E. teacher should consider separating genders in contact sports around the ages of 13-14 years when physical changes due to puberty become pronounced, leading to increased risk of injury for females. This decision aligns with the conclusion of puberty for girls and acknowledges the biological differences that emerge between sexes during adolescence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct option : c
The appropriate age for a P.E. teacher to shift students from mixed-sex groups to separate sexes due to the onset of puberty and potential risk of injury in contact sports is c. 13-14 years. Puberty in females typically begins between ages 9 and 10 with visible physical changes. During this period, the separation may not be as crucial. However, as children approach the ages of 13 to 14, the physical disparities between sexes become more pronounced. It is during this age range that girls complete puberty, and the biological differences in strength and size become significant enough to consider segregation in high-contact physical activities to prevent injuries.
The concept of separating genders in a school environment is not new, and it has been influenced by longstanding practices of reinforcing gender roles and stereotypes. These practices can range from the types of classes suggested to each gender to the differing treatment of boys and girls within the classroom. These may result in a competitive rather than collaborative educational environment. Additionally, the way teachers sometimes position students according to gender may unintentionally enforce gender-differentiated behavior patterns. During puberty, girls mature faster than boys, and by the age of 14, they are typically nearing the end of the puberty process, which justifies the P.E. teacher's decision to segregate by sex for contact sports around the ages of 13-14.