Girls who attend gender - segregated schools are equal in confidence to their male counterparts , while in mixed - sex schools a confidence gap tends to appear from the age of nine , according to research . The study , commissioned by the Australian Gender Equality Council , concluded that the confidence gap is created rather than eliminated , and was likely to result from socialisation and gender stereotyping at school and at home . But the confidence level of both declined as the students got older. Another important factor maintaining the confidence of girls in single - sex environments was likely to be the opportunity to see girls in positions of leadership , with no question that gender should be an issue .
Girls who attend gender - segregated schools are equal in confidence to their male counterparts , while in mixed - sex schools a confidence gap tends to appear from the age of nine , according to research . The study , commissioned by the Australian Gender Equality Council , concluded that the confidence gap is created rather than eliminated , and was likely to result from socialisation and gender stereotyping at school and at home . Another important factor maintaining the confidence of girls in single - sex environments was likely to be the opportunity to see girls in positions of leadership , with no question that gender should be an issue .