“In addition to issues concerning socioeconomic status, programs tend to gloss over the particular needs related to gender. Single-sex programs (e.g., Big sister of Greater Boston) are finding themselves under increased pressure to become coeducational, despite evidence that they may be more advantageous to adolescent girls. The mentoring movement has grown so rapidly that research has lagged behind, particularly in the area of gender differences….Such differences may not be directly addressed in the pre-match training that goes on at coeducational programs, diminishing the likelihood that mentors are adequately prepared to build strong relationships with their little sister.”
– Rhodes, Davis, Spencer, & Prescott, “Caring Connections: Mentoring Relationships in the Lives of Urban Girls” (p. 151)

After reading the whole article, it occurred to me that the article lacks of critical perspectives of gender. Thanks to this paragraph in the part of conclusion, it refers to the issues. However, as the authors point out, “research has lagged behind”, especially on gender issues. I agree with the author that a mentor, no matter nature or program volunteer, could have significant influence on adolescents. Especially at adolescent stage, they are through a critical growth on physical and psychological development. A non-parent adult who builds strong relationship with an adolescent plays an important role in mediating and giving emotional support when he/she facing a challenge. However, the Single-sex programs are based on difference theory about gender. Are needs of boys and girls so different as described by the authors? Does this enhance gender stereotyping? In my opinion, mentoring adolescents is much more complicated and there are much more issues we need to considered. How many of these mentors really get well prepared? How to build stable and trusty relationship to mentees? Since adolescents in this stage are much more sensitive and impulsive, how to communicate and know more about each other without just jump in? How can we identify the advise the mentor gives is proper or helpful for the adolescents? Besides gender stereotyping, how about other gender issues such like sexual identity, gender identity and expression? How can mentors give support and guidance without being influenced by individual opinion or religion and how much the mentor knows about the gender minority? Because of this special role in adolescents’ special stage and differences between individuals, it much more needs to be considered.