A new study from the UCD School of Education reveals that children in co-educational schools have more friends than those in single-sex schools. The report indicates that girls in all-girls’ schools have fewer friends and less empowerment, while friendships among boys are often based on popularity. Notably, the study highlights differences in confidence, self-esteem, and academic engagement across genders and school types, concluding that societal norms and roles heavily influence children’s educational experiences.