In 1976, when I moved to Missouri for my senior year of high school, they explained to me that I would have to take a shop class in order to graduate. Upon further discussion with the school, I learned that the requirement was not shop specifically, but shop or home ec/child care. I asked them why I couldn't take home ec with the girls, and they couldn't think of a good reason other than that had never been done before. So I happily spent one class period a day with all the girls in the home ec/child care class. My social life was greatly enhanced by the experience. I don't know why other boys were unable to figure out that if you want to meet girls, you need to go where they are. And, as for being mocked by the other lads, I was ready, willing and able to send them home to tell their parents that a guy in a frilly pink apron had just kicked their ass. (Back in the day, I lettered in 3 sports and could accomplish that feat. Now I'm just an old crème puff)