whew, glad I wasn't hijacking!

You said:
by seperating them, though, would that be hindering them or sheltering them too much??

we are only hindering them or sheltering them if they miss out on life lessons that will help them develop as confident, intelligent and happy young women. I don't see how teasing and taunting from a gender that doesn't have a clue-- is something good for a person-- at such an impressionable age. ( just my opinion)

Good that you told your son about a females purse. I did similar when one of my boys at 10 took his 12 year old niece's purse-- the fear in her eyes-- poor thing. I told him that a female's purse is always off limits--- and then of course being a curious child-- he wanted to know " Why". I did explain in a way that was compassionate yet that I felt he understood.

It's all very hard as a parent!

Wishing you well!

mandy