As recently as 100 years ago young children didn't attend Mass. I get this from reading the lives of many saints where they will mention taking turns to attend Sunday Mass. Parents often didn't even attend their own child's Baptism, having the Godparents take the child to the church.
In the SSPX chapels of today, children as young as 2 weeks are in attendance.
If women and children are separated from the men, this would last about 2 weeks, as the women couldn't control the number of little children in attendance.
Society is trying and succeeding in destroying the family. Why should we even consider separating a family at Mass when in some cases Mass is one of the few times in the week they are all together?
Then there are us seniors. Often, (very often) one spouse is the care giver of the other. They are familiar with every little tell tale movement that indicates a potential problem and many, though they look OK are there only because they have assistance. Think of the spouse with mild to moderate dementia. Without the spouse right beside them neither would be able to attend Mass. Remember, people are living a lot longer now than 100 years ago.
Segregation may sound desirable but in this day an age I don't believe it to be practical. Better to preach and practice self discipline.
The family that prays together stays together.
Interesting post:
You begin by observing the old common sense practice of families leaving infant children at home (and taking turns at Sunday Mass), but then finish by suggesting this practice (and segregation generally) would destroy the family...even though families were much more stable when this law was in effect than they are since its (alleged) abrogation.
You therefore view it as evil, apparently on the basis of rationalized inconveniences and subjective/personal hardships, but exceptions do not disprove the general rule (particularly when one compares the Church of that era compared to our own, and views the fruits of both Codes of Canon Law).
As far as preaching and practicing self-discipline, I recall a sermon on this subject from Fr. Beck, in which he observed "men are like microwaves, and women are like ovens:
The latter take a long time to warm up, but the microwave is hot immediately." This means that accidental glances are temptations, which no degree of vigilance can prevent, and (quoting Fr. Beck again) "those women who say men just need to control themselves are naive about human nature." I can't remember, and don't want to put words into his mouth, but he MAY have even suggested that retort is disingenuous (the sermon was on the subject of modest clothing for women).
PS: The slogan that "the family that prays together stays together" does refers to prayer in the home, not Mass attendance.