American Athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias

Before Title IX was signed by President Nixon on June 23 and went into effect on July 1 of 1972, both women and young girls were excluded from many activities that men and young boys were allowed to do. Since the passing of Title IX, women have excelled in all sports tremendously. This essay will argue that because of Title IX, women can now participate in various activities and sports. Title IX of Educational Amendments prohibits sex discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving any type of financial aid, and because of this enactment made by Congress in 1972, women have left their mark on sports history.

Sports have been a large part of society throughout history. They have brought out happiness, joy, hard work, determination, and teamwork in the individuals that have participated in them. However, there have been negatives involved with sports throughout history also, including gender roles, which are defined as the public image of being a particular gender that a person presents to others. These roles have been created by society and passed down from generation to generation, informing one another of false beliefs that say that one gender, usually males, are better than females. In sports, these often say that women have significantly lower performance levels, show less drive and that women see competition as unnecessary. In reviewing the initial beliefs and problems before Title IX, the role of Title IX, the problems still existing today, and the modern movement, it is seen that progress has been made, but also that there is also more to do.

The idea of equity in society particularly in athletics has been a major topic in athletics for many years. However, in spite of the long and storied history of the fight for equity in athletics we still see a lot of misunderstanding especially involving one particular law. This law is Title IX which has a number of awful misconceptions associated with it even from female athletes themselves. One misconception that is very popular especially among the critics of Title IX is the idea that “Title IX exists to force to schools to drop men’s sport’s”(Kane, pg. 3). This is something that was reinforced by an report authored by Dr. Mary Jo Kane who is a Professor at the University of Minnesota regarding the 40th anniversary of Title IX. Dr. Kane indicated that she opens her sport sociology class discussions on Title IX by asking her class what they know about this subject. Dr. Kane indicated in her report that Title IX “remains a mystery to the vast majority of her students, both male and female” (Kane, pg. 3). Dr. Kane goes on to point out the misconception mentioned above is commonly said by her students including her female D1 scholarship athletes who are the ones that have benefitted most from this law. Overall Title IX is a great law even if it is a law that takes a lot of bad press although this is largely due to the actions or in some cases lack thereof from the leaders who reside in college athletics.

Imagine being a female athlete before 1972, you practice playing basketball everyday just like the boys do, but they have multiple scholarship opportunities to go to college where as females do not. They tell you to be a cheerleader or work in the kitchen and stay at home, but in your heart you are a competitor and have a passion for sports. This is a feeling that many females felt before Title IX; was explicated to give female’s gender equality in sports. Title IX has positively affected women’s sports over the years, but can negatively impact men’s teams, especially within the collegiate field. Title IX has changed budgeting and participation numbers between males and females, while opening up several opportunities for women. I am going to inform you how Title IX affects females and males in collegiate and high school sports, the history about Title IX, facts and statistics, how it has positively changed the way women participate in sports, and what it has to do with race and minorities.

In 1972 Congress passed the Educational Amendments. One section of this law, Title IX prohibits discrimination against girls and women in federally funded education, including in athletic programs. Since its arrival, in regards to athletics, there have been arguments for and against the many aspects pertaining to this law. Title IX has had a large impact on high school and college athletics in the attempt to give females an equal opportunity, but the means by which they are achieving this goal is an ongoing debate.

The creation of Title IX in 1972 banned gender discrimination in schools nationwide, particularly in sports (Huffman 4). Without it, superstar female athletes such as Lisa Leslie, Mia Hamm, or the Williams sisters would not be internationally famous. They also would not have the media exposure they get in sports without Title IX. In addition to the few that were just named, media is focusing more and more on female athletes such as Michelle Wie and this year's winter Olympic silver medalist in figure skating, Sasha Cowen. In conjunction with the popularity of female athletes, Title IX has pushed for equality over the past three decades. In Suzanna Huffman's article from "Mass Communication and Society," it states that "Title IX has encouraged school administrators to work toward gender equity in athletic spending, and now many more women participate in college sports and earn college athletic scholarships than in years past" (4). Although this statement is generalized, it is close to the truth in today's culture among men and women. The impact that Title IX has bestowed on women has created a positive outcome. It is astonishing to see what one document in 1972 can do to increase equality for women, yet create so many controversies with it.

In order for schools to allow and equal set of opportunities for all female sports there must first be space at the school and in the schools budget. Consequently, due to the fact that around the time the law was created the number of male sports were dominant compared to female sports, the schools had to eliminate the count of male sports. A large amount of male students attempted to sue this law as stated by CBS news. The male athletes claimed that by the way the law was being enforced, they felt that their athletics departments were “losing out” to women departments. During a 60 minutes report the women who ran and swam their way through college with the assistance of athletic scholarships were called the daughters of Title IX. For instance, Julie Foudy who claims that Title IX is the blaim for her success of being a professional athlete and the reason she was the captain of a team that won the world cup. Julie remarked upon Title IX with statements such as “We were Title IX babies,” and “I think it all, it all trails back to Title IX, for sure.” For Foudy the law opened doors for opportunist and success for the male students this just so happens to not be the case. In order to comply with Title IX, the schools had to effectuate with what's called proportionality. (CBS news) Proportionality states that the portion of the school that is female must also be the portion of athletes that is female. Therefore setting

Over two decades have passed since the enactment of Title IX, a federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in federally funded education, including athletics. As a result of Title IX, women and girls have benefited from more athletic participation opportunities and more equitable facilities. Because of Title IX, more women have received athletic scholarships and thus opportunities for higher education that some may not have been able to afford otherwise. In addition, because of Title IX the salaries of coaches for women's teams have increased. Despite the obstacles women face in athletics, many women have led and are leading the way to gender equity.

Throughout history, according to the laws of almost every country, males have been the dominate sex. In almost every sector of life, the law has granted men more rights and privileges, whether it be property rights or the right to vote. However, in the United States, ever since women’s suffrage, all women’s rights have been increasing steadily. One privilege that men have had in the past, active and supported participation in intercollegiate sports, has also been opened up to women through Title IX, part of an amendment to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Although Title IX does not solely target sports, its effect on college sports across the United States

In today's society, women and girls have developed an interested in athletic opportunities at the collegiate level. Title IX provided a standard for athletics around the world within the aspect of education, health, and social. The purpose is to not allow discrimination of sex and racism within the terms of provides equal opportunities for athletes. Critics argue that Title IX has a negative impact on the reduction of male opportunities in collegiate athletics. Title IX has affected on the opportunities for growth in women's athletics, but the increase in opportunities will affect the men athletics outcome of opportunities due to the cutting of programs and finical issue.

Prior to the enactment of Title IX, in high school sports, the number of male athletes outnumbered the number of female athletes 12.5 to 1. The year before it passed, fewer than 300,00 girls participated in high school athletics. Just 7% of all high school athletes were girls. In college athletics, only 1% of the athletic budgets went to female sports. After Title IX, there was a 600% increase in the number of women playing college sports. Title IX encouraged female athletics by making them just as important as the male sports. The schools had to be willing to spend just as much time, money, and effort on the girls sport. "Institutions must provide both the opportunity for individuals of each sex to participate in intercollegiate competition, and for athletes of each sex to have competitive team schedules which equally reflect their abilities” (State Title IX Laws).To judge whether or not a school was following Title IX, one of three criteria had to be

Title IX was never thought of as having anything to do with sports, but over time that changed as more female athletes emerged. Billie Jean King understood how women and sports were fundamental in the way society viewed equality, “she grasped something that second wave-feminism often missed-that sports are politics and thus an integral part of the struggle for women’s liberation.” (133) For women to be seen as equal to men, then women had to not only do what the men were doing but do it better. Women who played sports had never been taken seriously until the 70’s, and athletes like Billie Jean King sought to change the way American’s categorized females as weak, non-competitive, sweet housewives and

Although Title IX is widely known for initiating equality in women’s sports, its original purpose was to end gender discrimination in education. In fact, the words “athletics” and “sports” are not even stated in the aforementioned amendment. One positive

Women had very little opportunities before Title IX existed, especially in sports. They were not able to participate in any organized sports because they were only designed for men. Women only played sports or participated in any physical activities recreationally and without rules. In the past, many believed that engaging in physical activity was harmful for women’s health, especially when they were in their menstruation period. Obviously, this idea was thought by a man who believed that it is only fair for women to limit their level of physical activity. However, this did not stop women from going against the norm; many began to value physical activities more as participation and interest increased. This drove them to become more competitive.

Through the model female forebears' endeavor, nowadays, women have obtained an impartial position in most areas, including higher education, skilled occupation and even politics. Title IX of the Civil Rights Law Act, states " No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance" ( U.S. department of education, 2015) . However, it became clear that women have approached a new battle of campaigning gender equality, sports. "Sports, in other words, are not just for fun, are not just for guys, are not just so much background yammering (though talk radio can make it sound that way), but a