Billie Jean Research Paper

The literature review of this article focuses on Title IX itself, as well as statistical numbers that provide the reader knowledge about the impact it has had. Title IX is a comprehensive federal law that has removed many barriers that once prevented people, on the basis of sex, from participating in educational opportunities and careers of their choice (Bower & Hums, 2013). Acosta and Carpenter (2012) reported that the number of female athletes playing college sports has risen from 16,000 in 1968 to over 200,000 in 2012. Although the increased number of opportunities has provided women the chance to participate in the sport, the percentage of women coaching women’s teams has decline over time from 90% in 1972 to 42.9% in 2012 (Acosta & Carpenter, 2012). Alongside coaching is the lack of women working in intercollegiate administration. In 1972, the percentage of female athletic directors overseeing women’s programs was 90%, Today, the percentage of female athletic directors is 20.3%, a small increase from 2010

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.

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.

While Title IX is often thought of “the women’s sports bill”, the history and progression of Title IX suggests a far more complex history. In fact, as Amanda Ross Edwards suggests, Title IX’s shift was reaction to public conflict about the bill that was spurred after the bill’s creation. The conflicts surrounding the development of Title IX suggests that debates about who should be included in educational spaces and who should be excluded from those spaces did not cease upon the Brown vs. Board of Education or after the development of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As we examine the controversy and discourse of Title IX—especially regarding women in sports—it becomes clear that the American public was still very much interested in creating

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.

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

“It is different to imagine tennis without Serena Williams who have influenced a generation of female players and left a mark that no sibling in sport’s can equal”. (Glyn Clarke) Her prominence in tennis is growing this includes her impact on inspiring African American tennis players. Before Williams, black athletes faced unique challenges, but Williams helped promote progress , instead of over focusing on the negativity. She is working so that future athletes won't have to face the same inequality . “ Serena has been at or near the top of her sport longer than almost any other athletes. ”(Lindsay Gibbs) Before Serena entered no female had earned over 56 million dollars in prize money . Tennis today is much more depth and quality competition than existed during the 1970s and 1980s. When became the second African American women to claim a Grand Slam title , later becoming a U.S. Open Champion. Before Serena no tennis player brought a mixture of maturity, fashion , business and a foot in the entertainment realm as an actress. Williams had been the likely target for a new generation of record chasers yet to

Sports. Generally seen as being controlled and played by men, with women often being left in the shadows lacking the same degree of acknowledgement by the media and society as a whole. Billie Jean King, a world famous tennis player throughout the second half of the twentieth century was determined to change this stigma. She was not only a tennis player, but an activist for female equality and by merging these two passions together she has helped to make great strides in the equality of women. Throughout her career she had to stand up against the chauvinist, stereotypes, and judgements that were constantly being bestowed on her.

Billie Jean King: Portrait of a Pioneer shows the dedication and drive that women had to have in order to be successful at sports in the twentieth contrary. Billie Jean King who came from a very athletic family first got her inspiration to succeed at sports from the athletic sermons she herd in church every Sunday as a young child. One of her friends was starting to play tenses and she wanted to start also. After working around the neighborhood to earn the money for her first racket, Billie Jean King overcame many obstacles along with great personal struggles to become the best professional tennis player of her time.

King proved that women are equally talented as men through the match. The fathers of young girls approach Billie Jean King almost daily to tell her how the Battle of the Sexes changed their lives, and how they raise their children differently because of her role in the match. King continued her fight for equality through creating foundations and organizations that supported the movement for women’s rights in sports. These organizations included the Women’s Sports Foundation, Virginia Slims, the Women’s Only Tournament, and the Women’s Tennis Association.

“The US Open was the first major Grand Slam to offer equal pay for men and women in 1973, after women’s champion Billie Jean King threatened to organize a boycott of the tournament” (Shuster). Billie Jean King has been an advocate for equality from a young age due, in part, to the fact that growing up she was discriminated against at tennis clubs because her parents did not have a great deal of money. Even though many people at the clubs disliked King, she excelled, started to play in major tournaments and quickly earned her place in women’s professional tennis. King’s most famous match was titled the “Battle of the Sexes” because she played the outspoken male chauvinist, Bobby Riggs. When King beat Riggs, she created a defining moment in

Wills helped women get the rights to play sports, she opened opportunities for other women playing sports. During the 1920s, she won six Wimbledon crowns, two French Open championships, and several U.S. National titles. Earning international fame for her tennis ability, Wills opened the door for other female athletes (Bankes 3). In the 1920’s at first they did not recognize African Americans.

Her journey to success began on November twenty second of 1943 when she was born in Long Beach California. Before she got married her maiden name was Moffitt. The Moffitt family was a sport oriented family. Billie’s father was offered a tryout for the NBA before becoming a firefighter. Her mother, Betty was a swimmer and her brother became a major league pitcher. She started with softball at the age of ten playing the position of short stop. Then she was introduced to tennis. She saved her own money to get her own racket at age eleven. At fourteen she won her first tournament. A year later she started to receive coaching from Alice Marble, a former tennis player.

On September 20, 1973 Billie- Jean King took on men’s champion Bobby Riggs in a battle of the sexes tennis match. Riggs was known for criticizing women’s sports and female athletes. King stated, “I just had to play, Title IX [the ban on gender discrimination in federally funded educational programs] had just passed, and I wanted to change the hearts and minds of people to match the legislation” (Smithsonian). King beat Riggs in three straight sets, inspiring female athletes across the globe to break gender barriers.