Gender Inequality : Like A Girl

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.

In 1972 a policy known as Title IX was written and mandated into Federal policy. Title IX states “no person.....shall, on the basis of sex….be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance” (Glenn Sacks, “Title IX Lawsuits are Endangering Men’s College Sports,” p. 3). Many high schools and colleges have not been able to comply with the Title IX standards mostly because of money. After more than 30 years since the beginning of Title IX, there is still no gender equality among men and women in sports.

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.

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.

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 athletic programs. As a result of Title IX, women and girls have benefited from more participation opportunities and more equitable facilities. Women who were under 10 when Title IX passed have much higher sports participation rates than women who grew up before Title IX. Fifty-five percent of the "post-Title IX" generation participated in high school sports, compared to 36% of the "pre-Title IX" generation.35 Because of Title IX, more women have received athletic scholarships and thus the opportunity for higher education than would have

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.

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

Title IX was a law signed in to make sure than no one is excluded based on gender. When the law was signed in, the numbers showed that it helped get women more involved in sports. However, with more women involved in sports, men are still the favored gender and women are discriminated against. Women are discriminated against in sports shown by fewer opportunities in high school and college level sports, unequal treatment of women college athletes, and unfair opportunities and treatment to women coaches.

Title IX is a federal law that was passed in 1972. The law states that on one can be kept from participating in any education program or activity because of his or her sex. Before Title IX took effect, women rarely played sports at the college level, and you never saw a woman coaching a sport. It was very unheard of for colleges to have several different girls’ sports teams. The Gender Equity in Athletics and Sports acknowledges, “Before Title IX, women were 2% of the college students participating in sports” (1). Title IX gave women who wanted to be able to play sports the opportunity to do just that. Today we have thousands of women athletes at the college level, and some of them have even moved on to play sports professionally. Terrance Ross confirms, “At the collegiate level, there are currently more than 207,000 female student athletes, a 180 percent increase from the early 80s. Much of this success can be attributed to Title IX” (6). Thanks to Title IX, our daughters have a better chance to go to college and play the sport they love and to fulfill their

Society has largely ignored and discriminated against female athletes. For a long time society portrayed female athletes as masculine, butch, and homosexual which has influenced the amount of women that choose to participate and excel in athletics. After noticing these problems, feminists attempted to reverse these trends and produce better opportunities for female athletes. By advocating for equal rights as well as pushing for legislation, they enabled women to use sports to improve their health, create new identities, and venture into male-dominated areas (Prakash, 1990). Because of this, Title IX was introduced to the world of sport. Title IX states that 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

Title IX came to be in 1972. It was put in place by Congress and became an educational amendment. This law has specific sections, and one section states that girls and women who are in federally- funded education programs also including athletics are not to be discriminated against. It is no secret that females have more of a hardship than men in a lot of areas with sports being one of those top areas. This amendment ensures that girls and women will get the same opportunity and fairness in athletics just like men do. In result, females have even had better facilities as well as the equal opportunities. Things have gotten better for females, but this amendment was not welcomed in the beginning when it was first implemented. People complained that boy’s/men’s sports would suffer a loss because of this, specifically the NCAA and high school administrators. “Title IX passed with little controversy in 1972. Soon after Title IX passed, however, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and high school administrators complained that boys' sports would suffer if girls' sports had to be funded equally. Regulations about how to implement the law were not released until two years later, and these regulations did not go into effect until July 1975. Even then, the Office of

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 of the Education Amendments of 1972 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.” The impact of Title IX on the lives of so many girls is immeasurable. It has created opportunities for women, where opportunities did not use to exist. Unfortunately, it has not completely eradicated sexism. Women in many professional sports, which are also played by

In the spring of 1972, the president signed Title IX of the educational amendments. The purpose was to avoid use of federal money that supports sex discrimination. Title IX requires all schools provide men and women equal athletic and educational rights and opportunities. Congress allowed colleges 6 years to achieve compliance. Prior to the signing of Title IX, girls didn’t compete in organized sports. Oftentimes outside of school girls played rule-less, non-competitive, informal sports for physical activity. After the signing in 1972, colleges

Women have always been the minority in the world even today: that is in the work force or even in sports. Title IX, an act that was made by the United States Congress in 1972, said that no one should be denied to play, receive financial aid, or discriminate to any education program or activity that pertains to only one sex (Senne 1). This act was a step towards improving female participation and lessening discrimination, but the stereotypes that most of society believes in still exist. This is one of the main reasons why women are discriminated when it comes to sports; by limited payroll, limited media coverage, and stereotypes.