Women 's Rights Of Female Athletes

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.

In 1972 the Congress passed an Educational Amendment stating that all federally funded schools should not discriminate anybody by gender from playing sports. (History of Title IX. 2011, September 13). The title 9 was made to give equality to all participants who are playing for a school. Mainly for girls who were discriminated from playing sports. U.S Secretary of Education, Rod Paige said “Without a doubt, Title IX has opened the doors of opportunity for generations of women and girls to compete, to achieve, and to pursue their American Dreams. This Administration is committed to building on those successes.” (United States. Department of Education; United States. Secretary of Education 's Commission on Opportunity in Athletics, 2003, 2) Even though this law has been passed and has ensure equality to a lot of woman out there, there is still a handful of high schools that break this law. Torrey Pines High School had a women 's basketball team that went undefeated in the year of 2013. But it still showed that the boys games had more fundings than the girls team. The bleachers would be close to full every game, even though the boys team at this high school didn’t have a great season like the women 's team for this school. According to this

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.

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.

In January of 2011, Delaware University announced that it was discontinuing its men’s wrestling, swimming, tennis, and gymnastics programs (Gottesdiener, 2011). Organizations like this are being diminished and discarded at an ever-increasing rate all across America. College and high school students competing in these athletic events are truly passionate about their chosen sport. In many cases, promising athletes are offered scholarships, initiating a symbiotic relationship between the student and the school they play for. In 1972, a new legislation was put forward with the intent of leveling the school-sponsored playing field. “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal funding” (What Is Title IX, 2014). This law is widely accepted as being an invaluable catalyst for the momentous success in female athletics today. Although Title IX has without a doubt been incredibly beneficial to female sports programs, it has not too recently been the source of some heavy speculation. With justifiable evidence, and passionate fervor, male athletes across America are declaring that Title IX is synonymous with injustice. Title IX was necessary in 1972, but it is now outdated and hindering male athletics. Two conflicting arguments, both with substantial claim, leave room for all but one solution. Title IX, although once

Title IX was signed in 1972 and 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 educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance” (Anderson). With the law being signed in, a 560% increase of participation at the college level and 990% increase at the high school level (“Title IX Myths and Facts”). This shows that women are interested in getting involved and playing and participating in sports but the lack of opportunity kept females from getting involved at both levels. Given the opportunity to tryout for a team or even play recreationally, women jump at the chance.

Goodale and Marbella and Wells share two differing viewpoints on the effects of Title IX. Marbella and Wells argue that Title IX puts men at a disadvantage. Goodale refutes their claim with evidence that Title IX gives women a fair opportunity. Although some men's teams have been cut, women have been given a fair chance. Title IX gives women exactly want they need, a fair chance to join college

In the early 20th Century, women lacked much needed opportunities to participate in college athletics; however, with the coming of a new law called “Title IX”, these opportunities would soon become a reality. Title IX is a law that granted women equal rights to those of men, specifically within college athletics. Prior to Title IX, women were denied entry into specific universities for no other reason than the fact that they were women. When more and more women began to speak out and bring attention to the situation, it became a huge topic that needed a solution quick. Around the nation, Civil Rights Movements and Women’s Rights Movements began to dominate streets everywhere.

Even though institutions are required by law to meet one of those terms, a school rarely complies sufficiently with Title IX. In fact, at a few schools certain opportunities have diminished for women. Since Title IX was passed, women’s teams, at some schools, have shrunk due to death of field hockey in 1991 (Pinney 2). Although it is not required for schools to comply, funding for women’s teams have not been equal either.

Title IX has nine main points in which it protects people from sexual harassment/violence/discrimination. (1) Title IX isn’t strictly about sports, it forbids against sex-based discrimination in education. It addresses discrimination against pregnant and parenting students and women in STEM (science, technology. Engineering, and math) programs. Sexual harassment, gender-based discrimination, and sexual violence is also addressed. Sexual violence, attempted or completed, rape or sexual assault; as well as sexual harassment, stalking, voyeurism, exhibitionism, verbal/physical sexuality-based threats or abuse, and intimate partner violence. (2) This title doesn’t only apply to women – it protects anyone from sex-based discrimination, regardless of their sex or

This past June marked the 40th anniversary of Title IX, a United States law stating 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 or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Although the wide spectrum in which Title IX covers includes many educational issues, its application to NCAA athletics has especially been confounded, because, unlike most educational institutions, athletic programs are gender-segregated by sport. In terms of intercollegiate athletics, Title IX essentially states that that all academic institutes of higher education are

Since Title IX’s beginning, American culture has transformed from looking down on female athletes to admiring them and the benefits they receive. Females no longer need to be overly reminded that they have the right to participate in athletics. Therefore, it is no longer necessary that there be a law dictating that there be equal amounts of male and female

This has led us to believe that men's sports deserve more attention and funds. Title IX fixed the funding issue but made it almost impossible to comply to. The problem with the law was its proportionality factor. There had to be an equal number of sports and similar spending on activities for boys and girls. A few sports that are quite expensive are available to both genders but are dominated by men; such as football and wrestling. The cost of these programs was far greater than the cost of many of the other sports and many argued that because the same amount of money wasn't being spent on females sports, it violated Title IX. The rules for this scenario became lenient because it was impossible to fix the amount of spending that is necessary for certain sports to operate. This issue makes it almost impossible to be proportional so only 20% of all high schools and universities are technically in compliance with Title IX requirements (New Developments Concerning Title

It is the year 2016, the United States has had its first African American president, gay marriage is legalized, and women and men are supposedly seen as equals in the workplace and educational institutions. It is important to note that while steps to equality have been made through the Equal Pay Act and Title IX, gender discrimination is still prevalent in society. The NCAA reported since 1988, in the 2007-2008 academic year, institutions yielded a net gain of 2, 342 women’s teams added to varsity rosters (Pickett, Dawkins, Braddock, 2012). There are now more than 174,000 female collegiate athletes thanks to Title IX (Koller, 2010). Though there has been a substantial increase in female athletic participation, this number is still nowhere near the participation of male athletes. Many women still do not participate in sports due to discrimination and the concept of equality in Title IX could potentially affect women’s interest in athletic participation.

Over 400 Division I men’s athletic teams have been disbanded from existence since the inception of Title IX. Title IX, implemented in 1972, “is a comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity.” (Keating) Title IX has achieved great success with women’s sports since the inception and the number of females in sports is six times greater since the inception of Title IX (diversity.siu.edu). Although it has had great strides with women, it is disadvantaging men, especially in athletics. Title IX requires that colleges give the same amount of scholarships to women as they do men. On paper, this seems to be a great idea, but the consequences were never taken into consideration and caused tremendous problems. In order to give the same amount of scholarships to men and women and be compliant with Title IX, men’s athletic teams have been cut in the process. Men losing the opportunity to receive scholarships for their respective sport at a college of their choice and sports teams getting cut is an issue that needs to be solved. Men’s sports teams cannot keep on being cut, for there are ways in which Title IX must be enhanced to benefit everyone. The problems of men’s athletic teams being cut can be solved by reducing outrageous spending, add women’s programs, and give more control to colleges.