The Whole IX Yards: The Impact of Title IX: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
2003; Human Kinetics; Volume: 12; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1123/wspaj.12.2.27
ISSN1938-1581
Autores Tópico(s)Sport and Mega-Event Impacts
ResumoIt is an honor to be selected to present Eastern District Association Margaret Paulding Lecture on this, 10th year anniversary of its inception. I have always had highest respect for members of Eastern Association for Physical Education of College Women (EAPECW) and their commitment to support women in our profession. (1) While I did not know Margaret Paulding directly, I spoke with colleagues who knew her of who were involved in establishing this lecture series. (2) What they all told me was that Margaret was not flashy or set on getting herself or her name in limelight. She was a strong woman whose life and work were committed to principles of EAPECW. She was respected by all who knew her and represented a generation of women who worked to establish highest standards and practices for our profession. It seems fitting today that my presentation will focus on Title IX, a law that has opened so many doors for women in sport and beyond. I have to admit that I borrowed title (or at least a part of it) from two of my graduating seniors who I had pleasure to work with this fall. These two young women did a comprehensive review of Title IX as an independent under my direction. The Whole IX Yards was their working title. I did get their permission to use it though ... which they really got a kick out of. On my own I added, the Good, Bad and Ugly as it seemed so very appropriate as this fall I watched with great concern as a government appointed Commission began to review a law that is one of most important pieces of legislation of this century. It is my intent here to complete a brief review of impact of Title IX on girls and women in sport. Second, I will discuss process followed by Commission on Opportunities in Athletics to review Title IX. Finally, I will share my concerns about final report of Commission and what advocacy efforts need to be implemented to maintain and strengthen Title IX. Let's start by looking at the Good. Title IX of Education Amendments of 1972 is federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. It states: No person in United States shall, on basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance. (20 U.S.C. Section 1681-1687, 1988). It is not a surprise to most people that throughout history women have been discriminated against in our society. There was a time when women were denied right to vote, own property if they were married, attend elite colleges and universities and become trained in many professions. With passage of Title IX in 1972, many doors previously closed to women were opened. In 1972, 44 percent of all bachelors' degrees were earned by women, as compared to 57 percent in 2002. During that same period number of women earning medical degrees increased from 9 to 43 percent. Finally, percentage of women earning degrees in predominately males fields of study increased significantly from 1971-72, to 1996-97. 'In some areas, women now outnumber men (U.S. General Accounting Office, 2002). Title IX also brought about major changes in athletic opportunities available for girls and women at all levels. During 1971-72 academic year, 29,977 females participated in collegiate sport. Twenty--nine years later in 2000-01, that number increased by over 400% to reach 150,916. What is interesting to note is 36% participation rate increase for men in collegiate sport from 1971-72 to 2000-01. And today, college females still have 58,000 (38%) fewer opportunities to participate in intercollegiate sport than their male counterparts (NCAA, 1982,2001). Similar increases are shown at high school level with 294,015 girls participating in interscholastic sport in 1971-72 and 2,784,154 participating in 2000-01. …
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