Sexism In Sports

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.

Great inequalities in the educational system between the sexes have occurred for many years and still occur today. Efforts have been made to rectify this disparity, but the one that has made the most difference is Title IX. Passed in 1972, Title IX attempted to correct the gender discrimination in educational systems receiving public funding. The greatest correction it made was in the area of athletics, but social justice of Title IX applies to many other areas as well. Title IX has an effect on women who are not athletes in many ways, including quality of education, receptivity to education, empowerment and creation of ideals.

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.

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

Even when Title IX was first introduced, it was not embraced with open arms and immediately implemented into society. Scholarships and funding toward women’s sports were a huge controversy, as many men’s athletic teams, mostly football, found themselves having to give up funding toward their program to compensate for the new women’s teams being formed. In fact, schools, men’s collegiate sport teams, and the NCAA challenged Title IX countless times for it’s discrimination against men and it’s push for equal federal funding for both men and women. Many male coaches, athletic directors, and particularly members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) feared that women athletes would siphon off too much of their funds. So The NCAA had actively and publically opposed Title IX, trying first to exclude athletics from it altogether in 1975, and then working to exempt revenue producing sports like football.

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act 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” (Vest and Masterson par. 1). Title IX has increased women’s participation in athletics tremendously. Before Title IX only 100,000 female athletes participated in high school sports; following the act, Title IX was issued more than 500,000 women participated (“Achieving Success Under” par. 2). Title IX has made progress by increasing the amount of participants and money spent with the women teams as much as the men teams. Even though the numbers are not

Since 1972 there have been many cultural changes, but more incredible are the social changes that have allowed women to thrive since the bill’s passage. Title IX was originally proposed for the purpose of helping women break into male dominated aspects of life including sports, the workforce, and college. Title IX has had the largest impact on sports, from media coverage to finances (Lopiano, 2000). Examining a breakdown of how much

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.

Sexism has played its part in many different work environments for quite some time. It especially raises big conversation, and an ongoing problem in the sports industry. Not only does it affect the women who work in the industry, but also homosexuals, and minorities. For so long sexism has been a topic of discussion, but no real attempts at change have been made. If there was more protection for woman and players who work in sports, it could help to get women more involved in the field, establish rules that will protect people from sexism, and diminish some of the controversy between the two opposing sexes.

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 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

In the past years, equality and fairness was a major issue; therefore, President Nixon signed into law “Title IX Act” in 1972. Now in 2015, women have stepped up to the plate and proven themselves to be equal if not better when it comes to sports; therefore, should be treated equally.

Title IX consists of just thirty-seven words, and it is these words that have transformed the dynamics within the female athletic sphere in the United States. Although the federal law was initially envisioned to assist women in academia, it is currently renowned for its profound impact on American sports (Ware). It is an irrefutable fact that Title IX has vastly increased women’s participation in sports: the law has reportedly increased female participation rates within colleges six-fold from 1972—the year it was passed—to today (Cooky). Opportunities for women in sports have never been greater. However, despite the progress made by Title IX, it faces deep challenges in its quest to achieve true equality. Women’s participation rates in sports still lag far behind men, and one cannot ignore this disturbing reality (“National Coalition”). Thus, the question as to whether or not Title IX has achieved gender equity is highly debatable. This paper intends to understand the shortcomings of Title IX’s goal in attaining true equality through analysis of its limitations. Specifically, this essay will explore women’s history in sports prior to Title IX, the importance of sports for females, an overview of Title IX’s statute, and an analysis of the law’s various issues. To narrow the scope of my essay, I will focus mainly on intercollegiate sports.

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.

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