Title IX analysis
This remains as one of the most outstanding rules of all time in the country. In a time when instances of discrimination in the country were rife, the president at the time signed this rule. At the time, the law was only signed as a way to silence the many people who were against discrimination. However, this law has stood the test of time and remains as relevant as it was during those years. The most simplified description of Title IX is a rule that protects people based on discrimination. This discrimination is particularly on matters of education programs and all the activities that actually are recipients of federal financial assistance. In fact, this law is of the Educations amendment in 1972. This rule covers many areas where there is a chance of discrimination occurring. First and most notable is sexual harassment. Through this regulation, it is now illegal to sexually harass anybody especially to the women. Another issue that prompted the passing of Title IX in the first instance was athletics. At the time, there were unequal opportunities for women who wanted to participate in athletics, which has been changed by the regulation. Finally, the regulation provides that there should not be any discrimination based on pregnancy.
History of Title IX
In order to understand Title IX well, then it is imperative to understand the history surrounding it. The history dates back four decades ago in June 1972. During that year, Richard Nixon signed this educational amendment after the Congress had duly enacted it (Kwak, 52). Two years later, there was a proposition to have the Tower Amendment although it was not passed. This amendment was arguing on the exemption of sports that produce revenues from this regulation. It took only two more months, and in July, there was another proposition that there should be regulations catering for some provisions based on the nature of the sport. This meant that the events with larger crowds did not have to be compared with those, which did not have these specifications. Ford signed the Title IX athletics regulations within a year of the propositions. The year that had the most congress reviews and alterations for Title IX was 1975 (Kwak, 52). After being presented to the Congress, there was enormous condemnation from some quarters of Title IX. After all this commotion, the agreement was that, the regulations would be used in athletics. All the high schools and colleges had a minimum of three years to follow it while for the elementary ones it was one year. In 1976, the NCAA argued that Title IX was illegal and in the next year, there was another proposition in Congress to exclude the sports that generated revenues from Title IX. However, this was not granted a hearing. In 1979, the decision was that the policy should ultimately focus on offering of equal opportunities (Kwak, 52).
Impact of Title IX
Title IX has an enormous impact since its inception. Majority of these changes that Title IX has brought are in the education system and in athletics. Through Title IX, women have the ability to find and take advantage of opportunities both in the class and outside.
Impact of Title IX on athletics
Perhaps the biggest influence that has been brought about by Title IX is the rendering of discrimination between women and men in sports as illegal. The games for women in schools have been on the increase in the last 40 years since the introduction of Title IX. The ability of these students to participate in sports in the early stages of their lives creates a chance for them to further their passions professionally (Hardy, 12). Back in the day before the Title IX, this was unheard of, and it was relatively hard for women to be professionals in sports in comparison with the men. It is difficult to even imagine that four decades ago, girls in schools were only allowed to dance in schools while the boys played in the fields. The chance of girls getting athletics scholarships was almost equal to zero. In fact, the discrimination was so severe that the girls were forced to think that involvement in physical activities was not only unfeminine but also proof of lesbianism (Hardy, 12). This was the main reason that led to the rise in cheerleading rather than the girls taking to the fields. However, thanks to the Title IX, there have been many notable changes. Many economic effects have arisen from women seizing their opportunities.
For one, it is through the Title IX that some of the most renowned characters in women sports have risen. Amongst the top and elite athletes of all time, most have thrived in the period between the last 40 years all thanks to the Title IX. There has been the creation of professional bodies for women sports since then. Most notable is the WNBA, which has translated to success for many women in the industry. It is imperative to point out that the league has been in existence for the last 17 years (Hardy, 17). According to Susan Ware, there were less than 295,000 girls and 30,000 women who were participants in athletics. However, by 2001, this was not the case anymore. In fact, 2.8 million girls were actively participating in high school sports. Moreover, more than 150,000 women were active in college sports (Ware, 32). The sources of most of the players who ply the trade in this league come directly from colleges and high schools. Considering the situation that was there in the early days before Title IX, it is almost unimaginable the progress that has been made in the last four decades. This professional level of play for women has taken them to great heights where they have been able to represent even their own countries. This is the case for the many athletes who are currently in London for the Olympics and doing the country proud. Were it, not for Title IX, all this would still be a mirage.
In athletics, Title IX has not only offered for promotion of the players alone. With increased funding directly from the finance-controlling departments of the institutions, the impact has been outspread. For one, the availability of more girls in sports prompts a demand for the coaches. Professional bodies like WNBA also require that there are coaches for the league (Ware, 65). This creates job opportunities for coaches and other training staff. In the past before the enactment of Title IX, it was unheard of coach training girls. Many parties including President Obama have outlined the acknowledgement of Title IX. In his statement when celebrating 40 years of Title IX, the president highlighted it as a landmark in the country. Through Title IX, there has been an increase in confidence levels of the girls in school. In fact, more girls are graduates in the same schools compared to the boys. From the sports, women have had the chance to experience teamwork and create ethics that have led them to the right way when it comes to success in life (Hardy, 12).
There are some real life examples of people who have benefitted from Title IX in particular. One of them is Pat Summitt. Just recently, the president claimed that he was honored to present a medal of freedom to the visionary leader of basketball for women. This woman has been around for the whole period before, and after Title IX. During the beginning, she had to drive the team to away games in spite of being the coach for the same team. Not only did she act as the driver for the team, but also she was also responsible for washing their uniforms using her own resources. Considering that there was a time during her career as a coach that her team had to camp outside because of lack of a hotel, she believes that the Title IX is the best thing to happen to a woman in the country (Ware, 167). In spite of all this, she still led her team to many victories and created her own mark in the history of women sports as the coach with the most wins ever at the college level. Her story just serves as a real example of the strides that women have been able to make in athletics all thanks to Title IX (Davies et al, 34).
Challenges to Title IX and room for improvement
In spite of all the advantages that are attributable to Title IX, there are still some challenges. Recently, there have been calls from some political grounds that have been attacking Title IX. According to these sources, Title IX is still weak and should not be held as legally binding to all situations. Schools have also been given the go ahead to scrutinize potential participants. The sad part about this is that is can be done through just an email survey. The ramifications for this are dire since the school has the power to defund such projects. Another challenge that affects Title IX is the settings of the schools. I the recent years, there have been a rise in the same sex schools. This means that there is an irregularity in funding for the individual schools (Davies et al, 45).
However, there are still areas that Title IX has not been able to cover comprehensively, although there is still a room for improvement. Women still do not have adequate teams in comparison to the men. Women are also subjected to few scholarships in the sports. The budget for the two genders is also not similar and there is a vast disparity. This is mainly due to the nature of the sports between the two genders. In the country, most focus is placed on football, which is a game predominantly for boys. However, it is still necessary to highlight the importance of Title IX in the history of the country. Women did not have a say in athletics a there was constant discrimination in all forms. This varied from educational, sexual and in sports (Davies et al, 34). In athletics, this has changed a lot and there us much freedom for women. It is now possible to ply in a women’s team with all the resources. It is also possible to participate in professional levels in sports and even represent the country in international tournaments. A straightforward example of the success of the Title IX is the amount of success that the current squad of athletes in the Olympics is achieving.
Works cited
Davies, Julie A.Bohon, Lisa M. “Re-Imagining Public Enforcement of Title Ix.” Brigham Young University Education & Law Journal 1 (2007): 25-81. Professional Development Collection. Web. 4 Aug. 2012.
Hardy, Lawrence. “The Legacy Of Title IX.” American School Board Journal 199.8 (2012): 12. Master FILE Premier. Web. 4 Aug. 2012.
Kwak, Sarah. “Title IX Timeline. (Cover Story).” Sports Illustrated 116.19 (2012): 52. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 4 Aug. 2012.
Ware, Susan. Title Ix: A Brief History with Documents. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2007. P
