During the Seventies many protests against the Vietnam War and Civil Rights Acts developed. One of the protests was for the Women's Rights. In 1972 legislation passed an addition to the Educational Amendments called Title IX. Title IX states that there must be equal opportunities for men and women in the in all athletic competitions. Whether that means funding, practice time, rules, or any other privileges.. it must be equal to the same privileges that men's sports teams have.
Title IX states:
"No person in the U.S. 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 aid."
Before title IX women had been discouraged to participate in sports, they were traditionally thought to be of less importance in comparison to men. Their roles were to cook, clean, and follow the commands of men. Through Title IX the participation of women in high school and intercollegiate sports increased because of the equal opportunities given to them.
In the present day Title IX has allowed for women's athletics to gain more respect throughout the world because of the creation of professional women's leagues such as, The American Basketball League (ABL), The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), The first women's baseball team named The Silver Bullets, and the equal participation in the Olympics. Thanks to Title IX many women and girls in the United States will have a chance to show themselves as athletes instead of stereotypical housekeepers. As one women has said before "Sports is no longer a privilege women have to ask to participate in, it is now a right."
Lynne Antinarelli student at Noble and Greenough School
Mr. Kelley Class of 2000
For more info on Title IX here are some web cites
Title IX library
Presentation on Title IX
Outline of Title IX
Brief Overview
Here are some Graphics
Gender Equity graphic
Background on Title IX spreadsheet
Graphs of Sports participation< >
Have a nice day!! =)