The facts and statements about Title IX seem to be repetitive especially in the realm of sports.
-Established in 1972
-Equal opportunity for women as men
-AIAW vs. NCAA
-etc.
But what does it all mean?
Ok sure the basic theme of Title IX (in reference to sport) means that an equal amount of women are able to participate in sports as men. However, this statement only brushes the surface on the full impact of Title IX. Sport has grown so much in our society that it comes close to being the only thing that will have an adult paint his body for a game or cause one to cry after a loss. The power of sports is increasing dramatically. So, limiting participation due to gender in an area of our society with such impact is just as civilly wrong as saying a person cannot vote based on their gender. One thing to keep in mind is that one of the biggest arguments against Title IX is that women athletics do not bring in the type of revenue that men's athletics do. This is true, but it is not about the money but rather giving both men and women the same opportunity to pursue their dreams. Title IX extends much further than just the sports world. Let's say a female who comes from a low income background cannot afford college. However, due to her great athletic ability she receives an athletic scholarship in a particular sport. This opportunity gave her a chance to go to college, and assuming she took advantage of it, developed into her potential and was not limited by gender. So, when looking at the grand scheme of things, sure men's athletics may consistently bring in more money than women's right now, but it is about so much more than that. It is about living up to country's nickname of "Land of Opportunity".
This reflective stance sort of wraps up what Carpenter and Acosta's article "Title IX in Social and Legislative Context" addresses. They go on to explain the struggle for the NCAA to accept women athletics and how the AIAW was a monumental organization to get the ball rolling for women athletics. If it was not for the AIAW, the NCAA might have gotten away with their attempt to exclude athletics from Title IX. I believe as a society, I am guilty of this sometimes as well, we need to stop looking at everything from a money standpoint. First, women's athletics are relatively new anyway so they have a major gap to catch up with and I think we need to be patient and not so critical sometimes. I think if I had one criticism of women athletics right now it would be that in a large number of sports, women play with slightly different rules and regulations. I would like to see this changed just so that women are able to practice and train under the same rules and conditions so that maybe one day they will catch up to men. So not only will we have equal men and women sports, but possibly we will unify sports by combining men and women.
Nathan Wahle
Brady Munger's Comment
ReplyDeleteI really liked what Nate had to say about Title IX. In history, it has been one of the biggest pieces of legislation passed to promote gender equality. Although its main purpose was never sport specific and to deal with sports, it has effected sport in such a way today that without it we would be no where that we are today. Female professional leagues would not exist, and women would just not have the opportunity that men have had.
In Nate's post, he spoke directly of opportunity and really gave great support to the fact of how women deserve all the opportunities that men have. I really liked that, and would even take it one step further using that idea outside of sport in saying that without Title IX, women would not have the success they have had today. Women have ran for president, have been senators, congressmen, Supreme Court judges,CEO's, and everything and anything you could think of. If you asked this question or came up with a list of jobs they had held pre Title IX it would not be near as impressive. It was such a huge piece of legislation in history not only for women in sport but for all of women of society. It is amazing to think that we needed something like that to try and make life even for the two genders, but having it makes our nation a better more equal place.
I agree with the point that Brady made about the overall impact that Title IX has made in society. Paired with the Women’s movement, Title IX has opened up a lot of opportunities for women to participate in sports and in other aspects of society. I do think that because of those movements women have been able to and accepted for running for public office; however, I do think that women would have been able to do these things without Title IX; it would have taken more time to get to where we are today without Title IX being passed in 1972 with the uprising of the Women’s Movement. Also, Women’s sport might not be where it is today, but it would be slowly working its way to this point.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that without the passage of title IX women's sports would be even close to where they are today? I feel in regards to this as though they would not be. Title IX made such a huge impact of the movement at the time that without it there is no possible way they would be advanced even near as far as they are today. I feel without the power that Title IX holds, and what it means to society that we would never get anywhere towards gender equality in sport without it. Even though it's main purpose was not sport, and sport was never really outlined in its drafting but in turn it was one of the largest effected areas that people see today. Obviously it did help in education and other aspects but sport is one of the most known programs helped out by Title IX when you ask a person what comes to mind when they think of it. I truly believe we would not even be close to what we are today without it passing and being in place in society.
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