Problems with Title IX

In 1972, Congress passed what is usually referred to as a non-discrimination-in-education law, known as Title IX. The basic premise is "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" (Dept of Labor 1). What is important to recognize here is that Title IX's rules about discrimination affect only those schools which accept some sort of federal funding. Actually, that includes nearly every secondary and college and university, whether the funds come through scholarships, funds for research, even ROTC. In brief, Title IX prohibits "hostile environment" harassment created by students, employees, or others, and until Title VII was amended, Title IX was the only law which prohibited discrimination because of pregnancy.

Specifically, Title IX is recognized as the government finally recognizing that gender discrimination has existed on all educational levels, including sports, and now, by law such discrimination is illegal. "Title IX was the first comprehensive federal law to prohibit sex discrimination against students and employees of educational institutions. Title IX benefits both males and females, and is at the heart of efforts to create gender equitable schools. The law requires educational institutions to maintain policies, practices and programs that do not discriminate against

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as less to do with gender equality as mandated by law as it does for diluting the income from men's sports by having to field female athletic teams. There is reason to fault Title IX as being a statute that favors some sort of reverse discrimination. This is especially true in the areas of school sports where some schools are now literally forced- by Title IX, to provide facilities for female athletes, and top field teams of women where no such teams existed before. It is not even a matter of that these teams need to be good, or constant winners- as some women's teams, especially the basketball teams of the University of Connecticut and U. of Tennessee- are. Schools now have to distribute money to female teams merely because Title IX forces them to do so. As the Women's Law Center quote (above) reflects) is that some women are not even interested in participation, and yet, the school must offer the funds and facilities, according to Title IX. However, to be fair, especially with greater attention paid to better health, exercise and means to overcome obesity, Title IX does seem to offer some opportunities for girls. "In the days before Title IX, only one in 27 girls played varsity high school sports. By 2001, that f

Category: Government - P