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 anyone based on sex. Under this law, males and females are expected to receive fair and equal treatment in all arenas of public schooling: recruitment, admissions, educational programs and activities, course offerings and access, counseling, financial aid, employment assistance, facilities and housing, health and insurance benefits, marital and parental status, scholarships, sexual harassment, and athletics" (Anon 1).
There was little controversy about...