The July/August issue of Women's Health magazine has an excellent article on Title IX, the legislation that made it illegal for schools (from elementary schools all the way through graduate level) to discriminate on the basis of sex under any circumstances. While it actually covers everything from keeping school advisors from encouraging girls to take home ec or "feminine" classes over "masculine" classes such as auto shop or woodworking, as well as sexual harrassment of female students by teachers, the main focus from the media and parents is on sports.
Opponents of Title IX say that the legislation has led to the cancelling of boys' sports due to lack of funding, thanks to costs incurred in the creation of teams and facilities for girls. Proponents say that the enforcement of Title IX has led to better health and well-being (physical and emotional, as well as mental) for girls countrywide thanks to greater opportunities to participate in physical activities and team sports.
So why the recent hubbub and the focus in Women's Health this issue? According the article, Title IX could lose ground due to a "clarification" by the Department of Education stating that a school is considered able to prove its compliance with Title IX by claiming that it's already giving female students athletic opportunities...and the proof comes by email. Basically, a school could simply send out an e-mail survey to the student body, and if no one says they want a specific team or sports opportunity, they are considered to be satisfied and the school is in compliance. In other words, even if your teen daughter has never been offered a shot at, say, the shotput, and doesn't realize she might enjoy it, the school doesn't have to offer it to her. If she doesn't ask for it, they don't have to provide.
Hmmmm. Well-known women such as Olympic gymnast Dominique Daws and supermodel Emme are asking questions, making statements, and joining the fight for enforcement. Wonder why?
If you want to learn more, check out these links, suggested by Women's Health:
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