Title IX and College Sports

Paper Summary:

This paper provides a brief historical overview of the role of women in sports. The paper looks at Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and how judicial interpretation has devalued Title IX policy. The paper argues that a series of court decisions regarding gender equity compliance have effectively dismissed two of the test's three factors and produced a mutated version of the law's founding intent. The paper describes how institutional and agency response to Title IX and to these decisions forces the continual containment of female intercollegiate athletics. Finally, the paper considers the most recent Title IX policy clarifications and concludes that until Title IX is allowed to dismantle the socially constructed dichotomy of femininity and athleticism, it will not eradicate gender inequities. The paper uses MLA style footnotes but does not append a bibliography.

Outline:
Introduction
The Role of Women in Sport-Historical Perspectives
Title IX Policy and Implementing Regulations
Judicial Devaluation of the Three Prong Test
Agency and Institutional Response to Title IX
Title IX at Thirty-The Most Recent Mutation of Gender Equality
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"In 1968, a twelve-year old girl was playing catch with her brother before his Little League baseball game. A roving coach noticed her skilled throws and invited her to join her brother's team. Before the enthusiastic girl could shake her head in emphatic affirmation, the coach nonchalantly outlined a couple of caveats - she could play if she cut her hair short, like a boy, and he would call her "Bob." Not brought up to be a "covert operative," she politely declined. Nearly four decades later, accomplished athlete Dot Richardson told this story to the United States Senate as part of her testimony for the promotion and advancement of women in sports. She was that 12-year-old girl, and in the late 1960s and early 1970s, she began her ascent into womanhood in an era when "female" and "athlete" were mutually exclusive terms. Yet, by 1996, having developed into one of the most formidable shortstops in Olympic history, Richardson helped propel the United States softball team to gold-medal glory."

More papers on Title IX and College Sports:

• Persuasive Essay # 119560 : "Title IX and Men's Athletics"
• Cause and Effect Essay # 114418 : "Title IX and Wrestling"
• Essay # 61066 : "Title IX: Women's Sports"

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