Gender Equality In College Sports

Research Paper A legislation aimed to provide gender equality throughout schools is the target of many lawsuits from various sports associations. Title IX was signed into law in 1972, enforcing gender equality through collegiate athletics. Since then, the numbers of female athletes have drastically gone up, while male programs have faced extinction. Sport-leaders and athletes both have very differing views on how the policies have affected collegiate sports. Because of an indefinite legislation, Title IX has helped females in sports, while putting male sports on the brink of extinction. Title IX’s flexible legislation is causing outrage throughout collegiate athletics. At first, the legislation demanded women had an equivalent opportunity based on their interest. Interpretations changed over time to making female sports proportional with male sports. Standards involving proportionality in sports are difficult for schools to comply with because interest in sports is not directly proportional. Football teams …show more content…
Before Title IX was enacted, only 1 in 27 girls played varsity sports in high school. The numbers have changed to 1 in 2.5. Since Title IX has been implemented, women's success in obtaining degrees in areas like law and medical industries has skyrocketed, possibly in thanks to increased scholarships (“Title IX Laws and Intercollegiate Athletics.”). Female success in college has become much more common since the signing of Title IX. Even with women's sports programs being added, it is extremely difficult to match participation of a large team like football. Female athletes are allowed to participate in multiple sports in an attempt to raise these participation numbers ("Title IX Under Fire as Colleges Cut Teams."). Some schools are finding ways to make it easier to comply with the laws, but it is still challenging. After Title IX was signed, females have become more prevalent in collegiate