This weekend marks the 40th anniversary of the passage of Title IX–the legislation that made it illegal for educational institutions to discriminate on the basis of gender.
In its brief 37 words, Title IX doesn’t mention sports, but take a look around at any youth soccer or softball field and you’ll see sports is where some of the biggest gains in Title IX have been made. Little girls are playing sports by the millions.
When not watching the Heat’s run to a championship this week, I worked on a story about Title IX and spoke to coaches, administrators and athletes across Broward County. One of the things that surprised me the most was the reaction I got from some of the area’s top young female athletes. Most of them were familiar with the concept of Title IX, but they didn’t know or understand the specifics. Others didn’t know what I was talking about at all when I asked what they knew about Title IX.
My first reaction was to be stunned. I mean, how could these girls who have benefitted so much because of Title IX not know about the legislation? But after a few minutes, it hit me…they don’t know much about Title IX because they don’t have to.
For many current high school athletes, the concept of gender equality is as normal as breathing. For them, it’s hard to conceive of a time when girls and women didn’t play sports. The idea of playing on outdoor courts while boys got plushy gyms is stunning. In their world, that just happen. And if it does, it’s time to speak up. The WNBA has pretty much always been around. (For the record, the league began play in 1997).
I guess when you look at it that way, Title IX is an absolute success. We’ve come from girls not playing sports to a world where competing is part of regular life. Dillard girls basketball player Kayla Wright jokingly told me that sometimes, the gym is more packed when the three-time defending state champion girls team takes the court then when the Panthers boys play.
Think you could have said the same 15 years ago? 20 years ago? Probably not.
No wonder some young athletes don’t quite grasp Title IX. Fact is, they’ve never had to. And maybe that’s not a bad thing at all. The mindset about women in sports seems to have finally shifted.
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Sep 24, I Get It, But I Still Don’t Really Get It September 26th, 2011
The other morning my son tried to explain to me why it makes more sense for his friend to do his homework and not turn it in than to not do it at all (my argument). I was so confused by his thinking that the only thing I could do was check out this post!
The Homework Blog
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Unfortunately, bed bugs are no longer a facetious warning your mother gave you before sending you off to an elementary dreamland. They’re an actual epidemic. Seems like you can’t go more than a few days without hearing the name, but just what exactly do you know about them?
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Cramster.com Blog
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Don’t Succumb to Summer Slumber! January 8th, 2009
Fall will be here before you know it! Want to know how to prepare yourself for the upcoming semester? We have some easy ways you can earn Karma Points to get the fastest answers to your homework questions.
Yes, yes… I know we’re entering the final sprint of summer. And Fall homework is the LAST thing you want to be thinking about right now. But as Henry H [...]
Cramster.com Blog
Nov 10, Don’t Forget About Weekly Tests and Quizzes January 8th, 2009
Here are some quick tips to share with students…
The Homework Blog