Parents who are new or slightly unfamiliar with youth sports, might be wondering what Title IX has to do with any of it. Indeed, even longtime readers might not be aware of it. Nevertheless, when it comes to youth sports in America, Title IX is perhaps the most important bit of legislation in the past five decades; some might even say, in the history of sports.
There aren’t a whole lot of laws out there when it comes to youth sports, but if any of them have made a difference in the way young people enjoy and participate in organized sports activities, then Title IX would be it. Title IX opened doors for millions of young athletes—many of them female—at a time when those doors had previously remained firmly closed to a significant portion of the American populace.
So yes, it’s safe to say that, even if you don’t already know about it, Title IX may well be the reason that your child or even you, yourself, got to participate in sports. But what is Title IX? And how exactly did it change youth sports in such a significant way for so many?
In this article, we will give you those answers. We will break down Title IX into its component parts and explore how it transformed the youth sports landscape for generations of kids. At the same time, we will discuss the changes the law has undergone over the years and how it continues to shape sports to this very day.
What Is Title IX?
Title IX is a U.S. federal civil rights law. The legislation was passed in 1972 as part of the Education Amendments and states:
“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.”
For those who do not speak fluent legalise, the law boils down to this; any school that receives federal funding (namely public schools and many private ones) is required, by law, to treat boys and girls equally in all educational programs—sports included.
Now, many readers might be wondering, “shouldn’t that go without sayin?” Well, it did go without saying, for a very long time, in fact. Title IX was positively groundbreaking in the bygone era of the 1970s. The year it was passed, fewer than 300,000 girls participated in high school sports. Today, that number is a whopping 3 million or more.
Sports Before and After Title IX
To truly appreciate the impact that Title IX had on the youth sports world, you’d have to look at how sports was before it became law. As we mentioned, prior to 1972, girls did not have many, if any opportunities to participate in school sports. Most schools didn’t have organized team sports for female students and even when they did, the option were limited to field hockey or cheerleading. Moreover, girls’ sports were allocated less money, fewer resources, and worse equipment. In essence, girls would either have to sit on the sidelines of simply settle for less. Society at large didn’t help, either. Young girls were just not given the same opportunities or encouragement in terms of athletics as boys were.
Once Title IX was enacted, however, things began to change; though not overnight. Now that schools had to create girls’ sports teams and give them equal access to funds and facilities, they had to play ball; so to speak. Slowly but surely, things began to shift. Girls’ participation in middle school, elementary school, and community leagues saw sharp increases.
Title IX ensured that girls’ teams had access to adequate practice time on the school fields and courts. It meant that players were given safe, up-to-date equipment, access to locker rooms, and transportation to and from school or meets. Coaches and trainers were brought in and taught the basics behind women’s’ sports education; some of them even women themselves. Girls got the same treatment as their peers, both in high school and in college sports.
College Athletic Opportunities for Girls
That’s right, Title IX also impacted college sports in a major way. The law required colleges to offer the same things that high schools now had to offer, as well as more scholarship opportunities and teams for women. This meant that more women were able to attend college through athletic scholarships. It also meant that more female athletes could go on to pursue careers in the the sports world, including working as coaches, sports doctors, and athletics administrators.
Why Title IX Still Matters Today
Over the decades, much progress has been made, but the work is far from done. Gender equality in youth sports is, and shall likely remain, a work in progress for many years to come. That said, Title IX laid the foundation for many things to change for the better. Unfortunately, despite the law, some disparities still exist for women in sports. By and large, women get less promotion and media attention in sports. They are still generally lacking in resources, funds, and facilities when compared to male-centric sports. There is also a prevalence of lower-quality coaching and less staff support for female sports. Because of all this, girls are still more likely to drop out of sports due to feeling undervalued, underfunded, or unsupported than boys are. In many ways, those stewards of Title IX still need to be vigilant about these discrepancies and hold schools accountable for their lack of meaningful participation.
It Protects All Kids
It should also be noted that, though Title IX was written to address gender inequality, the nature of gender has shifted quite a bit. Thus, the definitions within its legislative acumen have been re-interpreted to protect all students from sex-based discrimination, including gender nonconforming and transgender youth. Unfortunately, the state of the world and country in that regard means that the battle is far from over. Nevertheless, ongoing evolution of the law helps ensure that sports remain inclusive and fair for every child; even as some naysayers attempt to obfuscate the issue itself.
Title IX’s Global Impact
Beyond America’s borders, the reverberating influence of Title IX has been felt by children everywhere on the planet. As other nations see our girls playing sports and winning medals, they encourage their own to do the same. At the same time, we must remember that sports help teach children important lessons about teamwork, resilience, goal-setting, and leadership.
In the same vein, Title IX didn’t just give more children a chance to play. It gave them access to all the benefits that come with participating in sports. Kids who play sports have academic and health benefits that come from physical exercise. They gain teamwork and leadership skills, heightened confidence, as well as the chance to develop a lifelong love of sports. This is all good news for parents, who can feel empowered by the sense that their children really can do anything they set their minds to.
Is Your School Following Title IX?
At the same time, parents need to remember that we too must act as stewards of Title IX sports. We parents are often called upon to speak up when our child’s school isn’t offering our children the same things as other students. Thus, we too play a key role in making sure your child’s school complies with Title IX. Here are some signs to watch for if you suspect your child’s school may be out of compliance:
- If it seems as though one gender has significantly more teams or athletes, they might not be following the laws.
- If it seems like the boys team or even the girls team has better access to facilities, transportation, or uniforms, they could be playing favorites.
- Girls’ teams should be as heavily promoted as boys’ teams.
- If it appears as though the girls have fewer scholarship opportunities or worse coaching staff, something is definitely off.
If something doesn’t feel right, don’t get mad, ask questions first. Speak up when you feel you need to. If you need help, remember that every school is supposed to have a Title IX coordinator on staff. Those individuals are meant to address parental concerns and make changes. If they do not, try outside the school for help. There are many local advocacy groups and PTA organizations who might be willing to lend a hand and raise awareness.
Cultured Athlete Says…
As you can see, Title IX changed many things in the world of sports and many things in the world at large. It has been tested, expanded, and debated at great length over the past fifty years, and yet each time it is referenced, for good or ill, it evolves. Even half-a-century later, Title IX remains one of the most powerful tools for ensuring that every child gets a fair shot at playing sports. No matter your child’s gender, that they are able to play sports with their friends today is a testament to the enduring power of this remarkable bit of legislature.
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