FREE ESSAY ON WOMEN'S RISE IN SPORT

WOMEN'S RISE IN SPORT

The Difference Sports Participation and Title IX Have Made
Amanda Sprouse
The United States of America was built, ideologically speaking, as an escape from a
regimented way of life. It was based, in theory, on freedom of expression. However, it
was built by white men, for white men. Every major institution was created through a new
constitution; a set of laws that would allow men the freedoms they were not capable of
attaining in their homeland. Not once were women taken into consideration; at that time
it was absurd to even think of allowing women these very same freedoms. Since the
beginning, the very socialization of women was against them living their lives as free
individuals.
Hundreds of years later, much has changed for women. Perhaps one of the most dramatic
shifts has taken place in the world of female athletics where, to a certain degree, the
establishment of professional athletics for women is now a reality. This is due, in large
part, to the introduction of the Educational Amendments of 1972. Title IX, which came
from these amendments, states that: 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 educational program or activity receiving Federal financial
assistance. Although athletics are not the specific target for Title IX, they have become
a focal point due to the fact that it governs colleges, elementary schools, and high
schools.
As mentioned above, the patriarchal system in which we live has led to the political
socialization of women as inferior to men. Two examples of this are that our constitution
refers to a human being as a man and that women are expected to give up their name, an
important part of one's identity, when they marry. This argument includes a socialization
basis of sexism, which states that the inequality of sexes is based on the variation of
the socialization each receives. 
This way of thinking was evident in every inch of women's lives. It held them back in
exercise, but more importantly, it held them back in education and employment
opportunities. Vast improvements have been made over the years, particularly in the last
twenty-five since Title IX was enacted. In 1972, women earned 9% of medical degrees.
Three years ago, that percentage was up to 38%. The percentages look better in terms of
law degrees, where women went from earning 7% of law degrees to earning 43% of them.
Since 1977, the percent of females earning doctoral degrees moved from 25 to 44%. All of
these increases give reason to celebrate what Title IX has accomplished. However, for
those who have been in constant battle in the long war against sexism, these statistics
are seen as long past due and still not up to par. Sex discrimination has been passed
down from generation to generation and even with the women's movement and laws like Title
IX, the fight continues to be lop-sided and in favor of men.
There are many complaints about the slow moving progress of Title IX. However slow this
progress may seem, statistics indicate improvement and that is worthwhile. This is
particularly obvious in the athletic arena: Female participation in athletics has
increased dramatically since 1971, when there was only an 8% participation rate among
high school girls. By the 1994-95 school year, it rose to a staggering 40%. Meanwhile,
boy's participation has remained fairly stable. These statistics are a stumbling block to
the arguments of Title IX opponents. They claim that Title IX should not be enforced in
college athletics because there is a lack of athletic interest on the part of college
females. The fact that high school participation is only 10% away from a
50-50-participation rate indicates a lack of opportunity in college athletics, not a lack
of interest.
Quite obviously, women today have an unprecedented amount of freedom compared to those
raised a mere twenty-five years ago. Today, more girls are encouraged to participate in
sports and other activities. They are able to dream about being bigger and better than
girls of the past. College is now a viable option in a young woman's decision for post
high school plans. An occupation, beyond being a wife and mother, is well within reach.
What is important about all of these changes in respect to female socialization is that
they are no longer fantasy, they are reality. Just knowing this has important
implications for the paths that girls and young women can and will now choose.
As female participation became acceptable, many little girls and parents jumped on the
opportunity to take part. Like female dress codes that once kept women from wearing
trousers, the negative attitudes slowly began to erode. Of course, stereotypes and myths
surrounding the physical inferiority of females continued and jokes like, you throw like
a girl are still made. However, the athletic ability of females was finally seen publicly
and at that point, their rise in sports was inevitable. Soon, talent scouts began to see
the potential to make money, which led them to see the potential futures for young women.
The emergence of female participation in the Olympics as well as professional tennis
played a major role in cracking the masculine sports line-up.
Opportunity is perhaps the biggest factor that changed what had limited women for so
long. As women competed publicly, they gained more respect, but more importantly, they
became role models for millions of little girls and young women who could now truly dream
about a life in professional sports. They no longer have to dream about being the only
female on a professional team because there are now both male and female leagues. The
fact that women are competing on national television has continued to break down
stereotypes that women are incapable of being competitive, intense, physically strong,
and skilled. Public exposure is one of the most important ways in which women can
continue to gain access to opportunity.
The last dimension of power is process. People work hard to strengthen their power and
hold others back. This is an on-going process of struggle that, for a very long time,
white men controlled completely. Since this ability is based on the accessibility of
resources, white men had an automatic advantage. Family wealth and property could be
handed down to sons, not daughters. Women were excluded from inheriting money, the most
important material resource our world knows. This provided white men with the ability to
use their supremacy in order to place constraints on female opportunity. White men were
able to unite so that they could protect their interests, which were basically to
maintain their positions of power.
Title IX is important in breaking down this process because it has enabled women to unite
and fight back. Two years after the introduction of this law, the Women's Sports
Foundation was founded by Billie Jean King and Donna de Varona, two of the first women to
successfully compete in professional sports. Today, other female role models like Jackie
Joyner Kersee, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Picabo Street support this establishment, whose
slogan reads: GIVING GIRLS A CHANCE TO PLAY.10 This program works to ensure that girls
are given the same opportunities as boys and to teach women about their rights. 
By understanding how female participation in sports has helped to change the
socialization of women, much can be done to make progress in other areas of women's
lives. The strengths that have been hidden and denied for so long can finally begin to be
recognized in full, which will allow women to be stronger and more confident contributors
to society. Since sports are some of the most public events, they are of the best ways
for women to express their strength and ability to be as effective as men are. This can
be a major factor in breaking down sexist barriers that still exist. When people have
more open-minded attitudes about female abilities, it opens the door for women to be
convinced of their qualifications, gain hope, and perceive increased opportunity. Changes
in attitudes can do more than anything else to make a difference in what a person is able
to achieve.
Title IX has been one of the most influential laws with respect to women, and
specifically female athletes, because it required, among other things, gender equity in
athletics. Subsequently, today's female student-athletes have been fortunate enough to
experience the whole of their athletic careers under a system that includes improvements
in the overall quality of their sport as well as increased participation rates. Both of
these were unheard of by women a generation ahead of them. Most importantly, Title IX has
helped to change the socialization of girls and women. This has provided them with more
opportunities in educational and occupational arenas as well as in life. Now, amidst
controversy and comparisons to affirmative action, it is critical to be aware of the
opportunities that Title IX gives to women in what is still a male dominated world. For
this reason, its existence is necessary and requires a greater effort to enforce gender
equity for continued progress. Increased female participation in sports and Title IX have
changed the political socialization of girls and young women. Both have challenged and
continue to destroy myths that women are inferior to men. They fight stereotypes that
women do not have interest in traditionally male-dominated activities. By breaking down
these barriers, female opportunity can only continue to soar.