Title IX

Brief Overview

To determine compliance with Title IX, schools are required to fulfill a three-prong test. The first component is known as the proportionality prong. This assesses whether there is substantiate proportionality among the male and female athletes in comparison to the student body. Currently, schools with a 1 percent or lower deviation from this ratio are assumed to be in compliance. For example, if male students compose 50 percent of the students, they should receive 50 percent of the athletic opportunities and the remaining 50 percent should be allocated to female students.

The second and third prongs are quite similar and both deal with fulfilling the interests of girls and women. The second prong challenges institutions to show a history and continuing practice of program expansion for girls and women. Last, the third prong requires that the interests and abilities of the underrep-resented sex are accommodated. These two prongs have been scrutinized by many because it is implied that women are less interested in sport than men. People concerned with the advancement of women's athletics dismiss this claim and promote the idea that if girls and women are given the opportunities, they will show their interest.

Most schools do not comply with Title IX. However, because this law is not strongly enforced, most institutions are not penalized. One way that schools have attempted to achieve proportionality is to eliminate non-revenue-producing men's sports, such as wrestling, track and field, gymnastics, and tennis. Although this is not required, schools find this avenue more attractive than perhaps taking money away from big-time sports programs, such as men's basketball and football, to support women's athletics.

Recent Developments and Overall Climate

There is no dispute that Title IX has created significant opportunities for girls and women to participate in sports. Since Title IX was passed, millions of sporting females have taken the field, and many have become nationally and internationally recognized. Prior to this legislation, excelling in sports was an irrational and unforeseeable goal for most girls and women. The gender climate has significantly changed over the past 35 years. Although girls and women have previously been discouraged from several sources (e.g., medical professionals, physical educators), they are now often encouraged to participate. Despite these progressions, Title IX has endured some heavy scrutiny, causing heated debates on this topic.

...