One reason I am going to the NCAA Championships is because I’m a huge booster of College gymnastics.
It’s a great training ground for coaches and judges. And a fantastic way for athletes to get a University education.
I’m doing some research before I go. Like most, I’ve misunderstood the purpose and results of Title IX legislation. I’ll be asking College coaches what they think.
I already know that Homer Simpson is old school:
Lisa, if the Bible has taught us nothing else – and it hasn’t – it’s that girls should stick to girls’ sports, such as hot oil wrestling and foxy boxing and such and such.
Here’s a more modern perspective:
Title IX (Title 9) passed into law in 1972 and was intended to give both males & females equal participation and opportunities in federally funded institutions.
Title IX is not just for athletics, but equal access for pregnant & parenting students, employment, and many other important areas. Title IX has increaded woman & girls particiaption in sports dramatically from 1972 (see graph below). As gymnasts, coaches & fans title IX has been important in creating/saving many womans gymnastics programs in the past, and hopefully in the future.
Woman’s Participation in Intercollegiate Athletics
Womans Participation in High School Athletics
Title IX & womans gymnastics is now under attack. The Department of Education has created a new policy for the purpose of “Clarification”. Under this new “Clarification” the only requirement schools have now is to send an email survey to each female student asking if they have interest, and ability to play additional sports. If the female student doesn’t respond in a timely mater, the school considers this as no interested. The Department of Education’s new policy clearly undermines the intent of the law.
… Texas is a fine example of a high interest in womans gymnastics, but lack of collegiate gymnastics programs. The new Department of Education’s policy directly threatens woman’s sports and the progress it woman have made in sports.
Title IX Under Attack > GymnasticsMedia.com > GymnasticsMedia – Articles
The GymnasticsMedia article includes a number of links to more information.
Certainly things have improved for women in USA. Is Title IX a major reason?
How much did it actually hurt Men’s College sport?
Some additional links:
Title IX – Wikipedia
Is Title IX, the law protecting against discrimination based on sex, a good law? – ACLU
Leave a comment below if you have an opinion.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 