Title IX was a federal civil rights law passed in 1972, by then President of the United States Richard Nixon. It 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.”
Billie Jean King played a crucial role in advancing the passing of this bill. She advocated, both outwardly and in court for the equality of women in sports as well. The impact of Title IX on women in sports can be seen as incredibly crucial and significant in the United States. Before the law, there were about three hundred thousand women in educational institutions participating in sports in the United States. Now there are over three and a half million women doing the same. The law opened doors and smashed the ceiling for women to rise up and be on the same level as their counterparts. According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, female participation at educational institutions has grown by 1057 percent and by 614 percent at the college level.
Consequences for not abiding by the law were the withdrawal of federal funding for the institution, which has served as a reasonable incentive for institutions to be fair and grant equal access to education and sports, to the point at which at no point in time has this consequence been made to come into effect.
Title IX’s approach to sports in educational institutions was twofold. Equal accommodation of student interests and participation, athletic financial assistance program. Things like equipment and supplies, access to overseeing and coaching, locker rooms, practice and competitive facilities, medical and training facilities, recruitment of student-athletes, and support services were required to be given equally to both genders.
Title IX also opened up opportunities for women to hold more coaching positions and managing positions. Even though it has been a reasonable success, there is still significant work to do to achieve equality. Title IX has been a significant leap in the right step, but not the full journey. This has also been limited to the United States; such laws would do well to be passed in other countries.
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