Opposing view: Law's original intent has been
twisted; men's programs sacrificed.
Here
we go again. Yet another Title IX anniversary marred by the elimination of men's
sports teams, and yet another set of excuses why Title IX quotas are not to
blame. Five years ago, on the 25th anniversary of the law, we were told that
killing men's programs to comply with Title IX was merely the cynical choice of
colleges and universities, not a government mandate. And on this 30th
anniversary, we are hearing a new set of excuses: that overspending on
traditionally male sports is the culprit, or that Title IX
opponents are looking for ways to "sabotage" enforcement of the law by
disingenuously blaming Title IX.
It is time -- it is past time -- to bring honesty and clarity to the
debate over Title IX. On this much, both sides agree: The second half of the
20th century was marked by startling advances in educational opportunity and
achievement for girls and women. By outlawing sex discrimination in how we spend
our federal education dollars, Title IX surely contributed to this progress.
But Title IX today is not the law it was 30
years ago. Title IX has been twisted and perverted into a sex quota responsible
for the elimination of almost 400 men's sports teams since the early 1990s.
Men's Olympic sports such as wrestling and
gymnastics are on the road to extinction in colleges and universities.
Supporters of Title IX quotas sow fear among
Americans by warning that reform of the law will "turn back the clock" for girls
and women. But this is a false choice. The participation of girls and women in
sports had its greatest period of expansion in the years before Title IX quotas.
Reform of the law does not mean women will have to choose between the vast
opportunities of today and the limited opportunities of 50 years ago -- between
the WNBA and playing basketball half-court in skirts.
Title IX was passed 30 years ago this Sunday to provide
equal opportunity for men and women, boys and girls, in America's schools. To
ensure that Title IX is around for another 30 years, its original intent must be
restored.
Jessica Gavora is author of
Tilting the Playing Field: Schools, Sports, Sex and Title IX.
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