When you think of equality in education, nothing is more significant than Title IX. The law, signed by then-president Richard Nixon in 1972, was revolutionary.
Specifics aside, Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in any educational program or activity receiving federal funding.
Since 1972, there has been some progress to level the playing field, especially in education. According to a 2021 study by the Pew Research Center, 39% of women aged 25 or older have a bachelor’s degree, compared to 37% of men.
There has also been a massive increase in girls participating in high school athletics due to Title IX in data from the National Federation of High Schools. During the first full year of Title IX enforcement in 1972-1973, 817,073 girls participated in high school athletics.
There has also been a massive increase in the number of girls participating in high school athletics due to Title IX in data from the National Federation of High Schools. During the first full year of Title IX enforcement in 1972-1973, 817,073 girls participated in high school athletics.
As of 2018-2019, that number has increased by over 316%, with just over 3.4 million girls participating. Due to the Coronavirus, there has been no updated data released.
But there are still some gaps that exist, especially in collegiate athletics. And fifty years later, budgets and facilities are skewed to benefit men’s sports, leaving female athletes to continue beating the drum of unfair treatment.
For some perspective, I sat down with St. Bonaventure alum Rachel Axon. An investigative reporter for USA Today, Axon and her colleagues just released Title IX, Falling Short at 50. The series highlights the fewer resources given to women’s sports, with data to back it up.
In this conversation, three things are highlighted. First, the countless hours and resources put into the project to find the discrepancies. Second, the significant disparities from the report, including four figures spent on socks. And three, what may be next for Title IX in leveling the playing field.
