Reaching a Resolution: The Equity of Title IX.
Is it possible for men to be discriminated against? Does it really happen? What is gender equity? How equal are we? Many men and women alike love sports, and to discriminate against a certain sex by not providing them with the opportunity to participate in the sport(s) that they are interested in is wrong. Title IX is a law that was originally intended to eliminate discrimination based on sex and to allow equal opportunity for both sexes to participate in educational programs. The law itself 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." (Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to the 1964 Civil Rights Act) This law has done wonderful things in the promotion of women's sports and is a great law in its original intent; however, the enforcement of this law has terribly perverted its spirit. In order to enforce this law, certain civil action groups have persuaded law makers to adopt a test for discrimination based on proportionality rather than opportunity and interest. This presents a problem: that proportionality is a gender quota system that discriminates against men rather than promoting opportunity for woman; and should not be used to enforce Title IX. Instead, equity of opportunity should be based on the interests of the students.
What is proportionality? "Proportionality is a gender quota that mandates that the gender breakdown of a school's athletic program match the gender split of the student body. If a school is 55 percent female, 55 percent of its athletes must also be female. If not, then some male athletes have to be eliminated" (Gavora).
