I would agree with Steven R. Glazewski, that Title IX may not be the best
way to go about gender equity, as it is being implemented by various
athletic departments.  However the idea is about opening doors for people
that have traditional have been closed.  If you don't aim high and try to
set high standards, you don't get much.
 
The whole issue of academics and the value of athletics makes for an
interesting debate.  Certainly participation in some non-school group,
art, music, dance ... is part of being human for many people.  I remember
I did much better in my classes during the part of the year when I was
pressed for time by my outside activity.  Sport or band or ... is not the
ultimate goal for many students, but it can develop another side of a
person and that is important.
 
I think majoring in engineering, or playing varsity women's ice hockey are
very close.  The question is the opportunity to be able to do it.  Men
have that chance and are supported, for the most part, very well.  Women
have not had the same chances and that's what Title IX is doing.
 
Many prep schools do offer sports for women and they do end up playing a
different sport as the seasons turn.  One of the reason the Ivies offer as
many sports for women as they do is that their feeder school have set the
pattern.  But it is still important for the colleges to set the good
example.  If you don't allow for growth, it won't happen.  I found it
interesting reading some of the women's basketball coaches say that
without Title IX they would not be where they are today.
 
I think it is fine to always offer everyone the chance to develop.  The
attitude that there isn't enough interest/talent to make this sports team
be as good as the men's team, is just another way of dragging one's feet.
Any new program will take time to get going.  The point is, as women are
given the opportunities to play sport at a higher level, they are
stepping up and grabbing the challenge.  It is not the same as the men's
game (thank god!) but it deserves support.
 
I would add, many people feel the reason kids pick up something is that
they have a role model to look up to.  If we don't have high level varsity
women's ice hockey teams and national teams, what do girls have to shoot
for?  I have seen more young girls at ECAC Women's League games in the
last two years.  Clearly they are looking at their future and what is
possible.
 
Title IX has done well.  There is still a lot of work to be done.
Fortunately many schools are taking the issue seriously and moving on it.
I believe when the Supreme Court refused to hear Brown's appeal, that
signalled the big push forward.  I still don't think it is about bean
counting.  I think it is about athletic departments and school
administrators being ready to make changes to accommodate all their
students.
 
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