Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the statute prohibiting sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funds, protects against discrimination in college and high school athletics. AAUW strongly supports Title IX and opposes any efforts that would weaken its effectiveness. AAUW’s 2009-2011 Public Policy Program advocates “vigorous enforcement of Title IX and all other civil rights laws pertaining to education.”1 Since the law’s enactment, girls’ and women’s participation, scholarships, and share of athletics budgets have grown substantially.
Title IX’s impact on women’s athletic participation is one of the country’s greatest civil rights success stories, changing the playing field dramatically for girls and women in sports. In 1971, 8 percent of high school athletes were young women.2 But by the 2005-2006 academic year, 41.2 percent of high school athletes — over 2.9 million — were young women.3 In 1972, fewer than 32,000 women competed in intercollegiate athletics. Women received only 2 percent of schools' athletic budgets, and athletic scholarships for women were nonexistent.4 In recent years, women comprised 57 percent of the college student population.5 Yet they received just 43 percent of the opportunities to play intercollegiate sports, and 33 percent of recruitment funds.6
AAUW believes that expansion of athletic opportunities for girls and women must continue at both the high school and college levels, because it is important not only for the participants themselves but for the benefit of the greater community as well. Studies repeatedly show:
- Girls thrive when they participate in sports and are less likely to get pregnant, drop out of school, do drugs, smoke, or develop mental illness.7
- Girls who participate in sports develop a strong work ethic and good school habits. High school athletes of all races and ethnicities tend to have higher grades and significantly higher graduation rates than non-athletes.8
- Participation in sports teaches women important professional lessons that have lifelong influence. For example, 82 percent of executive businesswomen played sports, with the majority saying lessons learned on the playing field contributed to their success.9
AAUW remains strongly committed to preserving the protections of Title IX and advocates its strong enforcement. AAUW also continues efforts to educate the public about the impact of this landmark civil rights law, and the benefits for the community and the nation when it is implemented appropriately.
For more information, call 202/785-7793 or e-mail VoterEd@aauw.org.
AAUW Public Policy and Government Relations
1 American Association of University Women. (June 2009). 2009-11 AAUW Public Policy Program. Retrieved July 9, 2009, from http://www.aauw.org/advocacy/issue_advocacy/principles_priorities.cfm.
2 Women’s Sports Foundation. (2006). Playing Fair: A Women’s Sports Foundation Guide to Title IX in High School & College Sports, Fifth Edition. Retrieved January 16, 2008, from http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/binary-data/WSF_ARTICLE/pdf_file/195.pdf
3 National Federation of State High School Associations. (September 18, 2006). Participation in High School Sports Increases Again; Confirms NFHS Commitment to Stronger Leadership. Retrieved January 16, 2008, fromhttp://www.nfhs.org/web/2006/09/participation_in_high_school_sports_increases_again_confirms_nf.aspx.
4 National Women’s Law Center. (2002). Equal Opportunity for Women in Athletics: A Promise Yet to be Fulfilled, A Report to the Commission on Opportunity in Athletics. Retrieved August 11, 2009, from http://www.nwlc.org/pdf/EOforWomeninAthletics_APromiseYettobeFulfilled.pdf.
5 National Center for Education Statistics. (2007). Table 188, Total undergraduate fall enrollment in degree-granting institutions, by attendance status, sex of student, and control of institution: 1947 through 2007. Retrieved June 26, 2009, from http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d08/tables/dt08_188.asp.
6 Women’s Sports Foundation. (2008) 2008 Statistics - Gender Equity in High School and College Athletics: Most Recent Participation & Budget Statistics. Retrieved August 11, 2009, from http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/Content/Articles/Issues/General/123/2008-Statistics--Gender-Equity-in-High-School-and-College-Athletics-Most-Recent-Participation--Budge.aspx.
7 Women’s Sports Foundation. (December 12, 2007). Women’s Sports & Physical Activity Facts & Statistics. Retrieved January 16, 2008, from http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/binary-data/WSF_ARTICLE/pdf_file/191.pdf.
8 The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. (July 2003). Not Just Another Single Issue: Teen Pregnancy and Athletic Involvement.Retrieved January 16, 2008, fromhttp://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Not_Just_Another.
9 Mass Mutual Financial Group. (2002). From the Locker Room to the Boardroom: A Survey on Sports in the Lives of Women Business Executives.
