Title IX: Gender Equality In The 1970s Education System

"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 educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance" (as cited in Wulf, 2012). These words, found in an education act called Title IX passed in June 1972, provided women with academic – and eventually athletic – semi-equality. Title IX – was proposed to offer young women more educational opportunities. At the time this act was passed into law, it was incredibly rare for women to hold careers other than those of a mother, nurse, teacher, coach, or secretary. Women were paid significantly less than men were, and few held high-level positions. At the time, Title IX was a shakeup to the 1970s education system because it required gender equality

One immediate effect of this act’s implementation was a noticeable decrease in the wage gap. High school girls began taking trade classes, like woodworking and metalworking. Prior to this, they only could be enrolled in homemaking classes – which consisted of skills like cooking and sewing (The MARGARET Fund of NWLC,n.d.b). Fortunately, Title IX legislation unintentionally opened the door for female participation in athletics: women are now able to receive athletic scholarships and continue pursuing excellence at the collegiate level. While the athletic benefits from Title IX were accidental, they are still vital for the pursuit of gender equality. However, there is still more work to be done in regards to athletics. By a lack of funding and coverage the media is choosing to highlight a female athlete’s femininity over her achievements –negatively affecting the nation’s young female