Title IX: Debunking the Myths

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Title IX. And while many of us are familiar with the legislation through its connection to sports, it may come as a surprise to some that Title IX was created to level the educational playing field at the college level.

Yes, it’s true. The legislation was passed with the intention of preventing sexual discrimination in higher education, says lawyer Judith Lichtman in the 2012 issue of Washington Lawyer. “People often think about Title IX in the athletic opportunity context for women. God knows that’s a very important context, but [while] often less recognized, the importance of Title IX in prohibiting sex discrimination in education was much broader,”

Lichtman, a senior advisor at the National Partnership for Women & Families, has fought to implement Title IX legislation. In the article, she goes on to say that the legislation shaped curricula at colleges and universities across the country, and that it also provided young women with role models in both academics and athletics.

Title IX not only benefits women by providing more opportunities for them to excel in college, it also benefits men. It’s a fact that as women’s athletic opportunities increase, so do the opportunities afforded to men. What’s more, men’s opportunities still outpace women’s, even with Title IX legislation in place.

So while it’s important for young women to have greater athletic opportunities, just like their male counterparts, having an academic setting that includes women is an even greater accomplishment.