Title IX - the gender equality law that requires schools in the US to offer girls and women equal access to sports - has been fairly successful over the past several decades, but there are still some very rough spots in enforcement.
(Title IX is more general than just sports, but it is usually associated with sports due to the huge disparities that initally existed and still exist to a somewhat smaller extent.
The statement of the law is very simple:
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
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Given the obesity epidemic in the US, I'm a big fan of encouraging physical activity and sports in K-12. This was poorly managed when I was going to school and few kids built healthy lifetime exercise habits. But it is an area where there is great opportunity. Sadly communities are reducing programs with pressures for "no child left behind" programs and budget problems.
College sports clearly have their place and Title IX has produced some programs that has encouraged many girls to become involved in more serious sports - particularly soccer, indoor volleyball and basketball. A friend displayed a remarkable talent as a teenager and was able to attend college on an athletic scholarship - something that may have been otherwise difficult given family finances. On the other hand the pure business aspect of men's football and basketball is another issue - and one that needs serious adjustment.
In the end it makes sense to help kids discover paths that will give them a better shot at being healthy throughout life. This is an enormously complex problem, but physical activity is a piece of it and Title IX is connected. If we, as a society, can make progress here we'll be giving the next generation a remarkable gift.
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