Before and After:

How the Title IX Movement Changed the World for Women

Contents Section I: What was it like before?

How were women stereotyped? What opportunities were available to women? What was the medical stance on women’s participation in sports?

Section II: Who proposed Title IX? Who? What? When? And Why?

Section III: How was it viewed? Who was for and against it? What was the societal view of the movement?

Section IV: What did it change? Were there new opportunities? Was it quickly and widely accepted? How has it evolved to today’s standards?

What was it like before?

How were women stereotyped?What opportunities were available to women?What was the medical stance on women’s participation in sports?

Section IA:How were women stereotyped?

Definition: Stereotype – n. a hackneyed expression,

custom, or mode of thought; a mental printing plate

(Webster’s New International Dictionary)

Discussion Topic: Can you think of some stereotypes women may

have received in the 1800s?

Section IA:How were women stereotyped?

“The Weaker Sex” Physically, Mentally (?!), and Emotionally Were to remain passive, moral, and pure

The Expected Role of a Woman Cook, clean, have and raise children Subservient to her husband Maintain a “beautiful and delicate” body

Perpetually “Ladylike” A woman engaging in masculine activities was socially

unacceptable Any woman doing so could expect to have her gender identity, sexual

orientation, values and social roles questioned Discussion Topic:

Are these stereotypes still in effect today?

Section IB:What opportunities were available to women?

First sports termed “acceptable” for women: Horseback riding

HOWEVER, still encouraged to: Wear “feminine clothing” Ride side-saddle Never go faster than a trot

Sounds fun, right? Croquet

Elaborate croquet dresses encouraged “Strenuous” enough so as not to injure them

Section IB:What opportunities were available to women?

Archery Tennis

Popularity BOOM Women participated at Tennis Clubs Required to wear corsets, petticoats, and long skirts

COMFORTABLE! … not.

All aside, sweating was UNACCEPTABLE, so many games were altered just for women. For example. . .

Section IB:What opportunities were available to women?

Basketball Court was divided into three equal sections Players were not allowed to leave their section NO STEALING THE BALL NO HOLDING THE BALL FOR LONGER THAN 3

SECONDS 3 DRIBBLE LIMIT One point per basket FUN FACT! First women’s basketball game results:

Standford University beats UC of Berkeley. . . 2-1 WOW.

Section IC: What was the medical stance on women’s participation in sports?

Why were men and women alike concerned with making sports “woman-friendly?”

Section IC: What was the medical stance on women’s participation in sports?

Leading Medical Experts claimed: “Vigorous exercise is dangerous to women” “Women are too weak” “Too much exercise can cause infertility” “Sports are too hard on a woman’s nerves” “Sports make women more MASCULINE”

GASP! “They broaden the shoulders, deepen the chest, narrow the

hips, and develop the muscles of the arms, back and legs”(Dr. Dudley A. Sargent, 1912)

Heaven forbid we develop MUSCLES!! “Women should not participate during the first three days of

their period. . . It is too dangerous!”

Section IC: What was the medical stance on women’s participation in sports?

Although some physicians acknowledged the benefits of increased physical activity, they agreed that the negatives outweighed the positives. (LAME.)

Discussion Topic: How do you think these doctors explained how

sports “hurt” women but helped men?

How did Title IX come about?

Who? What? When?Why?

WHO?

Principal author: Patsy T. Mink

House Representative for the state of Hawaii First Asian American and woman of color elected to

Congress Also later became the first Asian American to seek the

Democratic Presidential nomination (1972) The Title IX Act was renamed for her in 2002

Introduced to Congress by: Congressman Tower (for himself, Bartlett, Hruska,

and Laxalt)

WHAT?

What exactly did the Title IX Act do? “No person shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded

from participation in, be denied the benefits of, be treated differently from another person, or otherwise be discriminated against in any interscholastic, intercollegiate, club, or intramural athletics” – Opening Statement Segment

WHAT?

(Very) Basic Outline: Schools must offer the sport for both sexes If teams for both sexes are not provided, the

excluded sex must be allowed to try out for the team offered Selection must be based on skill, not gender! HOWEVER, if it is a contact sport, teams for both

sexes MUST be offered Wrestling, boxing, rugby, ice hockey, football*, basketball,

etc.*Mixed gender teams are allowed, but are VERY rare

WHAT? Outline Continued. . .

Equal Opportunity for both sexes: Selection and levels of competition accommodate each sex

accordingly Equipment and facilities Fair game and practice scheduling Travel and stipend allowances Coaching and academic tutors Medical and training services Athlete housing and dining (collegiate) Publicity

Adjustment Period ASAP but no later than one year from passing date

WHEN?

QUESTION: What should be every female athlete’s favorite

day?

JUNE 23, 1972 (OF COURSE!) THE DAY TITLE IX WAS PASSED! Title IX is the second most influential piece of legislation on

the lives of women! (Right behind women’s suffrage) Athletic equality and fairness was achieved