I think it would be fair use (and I mean that in the technical, copyright law definition) to reproduce the title of the column and the gist of the thesis contained therein. Therefore,
Let the Guys Win One
By JOHN TIERNEY
"Why is it so important to cling to the myth behind Title IX: that women need sports as much as men do?..."
Oh dear, where to begin?! Well, I'll ration myself to one point based on the one sentence reproduced above. Please note the rhetorical slight of hand he uses to put forward an incredibly questionable proposition. Mr. Tierney does not say straight up "women do not need sport as much as men do," and then spend the rest of the column trying to back up that statement. NOOOOO...he has to go one step beyond and assert at the outset that it is in fact a myth (and presumably all "right thinking" people already acknowledge this). Please ladies, trash this notion he is offering that somehow you folks don't "need sports" as much as men do. I'll leave that one to your tender mercies. I'll confine myself to observing that this so-called smart guy is beginning his erudite observations with the assertion that those who disagree with his thesis are not merely mistaken, but they are also stupidly "cling to the myth..." I'm not sure I'm missing very much because I don't have the subscription necessary to read the rest of the article.
I have to say that I don't think that Matt's characterization of the article is accurate . . .
Here's the opening:
Suppose you’re the head of a school whose students belong to two ethnic groups, the Alphas and the Betas. The Alphas get better grades and are more likely to graduate. They dominate the school newspaper and yearbook, the band and the choir, the debate team and the drama club — virtually all extracurricular activities except for sports.
How much time would you spend worrying about the shortage of Alpha jocks?
Not much — unless, of course, the Alphas were women, the Betas were men, and you were being sued for not complying with Title IX. Then you would be desperately trying to end this outrageous discrimination.
He continues to discuss the fact that the numbers of women enrolling in college outpaces men as does women's academic performance in college.
Later there is discussion about the disparate demand for sports between men and women. He does not say women don't want sport or that it is not important . . . rather, then generally the demand by women is not as great.
There is discussion of how to determine the appropriate measure of compliance with Title IX.
I've been a huge proponent of Title IX. I also believe, however, that there is a place for legitimate debate as to how it should be applied. I also think that people should be open to considering how long remdial programs remain necessary to overcome past inequities.
Just saying that there is room for thoughtful debate.
When we hear about programs being cut due to Title IX, it might be interesting to know if they meant:
(a) No programs would have been cut, except they had to comply with Title IX, or
(b) They were planning on cutting programs anyways, but Title IX limits which ones they could axe.
I suspect that we are really talking about situation (b), in which case bringing up Title IX is a red herring.
At the U of I, Men's swimming was cut, and women's softball and soccer were added to comply with title 9. Now there are rumors afloat that Gunther wants to add another woman's sport, and if he does, he wants to bring back men's swimming. Just rumors thought, so who knows.
Mark, I emphatically think Title IX is a sham excuse to allow Athletic Directors to duck responsibility for unpopular decisions, and we advocates of men's "minor" sports who attack Title IX have fallen for it.
Dorthy, I don't want to spread unfounded rumors, but my understanding is that there was a personality conflict between the Illinois AD and the Men's Swim Coach. Now it's darn hard to revive a men's team after it's been cut, but if the interpersonal dynamics are different, U of I could avoid that baggage. Maybe possible?
Since neither the men's swim coach that was there at the time, nor the AD that was there at the time are at the school anymore, who knows. There is interest, whether it could ever become a reality, who knows. It would certainly help women's swimming as well, as the recruiting is easier when a school has both men's and women's. Right now some things are dreams, but there are some hard working people trying to make some good things happen down here.
Originally posted by Sabretooth Tiger
I have to say that I don't think that Matt's characterization of the article is accurate . . .
Here's the opening:
Suppose you’re the head of a school whose students belong to two ethnic groups, the Alphas and the Betas. The Alphas get better grades and are more likely to graduate. They dominate the school newspaper and yearbook, the band and the choir, the debate team and the drama club — virtually all extracurricular activities except for sports.
How much time would you spend worrying about the shortage of Alpha jocks?
Not much — unless, of course, the Alphas were women, the Betas were men, and you were being sued for not complying with Title IX. Then you would be desperately trying to end this outrageous discrimination.
He continues to discuss the fact that the numbers of women enrolling in college outpaces men as does women's academic performance in college.
Later there is discussion about the disparate demand for sports between men and women. He does not say women don't want sport or that it is not important . . . rather, then generally the demand by women is not as great.
There is discussion of how to determine the appropriate measure of compliance with Title IX.
I've been a huge proponent of Title IX. I also believe, however, that there is a place for legitimate debate as to how it should be applied. I also think that people should be open to considering how long remdial programs remain necessary to overcome past inequities.
Just saying that there is room for thoughtful debate.
I went to a high school very much like the one you example. However, the jocks were also the "Alphas." The "Betas" had lower graduation rates. It basically was the kids who had parents who didn't work in the factories and the kids who had parents that did. The second group were not to suppose to go to college, become successfull, nor participate in any ssports except football, basketball, and track. This was especially true if those students were black. It was a horrible situation that produced horrible results. Not until many of the oldline teachers started to retire did any changes come about. What was so terrible was that no one thought this was wrong!
Although I believe it is rather odd that schools in the swouthwest have rowing teams, I think there must be a way for women to participate in college atheletics that truly speaks to their needs. I went to a very small college. It has been known for its women's softball teams for a very long time. It has a terrible pool. there are usually 10 women swimmers and about 2-4 men. Plus we have water polo htat is coed and female.
