www.azcentral.com/.../20101111deer-valley-unified-school-district-title-IX-investigation.html
Why do we continue to point to lower participating numbers of women in sports to justify the assertion that society is persecuting women? I was a part of a state high school championship team in Colorado and we never cut anybody. My daughters' teams in this very school (Deer Valley) district were regional champions 11 years running. Nobody on their teams got cut. I would assert that the opportunities are there even with the good teams/schools. Is it possible that overall less women are interested in sports? Badminton would put us in compliance??? Swell.
And for what it's worth, I think Hogshead got touched out in the 84 Olympics.
Fort, it's been awhile, please educate me again.:)
Kurt -- I agree with your hypothesis that, on average, girls are less interested in sports than boys and that can probably explain a large part of the gap between enrollment percentages and participation percentages. As someone who has done and seen loads of market research, I would suggest that the group laying forth these charges first embark on a robust study to understand the attitudes and barriers (perceived and actual) of both boys and girls towards participation in HS sports. If there were data to show that lack of opportunity contributed to 90% of the participation gap, their claim would be stronger. If lack of desire to participate accounted for 90% of the gap, they could then turn their attention to developing programs and outreach to help girls see the value of participation ... instead of spending their time in the courts.
However, I also agree with Kirk, that one way for the school district to quickly demonstrate they are "doing something" about this would be to add more sports. Again, though, if lack of desire is the overwhelming reason for the participation gap, this will likely have little impact.
For all of us athletically oriented parents, I hope we're sending the same "value of sports participation" messages to our daughters as we are to our sons. I only have daughters so they get the full force of my gung-ho love of sports!
As for college football, as much as I wish some of the exorbitant number of scholarships for that team were diverted to the swim team, I'm acutely aware now (and believe I was when I swam in college) that the football team funded the swim team and other sports. I don't care how many times the Texas men's swim team wins NCAAs, I doubt the team is "profitable" or even cost neutral. Even with the 5-7 season the football team had, they're going to fund the swimmers. I would prefer to see the NFL develop a real farm system, but, until that happens, I'm still going to cheer for football teams to be successful and make money because that can drive swim programs.
Correction: I actually do care how many times the Texas men's and women's swim teams win. Hook 'em Horns. Where's that Bevo icon when I need it?
Kurt -- I agree with your hypothesis that, on average, girls are less interested in sports than boys and that can probably explain a large part of the gap between enrollment percentages and participation percentages. As someone who has done and seen loads of market research, I would suggest that the group laying forth these charges first embark on a robust study to understand the attitudes and barriers (perceived and actual) of both boys and girls towards participation in HS sports. If there were data to show that lack of opportunity contributed to 90% of the participation gap, their claim would be stronger. If lack of desire to participate accounted for 90% of the gap, they could then turn their attention to developing programs and outreach to help girls see the value of participation ... instead of spending their time in the courts.
However, I also agree with Kirk, that one way for the school district to quickly demonstrate they are "doing something" about this would be to add more sports. Again, though, if lack of desire is the overwhelming reason for the participation gap, this will likely have little impact.
For all of us athletically oriented parents, I hope we're sending the same "value of sports participation" messages to our daughters as we are to our sons. I only have daughters so they get the full force of my gung-ho love of sports!
As for college football, as much as I wish some of the exorbitant number of scholarships for that team were diverted to the swim team, I'm acutely aware now (and believe I was when I swam in college) that the football team funded the swim team and other sports. I don't care how many times the Texas men's swim team wins NCAAs, I doubt the team is "profitable" or even cost neutral. Even with the 5-7 season the football team had, they're going to fund the swimmers. I would prefer to see the NFL develop a real farm system, but, until that happens, I'm still going to cheer for football teams to be successful and make money because that can drive swim programs.
Correction: I actually do care how many times the Texas men's and women's swim teams win. Hook 'em Horns. Where's that Bevo icon when I need it?
