In 1976, NOW sent out a newsletter revealing their progress. The newsletter discussed how women could be barred from little league sports in 1966 and how thanks to the efforts of NOW this was no longer a possibility in 1976. This change was due to the creation of Title IX in 1972. Title IX was a great step forward but was and still is flawed. One major problem with Title IX is that its language dictates that schools must provide equivalent programs for males and females, not equal programs.
One clear case of this issue is that women have softball while men have baseball. There is nothing wrong with softball, but there is also no reason women should be denied the ability to play baseball. In fact, back in 1886 women did play baseball and men actually created softball in 1887. Over the years, softball became coed and then exclusively for women while baseball became exclusively for males.
Somehow over the years, it has become a common thought that woman are somehow incapable of playing baseball. Women for some reason cannot hit a smaller ball or run around a larger field, but there are no facts to support this claim. As I said earlier, there is nothing wrong with softball. However, if a woman wants to be able to play baseball it should be an option, even if she wants to play on a men’s team.
I know that some people may think that biological difference make it impossible for women to be on the same playing field as men. However, there is a good chance that there is a woman out their just as talented and capable as a man. The best player should be allowed to play, no matter their sex, because after all how will we ever now for sure if women are as capable if they are not given the chance?
It is time for women to gain true equality in all aspects of life once and for all. Title IX was a great step but more needs to be done. We need more women like the two female high schoolers playing football in Beavercreek and Hillary Clinton and Jill Stein who are running for President. They are standing up for themselves and their fellow woman by proving that a woman is just as good as a man. It is also time for the world to take notice of these efforts and give everyone the same opportunity regardless of their sex or any other identity, in order for our society to create true equality.
Posted by Holly Sefton at 6:22 PM
Sunday, October 23, 2016