How has Title IX changed university life and college athletics in the United States? Well, as stated earlier, legislation was passed with the purpose of ending sexual discrimination, whether it is academically or athletically. Title IX clearly states, "No person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex be excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal aid." So, the 1972 bill gave women the boost needed to help them succeed both in the classroom and on the field. The legislation sounds to be completely ethical and just, but the problem lies in the fact that in recent years men have been subjected to "reverse discrimination" because of the strong enforcement of Title IX.
             The academic effects of Title IX on women have been immense. Since its passage, women have been given more opportunity to gain both college and professional degrees and have run with it. For instance, in a 1994 study women attained 38% of medical degrees. A dramatic increase from the mere 9% earned in 1972. The same study, proved that women earned 43% of law degrees, compared with 7% in 1972. As the First Circuit Court of Appeals noted in a recent Title IX case, "interest and ability rarely develop in a vacuum; they evolve as a function of opportunity and experience." Decision-making in schools that relies on gender to assess what students and employees know and are able to do is both archaic and ineffective. By giving women the same scholastic opportunities as males, they have been able to attain success.
             The many gains that have been made in giving women new opportunities to advance their education have had and continue to have a direct impact in opening up the professions and giving women the opportunity to seek employment in nontraditional fields. In 1993-94 women made up 58 percent of postsecondary vocational education students. Wom...