In 1972, Congress enacted Title IX, the statute barring sex discrimination in education, including college and high school athletics. Since that time, girls' and women's participation, scholarships, and percent share of athletics budgets have grown substantially. Women's participation in college varsity athletics has gone from 2 percent in 1972 to 36 percent today, demonstrating that, given the opportunity, young women enjoy and excel at athletics. Men's teams receive five times more money to recruit new members than women's teams.
Women receive only one-third of athletic scholarship dollars.
Women's sports receive only 23 percent of athletic operating budgets. Organized sports offer personal contacts with adult role models who can provide guidance and support, which are beneficial at both secondary and post secondary levels. Athletics contribute to positive body image and good health. Girls who participate in sports are less likely to take drugs or to become pregnant. Among athletic scholarship recipients, both black and white female athletes have higher graduation rates than non-athlete female students.