A Girl's Place Is in the Gym

I play many sports. My favorite is volleyball. Coincidentally,I just finished a successful history project about Title IX, which ispart of the 1972 Educational Amendment to the Civil Rights Act of1964. Title IX assures girls the same opportunities in sports thatboys have.

At the beginning of my project, I had only a vague idea of whatTitle IX was about. I didn't really understand the true meaning andits effect on me.

I learned quickly. When I told my social studies teacher (amale) what my project was, he just gave me a blank stare as if to say"Title what?" I was surprised to receive the same response from thegirls at my school and club volleyball teams.In her April 4 Personal View, Barbara Butcher put this subjectin a different perspective. After I read the article, I talked to mymom about the opportunities she had as young girl.I found out that she too never had a chance to play any sportsexcept those she learned while her father was teaching her brother toplay. Even if she had wanted to play, the opportunity wasn't there.I believe sports competition helped me develop a mental andphysical awareness that I would not have been able to achieve at myage otherwise.During sports competition, I am challenged to think critically,make decisions and execute physical skills.I now do these same things in everyday life. This give me moreself-confidence and also helps me work successfully with differentpeople in varied situations.A few weeks ago I was competing at a volleyball tournament whenI noticed that some boys had come into the gym to watch. I laughedwhen I saw this. It used to be that girls would come and cheer forthe boys. These boys came and really cheered for us girls.So now, this female athlete would like to give three cheers forthose women who came before us and unfortunately never had theopportunity to play sports.Three cheers also for those women who cried out that theopportunity to compete in sports was not equal with men, but was muchneeded.Finally, three cheers for those women who fought to create theopportunities that Title IX allows.Although I enjoy the immediate benefits of Title IX,opportunities for women in sports still aren't equal to the men'sprograms. However, I believe we are getting close.Carlee Bator is 13 years old and in the eighth grade at MarkSheridan Math and Science Academy.