Discusses gender-equal education legislation in America and the trend to remove stereotyping from educational facilities.
Despite existing legislation that educational policies, program and practices in the United States should be designed to be free from discrimination, gender bias still exists through sex stereotyping and sex bias that remains in schools, which result in undue negative influence on students. This paper shows that, since the passage of Title IX in 1972, attitudes and assumptions toward behavior have changed dramatically, and a greater understanding of sexual stereotypes and their influence on performance have been realized. Educational facilities now realize the importance of encouraging positive attitudes and abilities in female students. The paper shows that statistics and studies have revealed that women are now pursuing fields formerly dominated by males, including careers related to math and science. This is a result of increased efforts by schools to encourage women to excel in these areas. The paper analyzes these statistics and their effects on students.
“A comparison of educational statistics pre and post Title IX reveal that women have narrowed the gender gap significantly. For example in 1971 18% of women successfully acquired a college degree, whereas 26% of men had (Riley, 1997). However in recent years American women now make up the majority of students receiving advanced degrees and the United States is the world leader recognized for providing women with educational opportunities (Riley, 1997). Women in some instances have acquired more degrees in certain fields than men, further supporting the idea that increased expectations and opportunities result in progress. Progress is not contingent on sex, but rather on the opportunities afforded people regardless of their sex.”