The Trouble with Title IX

Irving on Title IX

Brenda Porter, June 26, 2007

John Irving begins his essay about the federal law Title IX with a great title, “Wrestling with Title IX.” What makes it so interesting is the fact that Irving is a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the essay focuses on facts surrounding the decline of programs for wrestling at the college level due to the enforcement of Title IX. The title itself also primes the tone that there is controversy surrounding the issue, and controversy is always a great motivator to keep me interested.

The basis Irving is making here is that Title IX is confusing due to two different rulings of Title IX, and the interpretation and enforcement of the current Title IX is producing nothing but biased gender quotas. This thesis is given in the second paragraph giving direction to the rest of the essay. It is clear what side of the issue Irving is on.

The purpose is to persuade the audience to side with Irving on the issue that Title IX is failing in its purpose to equalize gender in college sports. College sports and gender equality are both relevant issue in today’s society and compel further investigation. This gives validity to Irving’s topic.

In the following paragraphs facts including information about the 1979 law and the revised 1996 amendment to it give a foundation so that an informed conclusion can be reached. Irving provides empirical data about gender quota formulations used for determining percentages of allowed sports categories and participation in them. By doing this he is able to show the prejudice in the math reiterating the fact that the way the law is written and enforced is unfair towards males.

The tone of Irving’s argument is passionate enough to be intriguing, and his dissatisfaction with current legislation and the feminist attitude surrounding it incite agreement. He is definitely drawing lines over what is fair and unfair with this law.

The determination I come to, Irving is valid in his views. I agree with what he says concerning the misuse and misinterpretation of Title IX. The way the information is presented as well as the way it is presented, add not only conviction but also substance to Irving’s side of the issue.