final- distance learning

When I registered for this women in sport class I was expecting to learn about specific women athletes and their accomplishments in sports, such as Jackie Joyner-Kersey, Billy Jean King and maybe even Jennie Finch. But this class was more focused on learning about the struggles that women have encountered trying to get involved in sports. So I guess I did not exactly learn about what I thought I was going to, but I did learn alot from this course. I was not aware of all the issues that women have to deal with in sports, for example the menstrual cycle and exercise never crossed my mind before this course. I think that learning about these issues was good for me because it opened my eyes to how unequal sports are for men and women. It also made me want to change some of my personal beliefs about sports in general because after taking the class I realized that I was a part of the group that discriminated against women in sports.
With that said, my opinions about Title IX have changed, my view of women athletes has changed and in the end, my overall appreciation for sports has increased. Before this class I thought that Title IX was the reason why we, Long Beach State, dont have a football program anymore because I thought that Title IX meant that for every men's sport we need a women's sport. After learning about Title IX I now understand that it is a good thing because it's main purpose is to have equality in sport between men and women, at every level. Since the passing of Title IX in 1972 the amount of women participating in sports has dramatically increased to today, where almost half of athletes in this country are women. Because of this class I have also gained respect and appreciatin for women athletes because it is very easy to see now that women's sports are their own institutionsd, and they are still growing. I can honestly say that I will now watch more women's sports because I have a better understanding for them.

Ben Ellis KIN 338 T/Th 2:00