Getting in the Game: Title IX and the Women's Sports Revolution(51 Critical America)

In this first legal analysis of Title IX, Deborah L. Brake assesses the statute’s successes and failures, using a feminist theory lens to understand, defend, and critique the law. While the statute has created tremendous gains for female athletes, not only raising the visibility and cultural acceptance of women in sports, but also creating social bonds for women, positive body images, and leadership roles, the disparities in funding between men’s and women’s sports have remained remarkably resilient. At the same time, female athletes continue to receive less prestige and support than their male counterparts, which in turn filters into the arena of professional sports. Brake provides a richer understanding and appreciation of what Title IX has accomplished, while taking a critical look at the places where the law has fallen short. A unique contribution to the literature on Title IX, Getting in the Game fully explores the theory, policy choices, and successes and limitations of this historic law.

About the Author :
Deborah L. Brake is Professor of Law and distinguished faculty scholar at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Review :
"Brake provides an adept, comprehensive analysis of the legislation, the disagreements generated by its enactment and enforcement, and its related litigation. Her critical commentary also offers an equitable perspective on the relative strengths and weaknesses of the legal and policy environment that surrounds title IX." (Choice Magazine) "In this text, Brake provides a detailed discussion of Title IX's legal requirements, describes the various feminist theories that underlie its provisions, and suggests concrete ideas for adjusting the law to better achieve its goal of gender equality . . . Well-written and well-supported, Getting in the Game offers a unique analysis of Title IX and athletics." - Emily Lawson (Law Library Journal) "Getting in the Game is must reading for those seeking to understand both the monumental success of Title IX and the dilemmas and barriers that impeded achievement of its full promise. There is no better treatment of the subject of womens sportswhy it matters, what Title IX now requires, and how the law might be improved. This book will change the way we think about equality in womens sports, and help us to think more rigorously and creatively about how to achieve it." - Katharine T. Bartlett,Duke University School of Law "Getting in the Game offers clearheaded demystification of the debates over gender equity in the U.S. school and college sports. Without falling into the role of uncritical cheerleader, Deborah Brake shows how the successes of Title IX result from its pragmatic knitting-together of various strands of feminist legal theory. The result is a body of law sturdy enough to press effectively for equal opportunity, but flexible enough to allow for the nuances of difference. Whether ones concern is with inferior sport facilities for high school girls, cutbacks to certain college mens sports, or women athletes and pregnancy, Getting in the Game is a must-read." - Michael A. Messner,author of It's All for the Kids: Gender, Families, and Youth Sports "Getting in the Game provides a masterful overview of what it would take to really level the playing field for women in sports. This book is indispensable reading for anyone who cares about gender equity in athletics." - Deborah L. Rhode,author of Speaking of Sex: The Denial of Gender Inequality "An interesting, exciting project that offers fresh perspectives on an area of the law that is generally misunderstood . . . fascinating and well done." - Ann C. McGinley,William S. Boyd Professor of Law, University of Nevada Las Vegas