A dissertation completed at
The Center for Education, Widener University,
One University Place, Chester, PA 19013 		 
A TITLE IX CONUNDRUM: MORE GIRLS ARE PLAYING SPORTS; BUT WHY AREN'T WOMEN COACHING THEM?
William James Doyle, Ed. D.
December 2000

RETURN
edited 01/20/01

 


ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the decline in the number of women coaches at the secondary school level (Hasbrook, 1988; Heishman, Bunker & Tutwiler, 1990; Schafer, 1987; True, 1983, 1986; Wilkinson & Schneider, 1991) in relationship to the increased participation of females in high school athletic programs (National Federation Handbook, 1997) since the passage of Title IX of the Educational Amendment Act of 1972. Reviews of historical, sociological, and sports literature reveal that sports in the United States is a male-dominated arena (Albury, Richardson, & Talley, 1985; Knoppers/ 1994; Theberge, 1985) and only recently have females had the opportunity to participate in greater numbers. Federal legislation in the form of Title IX helped to increase female athletic participation rates but its critics believe, at the same time, Title IX and societal stereotypical gender-role beliefs about female coaches and administrators, have contributed to the decrease in the number of females in athletic leadership positions, at both the college and high school levels.

A qualitative interview study involving ten former female head coaches of female athletic teams was conducted iii Recommendations for participants were solicited from high school athletic directors and snowball sampling was used to identify other candidates. A grounded theory approach was employed to analyze research data.

Career choices, a desire to continue their athletic experience, and recruitment were cited as reasons why the participants entered the coaching profession. Relationships formed between players, assistant coaches and peers, the competitive environment and program success were cited as the benefits of coaching. Career or family conflicts, loss of competitive drive, length of seasons, time commitment, attitudes of present day athletes and parents, perceived apathy on the part of school administrators, physical/health problems, additional coaching responsibilities, and a desire to do something different with their time were reported as reasons for getting out of coaching.

Gender equity violations were alleged in a couple of cases, but most participants revealed a number of small inequities that by themselves seem unimportant, but when taken together create what Hall and Sandler (1982) coined as a "chilly" working environment for women. iv I.

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