Re: Elections 2012:What unites us is greater than what divides us
Frankly the whole 'bullying is the new sensitivity' issue is normal, consistent and IMO a positive.
Its a big issue...is it over the top? Maybe some.
But just as with civil rights, womens lib, child abuse, diversity in college entrance, etc...it pushes society hard which is required to move it. And after the topic fades from being hot, society will find a new more accomidating norm on the issue.
Its good and its how progress works. An example. Title IX gets a bad rap here sometimes because some blame it for limits to D1 hockey (which I disagree with). But here's a pretty good article on what the concept of Title IX has meant for society:
40 years later, the larger meaning of Title IX
Fox
In the United States Title IX was signed on June 23, 1972 by President Richard Nixon with the intention of prohibiting gender based discrimination by institutions that receive federal money. “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”
Although Title IX is attributed to sports it also mandates equal opportunity in education. It is in education as well as in sports that the results staggering.
In 1972 women received 9% of medical degrees. Today they receive 48% of all medical degrees.
In 1972 7% of women earned law degrees, 19 % received doctoral degrees and women comprised just 30 % of college students. Today women earn 47 percent of law degrees, 50 percent of doctoral degrees and comprise of 57 percent of all college students.
Today, the idea that everyone should have the opportunity to play sports also finds little controversy. Sports build character, teamwork, teaches one to overcome adversity. It is these life lessons that participants carry with them from the playing field.
What is also evident in studies is that participation in team sports can result in improvements to education, work and health prospects. There are other associated benefits for those that participate in sports such as lower teenage pregnancy rates, better grades, lower risk of obesity and higher self-esteem. No one disagrees that these growth opportunities mean girls are more likely to be active than before.
