Title IX was passed in 1972 and according to the Women's Sports Foundation, as of 2011, women make up 38 to 42 percent of all participants in sports and physical activities. Yet research shows that women receive only 6 to 8 percent of total sports coverage. A double standard is defined as a set of principles that grant greater freedom to one person or group than to another. (dictionary.com) In athletics, women are judged more on their appearance and non-sport activities than their male counterparts who are judged primarily on their skills and performance. Female athletes are scrutinized in the media based on their appearance rather than their skills and athletic performance. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in athletic activities.” , be denied benefits or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. (“Title IX and Sex Discrimination”) Title IX protects individuals from discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. This has had a significant impact on women's sport at all levels. “Such programs and activities may include, but are not limited to: admissions, recruitment, financial aid, academic programs, student treatment and services, counseling and guidance, discipline, assignment classroom, grading, vocational education, recreation, physical education, athletics, housing and employment. (“Title IX and Sex Discrimination”) If a person wishes to file a complaint of alleged discrimination, they must contact the Office for Civil Rights within 180 days of the incident. A disparity is defined as a...... Middle of paper ... the sport of tennis, basketball, football and martial arts – originated in the era of cheerleading and synchronized swimming when it was growing up in the 70s." The disparities in media coverage and the oversexualization of female athletes on magazine covers must end because of their effects on male and female viewers, young and old, athletes and non-athletes. Women's and men's athletics influence young people and shape their personalities and morals as they grow up. Retired WNBA player, Lisa Leslie credits her participation in basketball with shaping her character as well as her career. “Sport can also help adolescents during a difficult period of their development. » (“Women’s athletics: a battle for respect”). The solution is to come together as a society and figure out how to balance respect for female and male athletes in the media..