Few people dispute the necessity of equality in athletic opportunities for students. With this year marking the 40th anniversary of Title IX's passage, there is a lot to be celebrated for the progress our educational system has made in promoting athletic opportunities for female students. However, a recent decision from the New York City Department of Education regarding sex discrimination in school athletics has sparked a dispute.

In response to a federal investigation, the New York Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) has focused almost entirely on forming new sports teams for girls. That move has left little room for new opportunities for male students attending newly opened high schools. Rather than forming teams for both girls and boys at new schools, PSAL has almost exclusively formed teams for female athletes.

No one is arguing against the necessity for girls' sports teams in high schools, but critics of PSAL's efforts don't understand why boys attending new schools aren't afforded the same opportunity as their female peers. Because new schools have virtually no boys' teams, those students are without an opportunity to hone their athletic talents. Critics also raise the point that new schools played no role in long-standing gender discrimination issues, so they shouldn't be targeted by education officials' efforts.

The intent of Title IX is to provide equal athletic opportunities to students, no matter their sex. What seems to be going on in New York is an overreaction that disenfranchises a great number of students. As a society, we should always be striving to provide equal and fair opportunities for all people.

No one deserves to be discriminated against based on their sex. When someone feels as though an institution has treated them unfairly, because they are a woman or man, they might have a legal claim to fight for their rights. Doing so will push institutions to adjust their practices so that everyone is treated fairly.

Source: Wall Street Journal, "Boys Being Sidelined," Sumathi Reddy, Feb. 17, 2012