In a recent call with reporters, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona touted the Biden administration’s updated Title IX rule, claiming it ensures safe and welcoming schools for everyone. However, conservative critics argue that these regulations do the opposite, creating a perilous environment for girls and young women while encroaching on parental rights.
Title IX, originally designed to prevent sex-based discrimination in federally funded educational programs, has been expanded by the Biden administration to include gender identity, sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and sex characteristics. This broad interpretation has sparked controversy as it blurs the distinction between biological sex and gender identity, a concept not universally accepted by Americans.
One major concern is the impact on free speech. Under the new rule, using biologically accurate pronouns could be classified as “sex-based harassment,” subjecting students and teachers to federal investigation and discipline. This move is seen as a restriction on protected speech and an infringement on academic freedom.
Moreover, the rule undermines parental authority by promoting policies that hide children’s gender confusion from parents. School districts may adopt measures that keep parents in the dark about their children’s decisions regarding identity, pronouns, and accommodations like bathroom usage, locker rooms, and sleeping arrangements on trips.
Critics argue that these policies go against fundamental parental rights, as enshrined in federal laws like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA). By prioritizing Title IX requirements over parental involvement, the Biden administration is accused of eroding the role of parents in their children’s education and well-being.
The new Title IX regulations also grant significant power to school officials, particularly Title IX coordinators, who are tasked with investigating and enforcing compliance with gender identity policies. This centralized authority raises concerns about administrative overreach and the imposition of radical gender ideology in educational settings.
Ultimately, conservatives argue that parents have a fundamental right to direct the upbringing, care, and education of their children. They view the Biden administration’s Title IX rule as an overreach that disregards parental authority, stifles free speech, and prioritizes ideological agendas over educational integrity and parental rights.
