Recently, the University of Washington offered a girls’ volleyball scholarship to a 16-year-old boy. Swimmer Riley Gaines, perhaps the nation’s top advocate for female athletes, broke the news. In response, UW allegedly rescinded the scholarship offer, claiming that they didn’t know the recipient was male.  

Some parents of girls who play in the same high school league as the boy have said that their daughters didn’t realize they were being forced to compete against a male until matches were underway. Of course, they shouldn’t have to think about it, and parents shouldn’t have to worry about it either.  

It’s the school’s job, along with those tasked with governing school sports, to ensure fair competition and reasonable safety, and to protect the privacy of minors in spaces like locker rooms. But since many aren’t doing that job, like Ohio’s governor, parents have to be vigilant, ask the hard and awkward questions, and make the tough decisions.  

After all, it’s only the new normal if everyone goes along.