Son wants to try out for cheerleading.

[Anonymous]

I don't see this as a big deal, but my husband has completely different attitude. He told my son that cheerleading is for girls and that he refuses to let him tryout as he doesn't want people thinking his son is gay and has now discouraged him from wanting to tryout. How can I talk my son into following his dream?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't see this as a big deal, but my husband has completely different attitude. He told my son that cheerleading is for girls and that he refuses to let him tryout as he doesn't want people thinking his son is gay and has now discouraged him from wanting to tryout. How can I talk my son into following his dream?

Seems like most public HS in the area now have two male cheerleaders who literally do most of the the heavy lifting for the squad. Some play other sports. Your husband should lighten up about this. No one would think your son is gay for being a cheerleader these days, but they might think your husband was either closeted or homophobic for making a big deal about it.

[Anonymous]

So sad for your son that his dad would ridicule his harmless idea (to try out for cheer).

[Anonymous]

Maybe DS should have said he wanted to the the "spotter" for the cheer squad.

[Anonymous]

G W Bush was a cheerleader. Don't think he is gay or anyone thinks he is gay. Thinking your son is smart, gets to hang out with the girls and maybe this will help him get into a better college.

[Anonymous]

Have him watch the beginning of Dodgeball...

[Anonymous]

I dated a male cheerleader in college. He was so hot (i'm female).

[Anonymous]

I dated a dude in college that was a cheerleader. Strong as all get out, S E X Y to the MAX !!!! It is no way thinga sissy. They work out and are super fit to hold those girls. Scholarships can get you a sweet 4 year FREE ride. Think about that.

[Anonymous]

There is a couple boys on my childs Recreational league middle school cheer squad. They joined because they are friends and have crushes on two of the girls on the squad. It's an easy excuse to spend more time hanging around them. Your DH might want to consider if your son's desire to take up cheerleading might have more to do with an easy excuse for him to hang out with girls more so than any actual interest in the sport

[Anonymous]

You and your son have to learn how to stand up to your DH. Your son in particular has to learn how to advocate for his own choices. This will only get worse over time. Your DH needs to understand that his children will not be carbon copies of him. We have a similar situation in our house, and over time dad has come to understand better and be okay with things he wouldn't have been twenty years ago. We didn't scream and fight, just talked it over and over.

[Anonymous]

It's true that many male cheerleaders are straight but to me, it's more the bullying attitude of your DH that is concerning. What if your DS is gay? How would your DH treat him?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's true that many male cheerleaders are straight but to me, it's more the bullying attitude of your DH that is concerning. What if your DS is gay? How would your DH treat him?

+1000

Kids of men like this commit suicide. I also can't figure out how guys like this survive at work. Most large offices have policies about hate speech to avoid lawsuits.

[Anonymous]

George W Bush was a cheerleader.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's true that many male cheerleaders are straight but to me, it's more the bullying attitude of your DH that is concerning. What if your DS is gay? How would your DH treat him?

+1000

Kids of men like this commit suicide. I also can't figure out how guys like this survive at work. Most large offices have policies about hate speech to avoid lawsuits.

I agree.

I also don't see the stereotype that your DH perpetuates about male cheerleaders. At most schools those men are very fit and coordinated. Those aren't bad skills/attributes to have. Also, I've never heard of a cheerleading scholarship, but many D1 schools have all sorts of athlete services. If he excels at cheerleading, it could help your son tremendously in the future. I mean sure it's unorthodox but it's not like he came to you and announced a plan to take up meth as a hobby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's true that many male cheerleaders are straight but to me, it's more the bullying attitude of your DH that is concerning. What if your DS is gay? How would your DH treat him?

+1000

Kids of men like this commit suicide. I also can't figure out how guys like this survive at work. Most large offices have policies about hate speech to avoid lawsuits.

They are the office bullies, subtly spreading gossip and hate.