How do you feel about traditional cheerleading?
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Anonymous
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Not the competitive, gymnastics kind, I know that is different. But the kind where the cheerleaders literally cheer at football games?
My DD is going into 4th grade. We've had a hard time finding her a physical activity she wants to do. She's tried a bunch of things and given them up because she wasn't interested (soccer, tennis, lacrosse, swimming, dance, etc.). Dance lasted the longest but she gave it up this year when it started to get very serious with pointe classes and such. This summer she joined a cheerleading team. I'm not crazy about it tbh. But a couple of her friends were doing it and since she refuses to do day camp, I thought it would be nice for her to have something to do. They meet every day and she is very enthusiastic about it. She comes home saying she loved it each time. The thing is, it is the traditional kind of cheerleading. Although they will do competitions as well, the point is mostly to cheer on the boys at the football games. They were getting fitted for their outfits yesterday and I realized I would be embarrassed to post a photo of her in it on my FB. It's so unfeminist. What do you think? |
Anonymous
| DD refuses to cheer for boys playing a sport. I doubt I would let her even if she wanted to, there is something not right about 10 year old girls cheering for 10 year old boy playing instead of playing themselves |
Anonymous
| I had similar reservations and a similar situation with my DD She did that type of cheer for a few years and loved it and then grew tired of it. |
Anonymous
| It's not very athletic, which would be my concern. |
Anonymous
| Ohhhh I feel the same way about cheerleading. I wouldn't actively discourage it since she enjoys it, although I would be hoping she grew out of it fast! |
Anonymous
FWIW--my DD was never even aware she was cheering for boys. That concept (thankfully) completely eluded her. |
Anonymous
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No. It's unfortunately steeped in misogyny, rigid gender roles and some costume choices are obviously not appropriate. I know things are changing, boys are included as cheerleaders, kids can choose non-revealing costumes, but... that's in progressive schools. The general image of cheerleading hasn't changed much at all. |
Anonymous
+1. Very lame and a waste of time and money. I would redirect her to dance or gymnastics proper, at least. |
Anonymous
| I'd be fine with it IF they were also cheering for girls who were playing sports. |
Anonymous
for us it's entirely associated with football. There is something gross about having 5th grade girls on the sideline cheering for 5th grade boys |
Anonymous
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I think it's fine. If there's a competitive aspect, it will be more athletic than you probably realize.
And have you considered looking at a more laid back dance studio? It sounds like she enjoys dance but didn't want it to be too serious. There are some really good more laid back dance studios that it might be worth checking out. |
Anonymous
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She’ll probably grow out of it. I wouldn’t worry about it at that age.
She’s having fun now because what girl doesn’t want to get together with a bunch of her friends and make up dance routines? The games will bore her though. |
Anonymous
| I would not encourage it, but if she is moving, and having fun with friends, I would let it go. Hopefully she will drop it quickly, and move on to something else. |
Anonymous
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My daughter did it. It wasn't my favorite choice but she wasn't interested in any other sports. It kept her active and she got a great group of long lasting female friends. A lot of the other cheer moms had the same experience.
The only issue is that if she does competitive cheer there is a greater risk of injury because they do some dangerous stunting. |
Anonymous
I'll add that she is a young adult now and very much a feminist who doesn't regret it at all. |