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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I was a cheerleader. I'm a feminist. And it isn't an all or nothing when it comes to competitions vs. sidelines cheer. Even Peewee (that's what we're talking about, right?) cheer squads compete, at least in the Northeast. In my case, we cheered on the sidelines (it was required), but we also competed. We stunted/tumbled at games in-between the cheering.[/quote]

Rural Texas about 5 years ago:

Peewee girls (k-6th) all cheered together sidelines when the teams were playing in the same location, but they split into k-2/3-4/5-6 when the teams played in different locations.  They practiced together 3 times per week. 
 The competitive squad was made up of roughly 40% of the girls (k-6th, no split), no tryouts required.  The competitive squad had 2 extra practices per week and 3 competitions, I think.  Although they only cheered for football (the only other organized social activities at that age in that town were Sunday/bible/Wednesday night church group and scouts; boys and girls both did cub scouts).  There were two girls who played football, and all of the girls were excited to cheer because cheerleading is huge in Texas, not because they buy in to gender roles.

For what it's worth, I believe both girls' parents chose to allow them to play only for flag (k-2) and wouldn't allow full tackle, but I have no idea whether other girls have joined since.  That town is somewhat liberal about gender roles, although I was not impressed with other conservative values (views on gay and transgender rights, racism, etc.) they were fine on gender roles.[/quote]

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