I don't think I'd care in the way others seem to worry here. I'd be proud she was committed to the practices and teambuilding and that level of fitness. I'd think it was cool she got to travel. I would be a little worried because my DDs are smaller build and would be the perfect body type to throw up and (hopefully) catch.

But then DH was on the cheerleading team at Stanford and has talked about the discipline and public speaking it built in everyone. He's already taught our girls and DS some of the moves- it's adorable- he throws them up in the air and they keep their bodies stiff and balanced- seriously cute.

DH did get a concussion one time from when one of the girls landed on him so it's no joke. One of his teammates went on to be a 49rs cheerleader for a few years and she had brains and ambition too, going far in her STEM career.

Anonymous wrote:I'd be horrified if my dd decided to become a cheerleader. What a trashy and degrading thing to do.

Talk about over the top.

I'd be fine if my daughter OR my son wanted to be a cheerleader. I'd be surprised and puzzled as hell, but I'd be fine with it.

Sure, I would support her if that was her interest.

No I would not be happy with it but if she really wanted to I would just have to deal.

OP and few other posters are most likely the same person who posted about "teen walk of shame." Is there a way to ban these sexist double standard posters? Aren't male football players in high school just male sluts? So sick of it. There are countries where this misogyny is ok, move there OP.

No, I think it sends "HIT" (hookers-in-training) msg.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was a high school cheerleader.

Our coach was no nonsense, didn't allow heavy makeup, and no sexy moves.

We focused on gymnastics, form, deep cheering voices (no high-pitched squealing) and physical fitness.

We were not to mingle with players.

She was pretty strict and I loved it.

I don't understand why deep cheering voices are more no-nonsense than high-pitched cheering voices. Well, besides sexism.

Deep cheering voices carry further and are easier to hear over the din of a crowd. Nothing sexist about it.

Op is a troll.

I'd be fine with it. I was a cheerleader and am currently a successful engineer. What's the problem?

Anonymous wrote:I was a high school cheerleader.

Our coach was no nonsense, didn't allow heavy makeup, and no sexy moves.

We focused on gymnastics, form, deep cheering voices (no high-pitched squealing) and physical fitness.

We were not to mingle with players.

She was pretty strict and I loved it.

I don't understand why deep cheering voices are more no-nonsense than high-pitched cheering voices. Well, besides sexism.

Anonymous wrote:Did you know the Dubya Bush was a cheerleader and he went on to become the president of the United States of America.

So you're saying no, we should not support our kids cheerleading.

I don't think I'd want her to become a professional cheerleader. They don't make very much money, and my guy friends ogle them in a way I'm not sure I'd like if the girl were my daughter. The uniforms are awfully small and there is a lot of pressure to be very physically perfect, which I think could be eating disorder territory.

I don't have an issue with her being a cheerleader in high school or college. I'd rather her continue to be an athlete playing her own sport rather than cheering on others, but it's not an issue I care that much about.

(To be fair, my mother was a cheerleader, as was my sister and all of my female cousins, so I grew up with it just being the norm.)

I was a cheeerleader in high school and college. It was really fun. I also ran track and cross-country in high school and college, and all of the other girls on my high school squad and many of them in college played another sport or two.
I am uncomfortable with the skimpy uniforms & makeup some of the squads seem to wear now, especially for really young girls, so I would have a problem with DD being on one of those squads.
The activity itself is fine, although I confess, I have had the discussion with some of my old high school friends about the sexist elements of it. As a PP mentioned, though, we did think of the games as practice for the competitions, which was the real focus. Overall, I would say it was a confidence-building, enjoyable athletic endeavor.
I am now an educated, successful feminist working mom. If you think I'm trash, that's your problem.

I was never a cheerleader, but would definitely allow my DD to become one. It's a team sport where you learn to work together, rely upon each other, follow instructions, etc. My sense is that people who are really into cheering are into the performance aspect of it and don't look at themselves as cheering for the real athletes. A good squad will command all attention and are a show in and of themselves. You need to spend some more time at real sporting events!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:no. it's silly and not a real lifelong sport like swimming, tennis or soccer.

Very few people are still playing soccer on anything resembling a regular basis by the time they are in their 40s.

Disagree. My DH and one of best female friends both play on adult leagues. My therapist swims on a master's team. I know TONS of ladies who play in social tennis leagues. I do not know any adult cheerleaders.

That's a HANDFUL of people. And there are adult cheerleaders in the NFL, NBA, NHL, etc. There are also people that like to dance and do gymnastics. some of those cheerleading skills transfer over.

There are adult soccer, tennis, swim opportunities, sure, and not as many for cheerleaders. But not everything you do has to have a life-long component to it. I have very few of the same hobbies that I had as a teenager.