Is cheerleading a legitimate sport or not? I think it deserves genuine support

you learn something new everyday as the saying goes

It’s not a personal choice.

The amount of make up is a personal choice, the big bows is because from where the judges watch it’s all at a distance. So it’s for the same reason that theatre make up is OTT.

Again you don’t get points for this, interesting the Scandinavian clubs often have zero make up and hair in French braids no bows.

I think it is changing which is for the better.

One can both admire the athletic feats, teamwork and enjoy watching it AND dislike the sexism. With gymnastics and cheer (both kinds).

As with most ballet and body size.

Assume you mean me, bit harsh maybe.
As you know if you are involved it’s a massively, massively female heavy activity with young girls and women wearing bows and often heavy make-up (this is easy to ascertain online). God forbid any sneery supposed feminists should even try to discuss what it teaches young girls today about roles and expectations. As I have clearly said I wouldn’t dream of questioning anyone’s choices in ‘real life’ but think it should be possible to debate online.

You know there are cheer competitions right? It’s not just about standing in the sidelines with Pom poms.

Just because you have that perception doesn’t mean everyone else does. I don’t think my 7 year old even knows who the Dallas cowboys are, but she loves dancing and gymnastics so cheerleading is a fantastic hobby for her. Her team are learning strength, conditioning, timing, teamwork - surely they shouldn’t be discouraged by people who don’t know what competitive cheer actually is ?

Maybe the perception can be changed? If a large majority of people believe that cheer is only for young glamorous women cheering men’s sports teams on, then surely it would be a good thing to show more peoplethat actually it’s powerful young women and also men with amazing skills and strength.

Admittedly before DD began, I had no idea really what it was, I only planned for her to be in the recreational team for fun but she was put in the competitive side due to her gymnastics training. I’m really happy she made the switch though, she’s made a lovely set of friends whose main goal each week is to trust and support each other. Their strengths are mostly different but they boost each other and the teamwork is fantastic.

We may be lucky with her club but the safeguarding is great and the coaches have the kids in mind at all times. I’m sure there are some less caring clubs and I can’t speak on what the older age teams elsewhere are like as she’s still under 12, but my experience as a fairly protective mum has only been positive.

Luckily all the athletes, coaches and spectators I’ve come across at competitions are supportive and encouraging. I really hope my dd’s aren’t ever made to feel like they aren’t good enough by the attitudes of supposed feminists on this post, the sneery attitudes towards a sport they don’t deem ‘worthy’ is so disappointing to see. Instead of seeing strong and skillful women and girls (and men and boys as it is a mixed sport!) they are focusing on the attitudes of men who watch American football?!

Its popular because when a few (3 usually) people are responsible for the safety of lifting someone up above head height, throwing them high in the air and catching them again, fast moving, with tumbles, music and a big audience thrown in... it's really bonding, you know exactly what teamwork is, you make amazing friendships, it's incredibly tough (mentally and physically).

Compare to football, basketball, swimming, long distance running, whatever- why would anyone choose them over Cheer?

I agree the Lolita Texas big hair shit is really not what it's like in decent places. Hence it becomes more popular as that stereotype gets forgotten.

There are also university athletic scholarships available exclusively to cheerleaders.

Competitive cheerleading is when cheer squads compete against each other at a competition.

At a typical cheerleading competition, teams perform a 2 and a half minute routine with music that includes stunts, jumps, tumbling. Teams are judged by a panel of cheerleading experts on difficulty and execution.

Some of them do compete.

Yes, they absolutely do! Its not an "act". Its the main event in big venues.

I wouldn’t argue it’s anyone’s fault - and not that anyone is ‘wrong’. And I would never dream of undermining or questioning any young person involved.
It’s more that I am slightly bemused (again with my elderly feminist hat on) that it is so popular. I just can’t imagine wanting to participate in something with such a problematic public perception (albeit perhaps historic), one which suggests women performing in support of men is great. ( and I’ve heard the posters saying it’s not that anymore - but I would argue that the perception of it is)

Totally agree but you’re not going to make the Dallas Cowboys if ‘any weight & appearance’ ditto most University first or intermediate teams.

@Lostuser so using your logic (that if there’s no win it’s not a sport) trampolining isn’t a sport. Gymnastics isn’t a sport.
Except they clearly are. Your logic is flawed.
I think acrobatic style cheerleading is most definitely a sport.

But: keeping children safe in big competitions, appropriate body movements, decent outfits, makeup being discouraged, age appropriate music... these are things that ALL cheer clubs should absolutely be on top of. And some aren't, which is appalling.

@Lucelulu surely then the fault is in the observer, not in the athlete/parent/coach/ governing body?

Maybe but the objectification it represented or induced does still exist. I’m not sure it’s so simple to disconnect contemporary culture from relatively recent history and perception - however convenient it might be to argue that position.

I have found cheer in general to be a very positive and inclusive sport. Of course I have heard of some horrible coaches, particularly at the higher levels but the general atmosphere is positive and supportive. I really love the teams where you have able bodied and disabled people participating together, in the same competitions as everyone else (although obviously in their own category).

It’s an activity, not sure it’s actually sport, more a performance like dance. Activities can be physical but not sport.

my issue with cheer is that its origins are about women looking glamorous/sexy to support mens sport.

Loads of sports include wearing a particular "look". Beach volleyball, tennis, gymnastics, dressage, cricket, whatever. At least with cheer the lycra serve a purpose - easier to catch a falling body if it's shape isn't obscured by baggy clothes.

You can be any size any weight any appearance and be a genuinely valued and important part of a team. So long as you're strong, fit, and skilled you're face really doesn't have to fit.

Few traditionally mens sports are questioned in the way traditionally female sports are - its absurd that wonen and girls shoukd have to doubt if theirs is a "proper sport" rather than a way to titillate men.

It's competitive, it needs strength and fitness. Theres huge level of physical skill in competitive cheer.

It's no longer about cheering on the menz nor light entertainment: Dallas cowboys are a dance group and that old high school Mean Girls trope is really out of date bollocks.

Sadly I hate watching female gymnasts, probably more so on TV as you can get to see far too much!! I am hoping there is progress made that they can start wearing gym shorts over leotards, I’m sure France has brought it in?

My perception of the team gymnastics kind of cheer is from Netflix: similarly full of stereotypes.