to not let daughter do cheerleading?

[undercoverfunster]

Am I BU? She's 8, school have a cheerleading club once a week. ( they don't actually cheer a team, just learn routines) Some of the 'cool' girls do it, so now she wants to. I think it's pointless, sexist and outdated. And the 'cool' girls are also the not-very-nice ones in her year, who make fun of her for being in the football team.

She''s a VERY active kid, plays football and tennis competitively, swims, runs, plays basketball. All of which she loves so doesn't need the exercise.

She has tried various 'girls' activities over the years ( to try to keep in with the 'cool' girls) but gets bored of them quickly ( dance, gymnastics, musical theatre, ballet, netball).

I just think cheerleading is shite! And sends the wrong message to girls - don't cheer for the team be IN the bloody team.
And I sure a heck don't want her quitting something useful to try it for 2 months and get bored...

@BRITISHAIRWAYSSUCK honestly what’s inappropriate about this?

Fine if it’s not for you but I don’t get the thing about ‘sexy outfits’ , how can they be construed as sexy? They’re little girls ?

THEN WHY are they wearing make up? And don't the big stupid bows get in the way of all the athletic tumbling????

@undercoverfunster the team should be picked on talent/skill only, regardless of gender and then structured A,B,C teams. That’s how most unisex teams work, and the best girls get to play with the best boys. Honestly why don’t the teachers just pick the best players ?

I don't see it as a form of exercise and I think it can be very sexual (dress inappropriately and prance around cheering on the boys). No thanks

My dd and the other girls and boys who go to her club train in leggings/joggers and a t shirt. It's not inappropriate and there's no mention of cheering on sports team.

@undercoverfunster a couple of the older ones are wearing some red lipstick probably to do with stage lights. They’re harsh and it’s the same reason Ralph Fiennes and his ilk wear foundation and eyeliner onstage at the RSC. Also the bows don’t get in the way, they’re Just a cheerleading tradition. I’ve seen plenty of girls football teams with similar bows in their team colours with their names on.

Honestly I can tell what sort of parent you are and you’re desire to be so right on and feminist is going to be damaging to your daughter. So will she not be allowed to mess about with makeup as a teenager ? Only allowed to wear trousers and a football top? So that she doesn’t wear anything ‘stupid and girly ‘?

Gymnasts wear make up and bows - google Simone Biles.

Jeez don’t tell the OP about rhythmic gymnastics. She’ll collapse.

Hit send mid message: l’ll try again. I don’t think it’s worth making a big issue of this. There are going to be far bigger things that require a “no” as part of parenting.

@Chillicheese123 you know it is OK to have a different view to yours right? You're coming across all high and mighty, must be chilly up there whilst you're looking down and judging everyone elses parenting abilities because we have different views.

@BRITISH are you the OP? Hmm.... I’m not being high and mighty? Just think this raid desire and ‘pink drinks’ type thinking is so damaging, far more damaging than some little girls doing a dance routine in their PE kit for an hour a week

As for those who think primary school girls might look sexy... I think they’re the problem tbf.

@formerbabe thank you for the constructive comment.

I've seen the girls at my DD school doing it in their cheerleading uniform and its pretty skimpy. Perhaps it is run by different companies with different policies on dress code

Pink drinks are nice, obviously I meant pink stinks..

Also out of interest did you watch any of the stunt/all star videos me and some others posted ? Care to elaborate why it’s not a form of exercise then?

YABU.

@Chillicheese123 no not the OP and I think you need to read what I wrote instead of what you see, I didn't say it was sexy, I said SEXUAL.

I apologise if that comment came across rude, it rattled me a bit because we are all adults and understand it is OK not to agree with one another, however your comment became personal on parenting style which has nothing to do with me, you or anyone else. We parent our children how we want and I think comments like that don't help. But that's just my view...

Anyway I'm out, this is why I dont usually participate in these forums because there are always people that take it to another level and crossing a line. Peace out peeps and OP, do what you feel is best for your child!!!!

A couple of my daughters friends have been doing (or maybe they stopped now, not sure) all star cheer since they were a similar age and whilst it was very gymnastics-y, they also had spray tans and wore a full face of make up for competitions so on that basis I think it's naff as fuck.

My DD does it at school. They wear PE t-shirt and leggings/joggers.

Definitely nothing about it is for “cheering the boys”. It’s an all girls school

Cheerleading is sexualised.

It's origins are totally sexist.
Wearing beavy make up, bows and skimpy outfits, is not just sexist - it is abuse of the child, in my opinion

There is a long, long history of controversy with cheerleading

I don't know why you bothered posting. You clearly didn't want opinions.

Here is one article: the N.F.L. has faced a rash of lawsuits and ugly allegations over its treatment of cheerleaders. Five former members of the Washington Redskins squad say the team flew them to Costa Rica in 2013, stripped them of their passports, and required them to pose topless before wealthy fans.

It doesn't make sense to me to say - oh but my daughter is doing different cheer/ all star cheer.

Cheer originated in America. That is where his "sport" comes from. And if the origins of this sport is mired in controversy, sexosm, and taking advantage of women - it is important to know that

It is fun, it is exercise, she is with her mates , what is the issue?

It's origins are totally sexist
Wearing beavy make up, bows and skimpy outfits, is not just sexist - it is abuse of the child, in my opinion

Things evolve.

Cheer originated in America. That is where his "sport" comes from. And if the origins of this sport is mired in controversy, sexosm, and taking advantage of women - it is important to know that

God what bullshit.

Gymnastics in the US had a far worse sex abuse scandal, at the highest levels, over many years.

Should that be boycotted too?

the team should be picked on talent/skill only, regardless of gender and then structured A,B,C teams. That’s how most unisex teams work, and the best girls get to play with the best boys. Honestly why don’t the teachers just pick the best players

Yep. It doesn't matter how oversubscribed the school football team is, the best players should be on the team, no matter what sex they are.

Initially some parents were a bit funny about seeing my daughter on the pitch. But by the end of the game, they all saw that she had earned her place on the team, and in fact was one of the best players. They were always really positive about her, on the sidelines. Her team mates never had any problem with her presence at all, because they recognised her worth.

She's now 30. Last year one of her old classmates was chatting to me in Tesco, and was reminiscing about old times. "I'll never forget J," he said "she set up my first ever goal when we were in the Year four football team!"

@LaurieMarlow you saying something is "bullshit" doesn't make it "bullshit".

If you google USA cheer - you will see hundreds of stories of abuse and sexism. Go on, try it, press that button.

And yes, there are also huge problems in USA gymnastics. Another sport that makes female children wear skimpy clothing, while the boys are allowed to wear more clothing. The girls do not have an option to wear anything other than very skimpy leotards. Both organisations are abusive to females. Anyone can see that.