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

[TheQuirkyMaker]

Here:

Yeah, I was agreeing with you.

@Lucelulu the roots of sideline Cheer was originally performed by men!

Ah ok. As in each time the host country can pick a certain number of sports to be included just in that one Olympics?

@MasterBeth no they don’t lose marks if they don’t smile. Nor do they receive or lose points on what they do or don’t wear.

Actually I fib if they are not modest enough they can have deductions.

@MenoCoach I agree about the awesome athleticism, but in the US show there were clearly a lot of stereotypes about both sexes and homophobia going on. For example, am sure no one batted an eyelid at traditionally masculine, sporty men being the ‘bases’ but presumably there were no male fliers. (When some men have a small, light physique - eg jockeys)

Ooh interesting I didn’t know that and just had a quick look at the history.
Apparently the International Cheer Union got full recognition status by the IOC in 2021 for those discussing. I think from the complete outside the perception is perhaps of the 80’s and 90’s US high school gender stereotypes and women cheering men on

Wow. A modesty clause. How progressive.

If you look up the team performances at “worlds” when they compete as countries they do a chant and a bit of pom Pom at the beginning, this only happens when they compete as a country, you will also notice that their kit is more modest and little “bling” compared to when they compete in their all star teams.

There is guidance around insisting on more modest outfits and the range of age groups etc has been revised and rerevised in recent years to improve safeguarding.

Although the reason it began with men seems to be connected to the fact that women and minorities were not allowed to attend the institutions where it started

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

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?

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

@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.

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

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)

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

Some of them do compete.

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.

There are also university athletic scholarships available exclusively to cheerleaders.

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.