Little girls and cheerleading?

[fourgrtkidos]

Could you all post your opinions about cheerleading. My 7 yr old wants to be a cheerleader instead of playing a sport this year. I am opposed. I need everyone's and varied oppinions.

Thanks. Michelle

[LavenderMae]

My dd thought cheerleading was cool a couple of years ago when my step-brother's gf was one. I tried to take it in stride. I do not have high opinions of the whole concept of cheerleading. I wouldn't let my 7yr.old dd be one. When she is a teen the decision would be up to her but I would be honest with her about my feelings about it. We plan on homeschooling all the way thru though so I'm not sure how she would go about becoming one anyway.
I think dressing up girls in short skirt and having them jump and dance around to get the crowd going and cheer for "their boys" is kindof sick. I think playing an actual sport is much better for a girls self-esteem.

[momsgotmilk4two]

I'm kind of torn on the issue. On the one hand, I have seen cheerleading competitions that blew me away. Those girls (and guys too!) had real talent and were getting just as much excersize as they would playing a sport. On the other hand, I don't like how much emphasis is placed on looks among most squads. I'd probably tend to steer my dd in the direction of a sport, or perhaps jazz dance or some kind of funk dancing if she was really drawn to cheerleading.

[shelbean91]

In high school, I was a cheerleader and I also played volleyball (can't tell it by looking at me now, but that's another thread....)

Honestly, I would probably let her try it. She might not even like it, but I think when we put the negative spin on it, it makes the girls want to try even more. I don't think it's even a negative thing, it was a lot of fun, and it was exercise- a lot more than most people think- and our squad wasn't even that good. :LOL

I think it's good to have a balance and she probably just think it looks fun, and it is. Maybe have her do cheerleading and another sport to keep balance?

[polka hop]

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[Embee]

I was a cheerleader at 12, 13 and 16. At first it was just a team us youngin's put together for a local peewee football team and at 16 in high school. I enjoyed the experience very much and it was just something I really wanted to do. Because I was intimidated by team sports of all kinds (preferred gymnasitcs and choir and participated in those as well), cheerleading was a great opportunity for me to take part in a situation where team work was important. And most importantly, I don't think it has had any negative effect on my person. While philosophically it may be unappealing to some, I don't tend to think so. Like riotkrrn mentioned, anymore cheerleading is just as athletic as most sports (and even more athletic than I few I can think of).

All in all, it was just a lot of fun. I liked the colorful outfits, the acrobatics and syncronizing routines with others who were just as enthusiastic. I learned alot about team sports (basketball, football, etc.), because I spent so much time observing them and as a result, was less intimidated by them, and in the was more apt to participate in gym or community events.

Because it was something I really wanted to do, I worked hard at it and did well. More than anything else, it was a confidence builder for me--something I really needed at the time.

[AllyRae]

I was a high school and college cheerleader...to me, it's a sport. It's very athletic, requires a lot of discipline, hard work, cooperation, and talent. I never had time to sexualize it...after 4 hours a day 6 days a week of practice, I was too dang tired to flaunt around in the skirt. LOL! I say go for it...it's a sport just like any other. If that's her interest at the moment, let her explore it and decide if she likes it.

[Boobs]

I would let her try it out if I were you. She might resent you not letting her when she's older and it's something she always wanted to do, but was not allowed.
I resent my mother for letting me do something long enough to really get into it and then we'd move and I never got to do it again. ( ie, tap, ballet, jazz, gymnastics, piano)

[weetzie]

I know that my opinion will not be popular, but I say no. And I am not one to say no often, but I wanted to try out for cheer when I was younger and I was steered towards dance and am SO happy that my parents did not want me to cheer. Please PM me--I want to talk about it with you if you'd like, but I dont want to step on toes.

[EMZ]

I plan to offer all sorts of different activities to my daughter and let her decide what she likes and does not like. Honestly, if it holds her attention and she wants to work hard at it, whatever it may be, I'll support her.

There are pros and cons to everything from soccer to dancing.

FWIW, I tried out for cheerleading and didn't make it but would never discourage my daughter from doing something she may end up deeply enjoying. (of course, I'll be a little envious, LOL!)

[TiredX2]

It would totally depend on how the situation was set up.

Does it combine actual gymnastics and dance routines, team building, competitions, etc... or is it just a bunch of girls gabbing by the side lines and being told what to do by the "real atheletes"?

[equinox]

I don't want to project my feelings about cheerleading on my daughters if they ever want to do it. Their activities are their choice. If I felt they were in danger of picking up "less than desireable" personality traits as a result of being involved in any activity and being with other children I would promptly give them guidance though.

[lilyka]

There are two different sort of cheerleading groups here. there is the glorified dance teams and there are the girls cheering at games. If it was just the dance thing I would let my dd do it. but first I would check them out, watch thier routiens, what sort of music are they dancing to (If it was sexually graphic or other wise music I wouldn't let my dd listen to I would be out of there), what are thier moves like? are they just dancing or are the bumping and grinding and flaunting thier not-yet-there stuff (nothing is worse than a 7 year old shaking her boobies that aren't there yet ) and of course th eattitude of the teacher. Is she a perfectionist? too hard on the children? if everything is sweet and innocent and everyone is having fun i might be inclined to go with it.

Although another aspect is it is very athlet, they push pretty hard and like gymnastics it has a high injury rate. Are youwilling to let your child risk that? i am not I guess. it is why we don't do gymnastics (that and the highly competative nature of it). I will not let my dd risk those kinds of injuries. It happens so otften. I wouldn't let my children play football for the same reasons.

[AppleOrangePear]

I think it depends on the personality of the child ( her confidence etc) I was a cheerleader when i was younger and didnt date the football team and when i was a little older i actually hung around with kids that werent so great however my parents did trust me enough to know i was smart enough to be a leader and not a follower. I think it depends on the individual. though i do tease and tell my 9 month old he can be anything in life he wants prince, princess etc just pleasssssse not military haha...... i also try hard not to let my negative feelings or thoughts reflect on DS ( i really dont like football either does DH however we will try hard not to express that to DS as he gets older,we love surfing however hope to not push that on him cause wed like him to do it) we want our son to be a individual and have 2 things roots to grow and wings to fly...

Michele

[e&e's_mama]

I will start by saying that I am totally biased since cheerleading was the main influence in my life for 14 years. I cheered in high school and college and then coached a spectacular, athletic, amazing group of women for a college. I look forward to coaching again when my path leads back in that direction.

I will also say that my family and friends know me to be an outspoken feminist. You may be thinking: how can these two facets possibly coexist in the same person?

I cheered on teams that were strictly athletic. We were treated as athletes. We competed as athletes. We respected ourselves as athletes. We ran as much as the basketball players and wrestlers. We could do as many push ups as the football players. We cheered on the sidelines for other teams, but to us cheerleading was our sport. We competed with other teams and young women and men who took it as seriously as we did.

Trust me, there can be "cheerleading baggage:" the stereotyping, the disrespect from other athletes. However, I had incredible coaches who taught me self respect, to respect being a member of a team, to respect my body and what it could do when it is healthy and fit, to work out conflict among my teammates, to try with everything we had when we were out on the floor performing whether it was a competition or a game. I learned life lessons on my cheer teams.

I do encourage you to look into the coaching staff and the support the cheer teams get from the school district or gym they are a part of. Cheerleading is a demanding, specialized sport that requires a knowledgeable coach. People do get hurt cheerleading just like they get hurt playing any other sport. However, if the coach is trained and informed about proper safety guidelines, she/he will know what level of performance is appropriate for each team member.

I wish you luck in making the best decision for your dd. If she does get involved, I wish her as fulfilling experience as I had! Feel free to PM if you have any other questions. Peace!

[guest^]

A MOST DEFINITE NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

I am sorry if I offend others, but "athletic,team" skills aside, it is still CHEERING ANOTHER PERSON ON! PERIOD!!!!!!

There is noooooo way that I would allow dd to cheer others on.....she is a competent,strong female who is capable of having OTHERS cheer *HER* on!!!!

We took our dc to our hometown highschool girls basketball game.....we left when the cheerleaders and dance team came out at half time to "perform".Skimpy outfits. Sexual music,etc...

There are dance centers/climics that promote cheerleading as early as first grade-for Pee-Wee football. I think it is SICK!!!!!! Our young dd's are bombarded enough just standing in the grocery line. Why send them out to an area of our society that is based on females looking good,having A-1 bodies, and essentially *performing* for others talents??????

PLease tell me what life skills you can aquire from cheerleading, that will beneft you as an adult?
MY answer is NONE!!! And if you tell me one, I can tell you there are at least 5 more that are just as worthy,and focus on the dc's talent and capability-not performance.

And, I speak from experience-I was either on a dance team or a cheerleader(in a very large school)-for a total of 4 years. Then heavily recruited by our local major University.

My dd takes dance-but no way will I allow her to cheer for others while *they* could be cheering HER on!!

Gee-----A little outspoken-but not sorry!!!!!!

mp(recovering cheerleader)

[polka hop]

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[EFmom]

I would also say no. I pretty much agree with mamapoppins. There are a ton of athletic activities out there that weren't developed with the idea of being sexy window dressing for other people (generally of the male variety). While some places do now have co-ed cheering, where I live it is overwhelmingly girls cheering boys. Yuck.

[NiteNicole]

I loved cheering - it was a huge confidence booster for me (a huge turn around at a time when I needed it badly). I liked the dynamics of a team, but I didn't like competitive sports (I did like competitive cheering, no one got hit or elbowed out of the way or anything - I know rougher sports appeal to a lot of people but I just don't have that kind of competitive edge).

Depending on the squad (every one is handled and run differently), I'd certainly encourage my son or daughter to cheer. At age seven, I think the most they get out of it is a fun costume, a little bit of team work, and the ability to be comfortable in front of a crowd, but that's enough for me.

[Graceoc]

I was my understanding that cheerleading is now not always affiliated with cheering on another team - it has evolved in some areas as it's own sport. I see all kinds of gyms and centers that coach cheerleading teams - and these girls are not cheering for anyone but themselves. IT is not the sidline cheerleading that you see in schools and such (although some schools do have OUTSTANDING athletic cheer programs in addition to still cheering for other teams)

I think - like any other sport or activity you might consider - that you need to look at what type of program it is, what the coaching staff is like, and what the other kids are like. I don't see anything wrong with cheerleading itself and in fact think it could - like other sports - but a great thing to get involved in.