Cheerleading=degrading/sexist?

[Anonymous]

so in my western civ. class, some feminist girl was talking about how cheerleading is sexist and degrading to girls (we were mostly talking about the high school level). Her basic argument was like this: "the guys are being glorified by going and playing a game and the girls are just supposed to cheer them on and sit there on the sidelines. It is like saying that women are only supposed to support men being the real movers and shakers."

I didn't say anything because I wasn't looking to make an enemy that day. But I disagree with her. Here's how I view it :

It isn't just girls on the sidelines, tons of people show up to watch football games and cheer on their team, guys and girls, anybody who doesn't play football. Does it degrade them? I don't think so. I didn't feel degraded going to high school games to cheer on my friends. In fact, the cheerleaders are actually probably more elevated than the average person in the stands..think about...people respond when cheerleaders ask people to cheer, hold signs, etc.

I could see how she feels because it is guys playing while girls cheer, but lets face it...guys are better at sports...at east at football. Girls just aren't cut out to compete with guys on the field. sad but true. So cheerleading is just a fun way to get involved. I certainly didn't ever think of a girl as being inferior to a guy just because he paled football and she didn't.

It just seemed like maybe she was bitter and venting or something...what do you think?

[raspberry0416]

Cheerleading is sexist because cheerleaders are selected based on their looks. It's another manifestation of seeing women as decorative objects rather than active people who do something productive. Are girls who dance around waving pom-poms as important as boys who are out there playing the sport? Does it involve nearly as much skill? No. (I understand cheerleaders also perform dance and gymnastics routines, but... why not just join the dance team or the gymnastics team?) People go to the game to see the game, not the cheerleaders. They are secondary.
If cheerleaders are supposed to lead people in cheers, why do they all have to be hot girls in skimpy outfits? What part of pumping up the atmosphere requires being an attractive woman? Nothing. It's because men like to ogle at hot girls. Do women like looking at cheerleaders? Honestly, I think not really, because every woman wishes she was beautiful and inevitably compares herself to the cheerleaders. Cheerleaders don't exist for our benefit.
Do you think women don't have enough reminders that society cares about how we look, and our looks are extremely important? Going to a football game and seeing cheerleaders is just another of these reminders.
Your classmate was definitely on to something.

[Dboi2001]

In sports men are chosen based on how big and strong they are. Is that sexist to weak or unatheltic men? clearly this is perpetuating male testosterone aggressive stereotypes

It’s a simple the better shape you are in the more athletic you are. How many fat people can do flips and shit? And women love looking at other pretty women. Ever seen fashion magazines? Practically every girl at my school ogles and talks about beautiful models and celebrities

[Cool-Relax]

There are male cheerleaders, and women play plenty of other sports, they aren't limited to sitting on the sidelines cheering guys on. Also, if you look at competitive cheerleading, what they do is very physically demanding, making them "movers and shakers" as much as the men are. I don't know about the high school level, but in college, competitive cheer teams are usually strictly involved in competitions, not cheering at games.

Besides, putting down girls for being cheerleaders is sexist on her part. Feminism is *supposed* to be about options--if women want to be cheerleaders, they can be cheerleaders; if they want to play basketball, they can play basketball, it's not just for guys anymore. She's hurting her own movement.

[toulouse]

"guys are better at sports...atleast at football. Girls just aren't cut out to compete with guys on the field. "

You should have left that part out. Its immaterial to the point about girls not being degraded if they choose to cheer. Saying girls can't play sports is obnoxious. You'd be better off offering the fact guys are cheer leaders too. Saying girls should cheer because they can't play, is about as bad as saying girls should not cheer because guys can play. Girls can ,do, and will continue to play sports... Imo you and the girl have sexist attitudes. You are not sexist however, till you put it into practice -so there is still time. ^^

[Asker]

Wow. I didn't say "girls can't play sports." or "Saying girls should cheer because they can't play" check it again. the reason I included that was to point out that it's not like girl were excluded from football becasue of some sexist societal attitude. It is because they just aren't equallt matched with guys in an athletic sense. I think you went into this question wanting to brand me a sexist, you sure put a lot of words in my mouth.

[gotc147]

Western civilization class... I'd personally like to take one of those classes VERY much.

Anyway, nobody has a gun to their head, they don't have to do it if they don't want to. In fact they have to try out and put effort into being able to sit on the sidelines and cheer. That's like p*rn, even here in America so many people think it's degrading, again, they're not forced to do it, and they often enjoy it even.

Feminists are idiots, I'm guessing she's never living in a western culture? How would she know?

P.S. I'd be verrrrrry happy if you could educate me on exactly what is taught in this class you speak of, I can't help but wonder how accurate it is.

[BurningHammer]

Feminists are idiots and should go back to the kitchen to make me a steak! (I kid :P.) Sexism of any kind is deplorable and they're just an assemblage of p*ssed-off spinsters whose ovaries are drying and shrivelling up; the fact of the matter is that they are no better than the ones they are lobbying against-and if they want to make things right ought to take the high-ground and attempt to get guys to support their view instead of vilifying anybody with testicles.

[BurningHammer]

I think she's a bitter miserable thing who probably gets no male attention. By extension, wouldn't the fact that athletes are competing be exploitation of them also-talking her twisted logic what's not to say that the guys in their football uniforms and potentially tight pants etc. aren't provocative to some or the source of eye-candy for others. Ultimately males and females exploit each other-it's a good thing provided there is a balance and the exploitation is flirtatious not malicious.

I think this person needs to get a life.

[Littletad]

Regardless of what feminist think, cheerleaders play a role in the game of football. However you want to view it, that's how it is. Some fine it degrading, some define it as a sport, and some could care less. I've known a few friends who were cheerleaders, and they are no different than other women. It all depends on the individual.

[missymoo]

I agree with you. Plus aren't there male cheerleaders these days? I wouldn't know, because I'm from Australia and we don't have high school cheerleaders here. But I'm sure the girls wouldn't do it if they didn't enjoy it.

[gotc147]

Is murder really legal in Austrailia?

[Asker]

O yea..i forgot bout the guy cheerleaders..i think they are rare at the high school level tho, there was never any at my school and I think there was only one I recall seeing at a school we played. But at the college level there are actually a lot of guy cheerleaders. I mean they need someone to hold the girls up and the guys get a scholarships and sideline views of games...sounds like a sweet deal.

[missymoo]

@gotc147

ofcourse it is, nothing like a good murder spree before dinner to get the blood pumping. -.-

[Anonymous]

I say cheer is degrading because of how it's represented. Seriously why do girls have to wear slutty attire? Cheer is also based on how you look, I've never seen a fat cheerleader. Also I've never seen a smart one. It's just so degrading to think that the population of cheerleaders are mainly girls.

[Anonymous]

Tell her it's degrading to even think that women can be degraded by such things.

[Starling]

Feminists p*ss me off.

[Asker]

Lol...me too sometimes...

[Applefan1]

LOL... Feminists p*ss me off to sometimes.

[Juliana777]

I agree with your point of view.

[Anonymous]

They wouldn't do it, if they thought it was