Do other parents really complain?

[Lorelei Lee]

Yes, I know there are some high school teams that do that kind of acrobatic cheerleading. I thought All-Star was the style, not a specific league. I'm not down with the lingo.

Anyway, what I meant was that is not the norm when it comes to high school cheerleading. At least not what I or anyone I know that went to school around here would have witnessed in high school. When people talk about cheerleaders they are usually talking about the style I knew. The ones that stand on the sidelines and do a little cheering. I still don't know of a single school around me that has that kind of cheering, the kind you see on ESPN from time to time. That stuff is different but it isn't the norm nor is it what I think when I hear the word cheerleader.

I'm sure there are a few schools around here that have it but they are the exception, not the norm.




This exactly.

My educated guess, most areas now do the acrobatic cheer leading. Some places don't, of course. I've seen national competitions where the teams may do some tumbling but no stunting, or they may do the dance moves but no stunting or tumbling.

Second point -- even teams that don't stunt or tumble work hard. As I said, my younger daughter was on dance team. I saw a lot of kickline/pom squad performances while she was on the team. It doesn't involve gymnastics or stunting, but it's not just "shaking pom poms" either -- the the choreography can be physically demanding. Ever try doing a Fouetté? Or a cheerleading jump?

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

IMHO, Friday Night Lights was a bit beyond the seriousness in most areas, although they do say it really is that serious in TX.

The high school dd attends is a 105 year old school and the alumni is one of the strongest I know of. Its more about supporting the school and its students than winning (and in FNL, it seemed that it was all about winning)

I never saw Friday Night Lights (movie or television show) but I did read the book. Actually, I read it while I was in high school. I'm from a town where one of the schools actually played Permian. I remember Permian all too well. The Mojo. Wow. Anyway, yes, in Texas we do take our football quite seriously. And we all have a good time! If you are really looking for something ridiculous to do, google image search some of our homecoming mums.

 

[cheer25mom]

There is the acrobatic All-Star cheer stuff but I don't know of a single high school around here that has that kind of cheerleader. Not a single one. When someone says cheerleader I think what most everyone else I know thinks and what we all had in high school. Girls who dressed hot, did little cheers on the sidelines of sporting events, and maybe got into a pyramid once or twice a year at a pep rally. No flipping or throwing or gymnastics. Most probably couldn't even cartwheel.

Unless someone specifies the gymnastics kind of cheer just saying cheerleader evokes "give me an A, Give me a G...", not choreographed gymnastics.

Definitely not what cheer is anymore. My 9 year old is a late tumbler and is almost to a backhandspring. She can stunt at extention and thow and catch cradles. They are working basket tosses. You must have at least a tuck to even try out for middle school in this area, and you typically won't make it without stunting experience. This is serious athleticism, not Ra-Ra. It is sad that people still think that way about cheer, but we run into it every day. My 9 year old girl beat out the boys at school for the push up record, and could beat most of them at sit ups and shuttle run as a direct result of conditioning for cheerleading. They train hard and work hard because they have to do so to throw the elite skills they are attempting safely.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

Cheerleading Rant coming, Totally off topic and Not directed at anyone in particular.

Well around here all the schools go, at least the public schools and that include middles schools with the exception of 1 I believe. And they fact that I can see so many cheer groups from all over the country on TV competing, I believe that those that don't ( at least on some level) are in the minority. Cheerleading is fast becoming number 1 in injuries because of the stunts and skills that these girls perform.

Also those of us with girls that cheer whether it is school or All Star tend to get a little nasty when people refer to it as girls just shaking there behinds at people. I realize that this is some of what happens, but I also see the other side. I see anywhere from 6-10 hours a week of practice, I see the concussions, broken bones, and numerous other injuries because of what these girls do.
Also this is the only team sport that I can think of that doesn't have a backup girl, if a girl is sick or injured and they ahve to compete, ususally they suck it up, there is no 2nd string. It teaches team work more than any sport I can think of.

There is a shirt out there that sums it up for me and a lot of cheer moms and cheerleaders, it says; You throw a ball for sport, big deal, I throw people. Ok my Cheer rant is over. Thanks for listening.

ETA" this is not directed at you at all, yes cheer is very expensive and that is unfortunate. Just a rant in general because of the attitudes towards cheer in general. these girls work hard and I just hate to see them put down.

My daughter broke her finger and sprained her elbow during cheer practice. That elbow brace was a pain in the neck. She wound up as a flyer when another girl missed half the season with a shoulder injury. And one of her friends sprained an ankle IN THE MIDDLE OF COMPETITION when she came down wrong out of a stunt.


My friend's dd was a "base" throughout high school. Had her nose broken twice when the flyer came down wrong...my friend was so relieved when dd chose to try out for the college dance team not the cheer squad.

 

[luvsJack]

I never saw Friday Night Lights (movie or television show) but I did read the book. Actually, I read it while I was in high school. I'm from a town where one of the schools actually played Permian. I remember Permian all too well. The Mojo. Wow. Anyway, yes, in Texas we do take our football quite seriously. And we all have a good time! If you are really looking for something ridiculous to do, google image search some of our homecoming mums.

We aren't far from ya'll with football!

I have seen the mums! WOW! We had homecoming mums back when I was in high school but they don't do it anymore. BUT, ours were never as big or as ornate at ya'll's.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

We aren't far from ya'll with football!

I have seen the mums! WOW! We had homecoming mums back when I was in high school but they don't do it anymore. BUT, ours were never as big or as ornate at ya'll's.

They were just getting really nuts when I was graduating. I always had just a "normal" (and I use that term loosely since a lot of people to wear them at all) one with the one mum flower and the ribbons that hung to my knee.

 

[Colleen27]

I'm familiar with most of our close by Private schools, the local Public school and the public school at the other town that is near to us. I'm not aware of any competitive Cheer activities at these schools. There are a couple of local Gymnastics clubs that sponsor Competitive Cheer teams, but unless things have drastically changed at the schools the Cheer Squads are not competing.

Gymnastics is a fairly expensive sport so it isn't as likely in some areas that you will find enough girls with Competitive Cheer type skills to be Competitive Cheerleaders. There are a couple of schools 30 to 40 minutes from here that have a much higher average Household income. I would expect that if anybody in this area had Competitive Cheer squads in their schools it would be those schools, but I really have no idea if they do or not.

That's how it is here too. I'm aware of a couple competitive cheer programs, but they're at private gyms. Schools have sidelines cheer. My daughter isn't planning to attend our neighborhood high school so we've been checking out just about every school in the county and they're all similar on that count. Cheer exists to support football (and sometimes basketball), not as a sport in its own right.

Income probably is a factor in that. This whole area is lower-middle to middle-middle class and gymnastics is an expensive sport. Between that and the small size of our area schools, I doubt any of the high schools have enough students with gymnastics or dance backgrounds to start a competitive cheer program.

 

[mhsjax]

My daughter broke her finger and sprained her elbow during cheer practice. That elbow brace was a pain in the neck. She wound up as a flyer when another girl missed half the season with a shoulder injury. And one of her friends sprained an ankle IN THE MIDDLE OF COMPETITION when she came down wrong out of a stunt.


My friend's dd was a "base" throughout high school. Had her nose broken twice when the flyer came down wrong...my friend was so relieved when dd chose to try out for the college dance team not the cheer squad.

Yep.

 

[Colleen27]

I never saw Friday Night Lights (movie or television show) but I did read the book. Actually, I read it while I was in high school. I'm from a town where one of the schools actually played Permian. I remember Permian all too well. The Mojo. Wow. Anyway, yes, in Texas we do take our football quite seriously. And we all have a good time!

It isn't really quite that serious here. I use the FLN reference sort of tongue-in-cheek because as a city girl who graduated from a school that had 3 football wins the the 4 years I was there it seems so crazy to me that a whole town gets worked up over high school ball.

 

[mamacatnv]

I am so sorry. You are right. I must have caught a different page top. I am really really sorry op

No worries at all

IMHO, Friday Night Lights was a bit beyond the seriousness in most areas, although they do say it really is that serious in TX.

The high school dd attends is a 105 year old school and the alumni is one of the strongest I know of. Its more about supporting the school and its students than winning (and in FNL, it seemed that it was all about winning)

I'll get back to y'all!

I never saw Friday Night Lights (movie or television show) but I did read the book. Actually, I read it while I was in high school. I'm from a town where one of the schools actually played Permian. I remember Permian all too well. The Mojo. Wow. Anyway, yes, in Texas we do take our football quite seriously. And we all have a good time! If you are really looking for something ridiculous to do, google image search some of our homecoming mums.

We aren't far from ya'll with football!

I have seen the mums! WOW! We had homecoming mums back when I was in high school but they don't do it anymore. BUT, ours were never as big or as ornate at ya'll's.

They were just getting really nuts when I was graduating. I always had just a "normal" (and I use that term loosely since a lot of people to wear them at all) one with the one mum flower and the ribbons that hung to my knee.

This this and this! Totally off topic but we had just moved here to TX, we were in a little itty bitty tiny town (we have since moved to civilization as I could not take the small town a minute longer) anyway, DD was in 8th grade and mentions that there is some sort of hysteria at school, something about a mum. I imagine a corsage, you know, with a mum, the flower.

Well, shame on us, we didn't pay any attention, didn't get DD one, didn't even blink twice or look into it at all. She didn't seem interested. So we go to the homecoming game and imagine my surprise when I see all these females (young and old) with basically a paper plate puking ribbons and bling everywhere, strapped to their chests & anchored by their bra's. I saw girls that probably normally don't wear a bra but had to in order to be able to keep their shirts on, gotta have that mum anchor! I'm equally amazed by the arm Mums the boys wear. I have never ever seen anything like it, we had no clue.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_88HN_PB8iHk/SPwImK1efUI/AAAAAAAABeU/3NkwjewdqgU/s400/2008%2B10%2B09%2B042.JPG&imgrefurl=http://lifeisjustsodaily.blogspot.com/2010/10/homecoming-mumsonly-in-texas.html&h=300&w=400&sz=32&tbnid=DxzqaZ8Q1zCsVM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=122&zoom=1&usg=__vv9HJwDTnBFSAkJ4dGgNZmQeHNc=&docid=rSwaPyM56Wl8QM&sa=X&ei=T_UgUtfFMZTOyAG5w4CoDg&ved=0CD8Q9QEwBA&dur=382
Fast forward, we have now been in TX a little over a year, DD is a Freshman and as hideous as I think they are, by golly that girl will have a mum this year! I started planning and saving up for the dreadful thing in June!

I'm a West coast kinda girl, I have never heard of these things, had never seen one, cannot even begin to imagine who thought they were a good idea etc. They remind me of the ultimate parent out doing the other parent type of thing that has gone bad, really bad. I saw a website where a Mum for a Sr. girl was $350! For a bunch of ribbon!!!!!!!!!!! Ohhhhh my
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_88HN_PB8iHk/SPwImK1efUI/AAAAAAAABeU/3NkwjewdqgU/s400/2008%2B10%2B09%2B042.JPG&imgrefurl=http://lifeisjustsodaily.blogspot.com/2010/10/homecoming-mumsonly-in-texas.html&h=300&w=400&sz=32&tbnid=DxzqaZ8Q1zCsVM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=122&zoom=1&usg=__vv9HJwDTnBFSAkJ4dGgNZmQeHNc=&docid=rSwaPyM56Wl8QM&sa=X&ei=T_UgUtfFMZTOyAG5w4CoDg&ved=0CD8Q9QEwBA&dur=382#imgdii=DxzqaZ8Q1zCsVM%3A%3BvYvoZtKCJN6isM%3BDxzqaZ8Q1zCsVM%3A

 

[cheer25mom]

I don't see it as "no different": from participating in sports. I can only speak for the teams I've been exposed to, of course, but both the youth and school programs in my community aren't what I would call a sport. It isn't the gymnastic, acrobatic cheer you see in competition; it is standing on the sidelines cheering for the boys (either basketball or football). And that's just not something I support/encourage for my girls - I want them out there on the field/court, learning about teamwork and being physically active and developing the self-confidence that comes from mastering skills, not standing on the sidelines looking cute and shaking it for the crowds.

I don't feel as strongly about dance or gymnastics, FWIW. I didn't go out of my way to encourage either, but when older DD asked to join dance I did sign her up (she did two years of ballet, jazz, and tap before deciding it was getting in the way of other activities) and now that younger DD is asking about gymnastics I'm working on finding a class that will fit our schedule. I don't love either sport because of the huge emphasis on body type/weight for girls who want to stick with it beyond early childhood, but I don't actively forbid or discourage them.

Cheerleading IS a team sport now, at least as I experience it here. They compete on thier own merit agianst other teams. Yes, school cher does still do sideline, but it is NOT the primary focus. They train to compete and win. No different that football or baseball.

Ok, so you totally took what I said and went sarcastic with it. gotta love the Dis.

I said that I couldn't take the uniform out of it, but I still fell that cheerleaders should be allowed to wear them, they always did around here and no one had a problem with it, not until some uptight people got into the school system.

The other paragraph was addressing the fact that if they are so offensive and against school dress code, when why are they allowed at school sanctioned events and not in school. Now, I never said they did these things in class did I. NOPE, I was talking in that paragraph about events and competition and maybe that is why they are so short, but you go ahead with your cheerleader hate. I love it.

Oh, and mine isn't a school cheerleader but an AllStar cheerleader, so I don't have a dog in this fight, I am just not a jealous bitter person.

DD does allstar nad I am SO tired of the ignorance toward what they do nad the hate that some people continue to spew about cheer.

I graduated in the 80s and we had several boys as cheerleaders.

Both my daughters wanted to do fencing! However, they didn't offer fencing anywhere in the county for them. They were heartbroken.



I agree you can't make everything equal; however, dress code is one of the things that you can and should make equal.



In the 80s we could wear sundresses, mini skirts, tank tops, shorts at least 4 inches from the knee.

Now, the dress code is extremely stricter, and it's more difficult to find clothes to go with the dress code (for girls).

For example, you can't wear a tank top under a shirt, shorts have to be 2 inches from the knee, close toe shoes at all times, no colored hair, ears pierced only, .......



I am not a person that is jealous of cheerleader, I'm laughing at that one. I never wanted to be one, never tried out for one and would never allow my daughters to be one. I'm thankful that they enjoy volleyball, soccer and track. My girls are not allowed to wear their uniforms on game days because it doesn't fit dress code policy. So the cheerleaders should not be allowed to, but they can.



Then they need to change dress code. I actually hope they change it so it will be easier to find clothes for school



That is so me!



How do you know its cheer envy? Did you ask them?

It is obvious because the nastines is only directed at cheleaders, and only comes from girls who tried out for the squad and didn't make it.

I tell my kids all the time that life isn't fair; however, dress code is something that can be fair and should be enforced in a fair manner. You can't have one group of kids allowed to wear something and not allow another group or individual. For example, you wouldn't allow one teacher to go against dress policy just because she did something special that week, but the others have to follow the policy. That would start all kinds of problems.
Actually, we do. If I take my marine science class on a fieldtrip to the river delta, I am not wearing pumps and slacks. Our coaches wear team shirsts on gameday just like the kids. Even the cheer sponsor wears her sponsor shirt. I think you absolutely can allow one group to wear something and not the other. DD's school allows spirit shirts on Fridays, but only with good behavior marks for the week.When the academic bowl team competes, they get to wear thier team shirt too. If a kid earns the privilige by having good behavior or working hard to be a part of a team, I don't see a problem. .
Keeping score, making the team, going to college, making money, getting a job ...... can't be fair, and you truly can't compare these things to dress code.

Yes, you can. Dress code can be used as a reward for something, and if you did the work to earn the reward, you should get it.

Miley Cyrus had her undergarments on!!!

Since when are undergarments considered appropriate cover at school, ever.

Do CheerMoms who support their daughters wearing their micro mini's all day at school just truly not see the inappropriate... or are they really supporting their daughter flitting a round all day flashing their halfway covered body parts, when not engaging in an athletic activity that requires limited athletic type clothing...
I don't have a problem with my kid or anyone elses wearing anything as long as the proper parts are covered. I personally think that school dress codes are way too restrictive and should really only be making sure all the appropiate parts or covered. I think no sleevless, not shorts, ect is really overstepping the boundaries. If ntohing is hanging out, it should be OK.
Don't think we will get an honest answer back on that one!!!!
Why, becuase parents of cheerleaders are inherntly dishonest? Great sterotyping!
Hey, how about track... Lets let them wear their micro tanks and micro shorts...
As long as they cover their cheeks are covered, becasue cheerleaders certianly are
Anyone noticed what track competitors are running in these days!!! Anyone see the Olympics.....

Hey, why not let swim team come to school in their speedos!!!!
The school obviously approved these too...
Again, they would need to cover thier cheeks.
So, Yey Rahhhhh..... You made the team, you have a body that you assume everybody else is just SO jealous of... so Yey!!!!

it is pretty clear to me that you have a lot of hostility towards anyone that get "special" treatment. Bottom line is, that high school athletes(yes cheerleaders ARE athletes!) work VERY hard for thier spots on thier teams and deserve special treatment, just like academic standouts, outstanding artists, dancers, and anyone else who goes above and beyoned to contribute to the school community.

 

[Granny square]

Saying that the only reason people might not like cheer leading is because they didn't make a squad is ridiculous. Are all the comments that the a academic students get just from academically stupid people? Or could they be a reaction to snobbery and rudeness?

People operate from different experiences. Some squads, clubs, and groups are full if terrible mean people. And some are filled with good hearted, fun, smart people. If your exposure is to one or the other than it will influence your viewpoint.

My sisters aqua was sweet. The group that came after them were hideous horrible Nasty people. I suspect the rest of that class has a different perspective than my sisters group.

To claim "jealousy" because someone doesn't like someone or something is juvenile. Do you like everyone and every group of people except the ones that wouldn't let you in? Really?

 

[ZachnElli]

Am I the only one who wore micro mini's on a daily basis to high school in the 80's? Yes, skirts I bought at the mall, as well as my cheer skirt. Of course, as I type this, I'm wearing a jean skirt that is a few inches above my knees and I'm 41 now!

 

[cheer25mom]

Am I the only one who wore micro mini's on a daily basis to high school in the 80's? Yes, skirts I bought at the mall, as well as my cheer skirt. Of course, as I type this, I'm wearing a jean skirt that is a few inches above my knees and I'm 41 now!

I wore them in the 90s.

 

[Granny square]

Am I the only one who wore micro mini's on a daily basis to high school in the 80's? Yes, skirts I bought at the mall, as well as my cheer skirt. Of course, as I type this, I'm wearing a jean skirt that is a few inches above my knees and I'm 41 now!

Late 70's. nope. You are not the only one. Legs aren't evil

 

[cheer25mom]

Saying that the only reason people might not like cheer leading is because they didn't make a squad is ridiculous. Are all the comments that the a academic students get just from academically stupid people? Or could they be a reaction to snobbery and rudeness?

People operate from different experiences. Some squads, clubs, and groups are full if terrible mean people. And some are filled with good hearted, fun, smart people. If your exposure is to one or the other than it will influence your viewpoint.

My sisters aqua was sweet. The group that came after them were hideous horrible Nasty people. I suspect the rest of that class has a different perspective than my sisters group.

To claim "jealousy" because someone doesn't like someone or something is juvenile. Do you like everyone and every group of people except the ones that wouldn't let you in? Really?

I don't think it is the only reason, but I do think it exists. Just like the boys who say football players are all stupid because they didn't make the team. There are definitely other factors at play with cheer hate, a large one being ignorance of what cheer really is.

 

[Granny square]

Ok. I misunderstood your answer then. It seemed you said it was the reason.

All groups get a piece of that. I just don't think that the people in individual groups are all sweetness and good and the big mean world hates in 'em.

I have known jerks in all walks of life who thought their talent made them so special their's didn't stink. And the attitudes we are exposed to make our opinions. No one here arguing any sides come without baggage. My opinion anhway

 

[Lorelei Lee]

I don't think it is the only reason, but I do think it exists. Just like the boys who say football players are all stupid because they didn't make the team. There are definitely other factors at play with cheer hate, a large one being ignorance of what cheer really is.

Exactly.

There was a boy in my dd's high school class, he's now a professional basketball player in the NBA. A lot of the kids loved him, because he was instrumental in our team's winning seasons. Some of the boys, the wannabes, had a lot of nasty stuff to say about him. You could tell it was jealousy when they called him stupid.

Now when my daughter, who didn't give a fig about basketball, said this guy was "not academically gifted", well, that was certainly not jealousy.

I just hope he's got a good advisor to help him with the oodles of money he's going to make in the NBA.

 

[Granny square]

Exactly.

There was a boy in my dd's high school class, he's now a professional basketball player in the NBA. A lot of the kids loved him, because he was instrumental in our team's winning seasons. Some of the boys, the wannabes, had a lot of nasty stuff to say about him. You could tell it was jealousy when they called him stupid.

Now when my daughter, who didn't give a fig about basketball, said this guy was "not academically gifted", well, that was certainly not jealousy.

I just hope he's got a good advisor to help him with the oodles of money he's going to make in the NBA.

So because your daughter used different terms to say the same thing they jealous jerks and she is sweet girl?

They all said the same thing.

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't think it is the only reason, but I do think it exists. Just like the boys who say football players are all stupid because they didn't make the team. There are definitely other factors at play with cheer hate, a large one being ignorance of what cheer really is.

I'll agree with you, but isn't generalizing those who were "anti-cheerleader" in this case as "cheer haters" just as bad as generalizing cheerleaders as "rah rah's"?

I'm not saying you did that, but it did happen on this thread, just as others disparaged cheerleaders.