Do other parents really complain?

[lizzi6692]

You mean that's a real thing, wearing a cheer uniform all day at school? I thought that was just a some kind of joke on Glee. Are they expecting a football game to break out in the halls between classes and they have to be ready to cheer at a moment's notice?

They should be wearing regular school clothes during the day and changing into the uniforms at game time, just like the players.

Actually at my high school the players did wear their uniforms on game days, just minus the pads.

 

[sam_gordon]

Actually at my high school the players did wear their uniforms on game days, just minus the pads.

They wore their pants too? At my HS, players & cheerleaders would wear the tops and "normal" pants/shorts. It still shows school spirit, it still indicates there's a game that night.

Speaking as a former teenage boy... yes, the skirt in the picture above would be a distraction during school. It doesn't take much skin showing to distract a teenage boy.

 

[Jedana]

They wore their pants too? At my HS, players & cheerleaders would wear the tops and "normal" pants/shorts. It still shows school spirit, it still indicates there's a game that night.

Speaking as a former teenage boy... yes, the skirt in the picture above would be a distraction during school. It doesn't take much skin showing to distract a teenage boy.

According to DH, there doesn't even need to be skin to distract a teenage boy.

At my HS, the cheerleaders wore their uniforms, players wore their jerseys. At both the girls' schools, same thing. DD 1 wore her jersey for volleyball and softball on game days. DD2 did not wear her color guard uniform until game time, but it was a velvet type material, long pants, sleeveless top and we live in FL--way too hot for that outfit...but that is what was in the band closet, so that's what they wore.

 

[mamacatnv]

OP Here - Couple of my thoughts as I was reading all of your comments. I would also like to add, this was an article I read. I am not a cheer parent and do not have some sort of ax to grind over the issue.

Why do all things have to be equal to all students all the time?

Why is it wrong for the cheerleaders to stand out on game days in their uniforms?

Cheerleaders are not swimmers or gymnast who perform against other schools, cheerleaders are tasked with school spirit etc. I looked at my yearbook from 1980-84 last night from a N. Calif high school. Our girls wore very similar outfits including the short fitted skirts. The pom-pom girls wore equally short but ruffled skirts and they had two tops, one for indoors (basketball) and one for outdoors (football).

Why should the school dress code apply to cheerleaders uniforms?
I have not yet read a reasonable argument to support this question. What I have read is that because Suzy can't wear her booty shorts then the cheerleaders should not be allowed to wear their uniforms that as I said previously, provide all the proper undergarment coverings etc that Suzy's booty shorts do not.

What I really think is that some parent got their panties in a twist and made an issue out of this and the school caved. That is what I really think.
It has nothing to do with the uniform, it has to do with one child (cheerleader) was allowed to stand out over another child, (oh heaven forbid ) in a uniform that someone made a point to mention did not meet the standard dress code for the every day attendance of the general population.

 

[ceemys]

Well, when I went to school, they wore the uniforms. HOWEVER, the cheerleaders uniforms were not as showy as they are now. The uniforms now show the girls rearends and the tops are low cut to show cleavage and cropped to high to show the stomach. I think the uniforms for the girls sports are getting disgraceful and too skimpy.

 

[mamacatnv]

I didn't read any responses but I will say that as a high school teacher, our cheerleading uniforms violate dress code. Too short. It creates a double standard.

It's a uniform, its not free dress. What is wrong with a double standard for cheerleaders?

I agree. The cheerleaders' tops are okay for school (except for that one-shouldered uniform that they don't wear all that often 'cause it is really ugly), but the problem is the skirts. Yes, they have built-in shorts under them, but they're short-shorts -- they cover about the same amount of skin as Soffie shorts or tight running shorts. Our dress code requires shorts be as long as the wearer's fingertips, and the cheerleaders' skirts don't even come close.

I do agree that cheerleaders, who are representing the school, should meet dress code in and out of school . . . but that isn't in keeping with today's styles. I was actually a bit shocked when I looked at my old yearbook some time back and saw just how much the cheerleaders' skirts have changed since the 80s. I thought the skirts were fashionably short then, but looking back at the pictures, I see that they were easily twice as long as they are now -- above the knee, but not skimpy-skimpy; also, they were more flow-y -- that is, they were not tight-skirts like they are now.

Calling today's cheerleading outfits "vulgar" or "disgusting" is going way too far. They're on par with other athletic outfits, but that doesn't mean they're appropriate to wear to math class. And THIS is where the parental complaints come in! When a parent's been called in to leave work and pick up her daughter because her skirt is too short, but she sees the cheerleaders walking the halls in a similar-length skirt . . . well, that parent does have a leg to stand upon.


Yes, this is typical of what I see at high school games, and as a high school teacher I see uniforms from many schools. Competition cheer outfits, however, show more skin. Those outfits'll shock you.

Kids know the dress code, if a parent is called because a skirt is too short its the kid's fault and IMO the same standard does not have to apply to a cheer uniform that cannot be worn any day of the week whenever they feel like it. Cheer uniform days are scheduled etc. I don't know of any school where a cheer uniform can be worn whenever the cheerleader happens to want to.

But why should they be allowed to wear skirts that are CLEARLY against any dress code but the kid that comes in to school not on a team with a short skirt gets sent home? If EVERY kid can't wear indecent skirts to school then no kid should be able to.

Because they are cheerleaders. They tried out and made the team, they are tasked with a job on campus, they are school spirit boosters and they have a uniform that goes with the position. The same cannot be said for the things the general population pulls out of their closet and wears to school.

You mean that's a real thing, wearing a cheer uniform all day at school? I thought that was just a some kind of joke on Glee. Are they expecting a football game to break out in the halls between classes and they have to be ready to cheer at a moment's notice?

They should be wearing regular school clothes during the day and changing into the uniforms at game time, just like the players.

From 6th grade on when I went to school in the 70's and 80's as well as when my DS went to middle/high school, cheerleaders wore their uniforms on game days and no one thought anything of it.

Its always been normal for me while I was growing up. Track team, cheerleaders, dance, lacrosse, tennis, football players wore jerseys, soccer players had the whole uniform on. It was considered school pride.

Same here, school spirit, pride in the participation etc

 

[PrincessKsMom]

OP Here - Couple of my thoughts as I was reading all of your comments. I would also like to add, this was an article I read. I am not a cheer parent and do not have some sort of ax to grind over the issue.

Why do all things have to be equal to all students all the time?
Why is it wrong for the cheerleaders to stand out on game days in their uniforms?

Cheerleaders are not swimmers or gymnast who perform against other schools, cheerleaders are tasked with school spirit etc. I looked at my yearbook from 1980-84 last night from a N. Calif high school. Our girls wore very similar outfits including the short fitted skirts. The pom-pom girls wore equally short but ruffled skirts and they had two tops, one for indoors (basketball) and one for outdoors (football).

Why should the school dress code apply to cheerleaders uniforms?
I have not yet read a reasonable argument to support this question. What I have read is that because Suzy can't wear her booty shorts then the cheerleaders should not be allowed to wear their uniforms that as I said previously, provide all the proper undergarment coverings etc that Suzy's booty shorts do not.

What I really think is that some parent got their panties in a twist and made an issue out of this and the school caved. That is what I really think.
It has nothing to do with the uniform, it has to do with one child (cheerleader) was allowed to stand out over another child, (oh heaven forbid ) in a uniform that someone made a point to mention did not meet the standard dress code for the every day attendance of the general population.

Quick response: yes, cheerleaders do go to competitions against other schools. And while they may be charged with school spirit (cause everyone goes to the games because a cheerleader encouraged them too ), so is the band and the color guard. Should the band and color guard march around in their uniforms as well? Isn't it their duty to get the crowd pumped and into the game as well? And, of course, since the shako is also part of the band uniform, they should wear that as well? And if the cheerleaders are charged with school spirit and are above the dress code, shouldn't they wear their uniforms every day? After all is school spirit only tied to baskeball and football?

 

[Lorelei Lee]

Well, when I went to school, they wore the uniforms. HOWEVER, the cheerleaders uniforms were not as showy as they are now. The uniforms now show the girls rearends and the tops are low cut to show cleavage and cropped to high to show the stomach. I think the uniforms for the girls sports are getting disgraceful and too skimpy.

The uniform you just described would not be allowed at the competitions that my daughter's team participates in. No bare midriffs allowed.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

Quick response: yes, cheerleaders do go to competitions against other schools. And while they may be charged with school spirit (cause everyone goes to the games because a cheerleader encouraged them too ), so is the band and the color guard. Should the band and color guard march around in their uniforms as well? Isn't it their duty to get the crowd pumped and into the game as well? And, of course, since the shako is also part of the band uniform, they should wear that as well? And if the cheerleaders are charged with school spirit and are above the dress code, shouldn't they wear their uniforms every day? After all is school spirit only tied to baskeball and football?

The easy solution to this. Cheerleaders, colir guard, dance team -- wear your warm up suit. You look like you're part of a tean, you promote school spirit, you stand out in the crowd and you comply with the dress code.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Appropriate? Not appropriate ? The part of the article that most stood out to me:

" In the meantime, the parents of cheerleaders who looked forward to the tradition of wearing uniforms on game days are distraught that their children are being cheated out of a practice they feel is an integral part of the cheerleading experience."

Distraught ? Really ? What earth shattering problems

 

[PrincessKsMom]

The easy solution to this. Cheerleaders, colir guard, dance team -- wear your warm up suit. You look like you're part of a tean, you promote school spirit, you stand out in the crowd and you comply with the dress code.

Would be logical and I'd be fine with that but our school band and color guard doesn't have warm up suits. And something tells me that even though the cheerleaders do, it would leave them "distraught".

 

[FireDancer]

Appropriate? Not appropriate ? The part of the article that most stood out to me:

" In the meantime, the parents of cheerleaders who looked forward to the tradition of wearing uniforms on game days are distraught that their children are being cheated out of a practice they feel is an integral part of the cheerleading experience."

Distraught ? Really ? What earth shattering problems

Exactly. This is one of those things in life that even if you disagree with the rule you shrug your shoulders and say oh well, too bad and the move on. Making a stink because of it just makes you sound petty. It is really a non-issue in the grand scheme of life.

 

[soccerdad72]

Its always been normal for me while I was growing up. Track team, cheerleaders, dance, lacrosse, tennis, football players wore jerseys, soccer players had the whole uniform on. It was considered school pride.

(bolding added by me) -- That's what I would assume, it's a school pride thing.

Football (and, by extension, cheerleading) around here (Ohio) is the biggest school spirit thing. AFAIK, schools all have their football players and cheerleaders wear their uniforms (jerseys only for football player, obviously) on Fridays of game days.

I suppose it's harder to do for some sports than others, but most sports have a warm-up outfit (like swimming) that can often be worn instead of the uniform.

 

[Colleen27]

The easy solution to this. Cheerleaders, colir guard, dance team -- wear your warm up suit. You look like you're part of a tean, you promote school spirit, you stand out in the crowd and you comply with the dress code.

Exactly. I was in band, color guard/winter guard, and swim. Somehow all those activities managed a game day "uniform" without wearing our actual performance/competition uniforms to class. In band, it was our parade/casual polos, which were embroidered with the school logo. For guard and swim it was team warm ups.

Appropriate? Not appropriate ? The part of the article that most stood out to me:

" In the meantime, the parents of cheerleaders who looked forward to the tradition of wearing uniforms on game days are distraught that their children are being cheated out of a practice they feel is an integral part of the cheerleading experience."

Distraught ? Really ? What earth shattering problems

Wearing a mini-skirt to school is "an integral part of the cheerleading experience"? "Distraught"? Someone needs a little dose of perspective.

 

[luvsJack]

Oh for pity sakes! Cheerleaders have been wearing their uniforms to school on game day around here ever since there have been game days. Its part of being a cheerleader.

Every sports team, activity group, or whatever has something they wear on their game day, competition or performance day or event day. It makes others aware of whatever the activity is doing and is part of the whole school spirit thing.

Why do so many have to make such a fuss about such stupid stuff???

 

[CPT Tripss]

Would be logical and I'd be fine with that but our school band and color guard doesn't have warm up suits. And something tells me that even though the cheerleaders do, it would leave them "distraught".

Somehow, I suspect that the uni for those two activities comports with the dress code, the track and basketball teams

Exactly. This is one of those things in life that even if you disagree with the rule you shrug your shoulders and say oh well, too bad and the move on. Making a stink because of it just makes you sound petty. It is really a non-issue in the grand scheme of life.

Everything in school is an issue to the Rah-rahs . . .

 

[Wishing on a star]

OP Here - Couple of my thoughts as I was reading all of your comments. I would also like to add, this was an article I read. I am not a cheer parent and do not have some sort of ax to grind over the issue.

Why do all things have to be equal to all students all the time?

Why is it wrong for the cheerleaders to stand out on game days in their uniforms?

Cheerleaders are not swimmers or gymnast who perform against other schools, cheerleaders are tasked with school spirit etc. I looked at my yearbook from 1980-84 last night from a N. Calif high school. Our girls wore very similar outfits including the short fitted skirts. The pom-pom girls wore equally short but ruffled skirts and they had two tops, one for indoors (basketball) and one for outdoors (football).

Why should the school dress code apply to cheerleaders uniforms?
I have not yet read a reasonable argument to support this question. What I have read is that because Suzy can't wear her booty shorts then the cheerleaders should not be allowed to wear their uniforms that as I said previously, provide all the proper undergarment coverings etc that Suzy's booty shorts do not.

What I really think is that some parent got their panties in a twist and made an issue out of this and the school caved. That is what I really think.
It has nothing to do with the uniform, it has to do with one child (cheerleader) was allowed to stand out over another child, (oh heaven forbid ) in a uniform that someone made a point to mention did not meet the standard dress code for the every day attendance of the general population.

Well, I am sorry that you do not feel that you see a satisfactory answer here. But, IMHO, it is really very simple and obvious.

Dress for teen girls is a huge issue in probably every high school.
It just is.
No question.
If you ain't seeing that... then.

Dress codes exist for a reason.
For a GOOD reason.

At the local high school, from what I hear, the Asst. Principal will actually carry a measure to measure skirt length, shoulder strap width, etc...

I am going to risk offending the parents of any cheerleader parents here.... And, so I will start by saying, if this truly does not apply to you, then
(knowing I will probably get flamed even after this disclaimer)

But, knowing my impression of many cheerleaders... They will only welcome the opportunity to wear a skimpy outfit and milk it for all it is worth.
(Just noting how many "HATE GOING TO DISNEY WHEN THE CHEER GROUPS ARE THERE") comments I have read here on the DIS.

I really see no reason why basic dress code policy guidelines should be not apply, to EVERYONE.

And, to be honest, IMHO, the cheerleader and the cheer mom in that video, just did not come off well at all.... There was the mom... the spitting image of what we now refer to as a 'pageant mom'... and very entitled.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Somehow, I suspect that the uni for those two activities comports with the dress code, the track and basketball teams



Everything in school is an issue to the Rah-rahs . . .

My point being you never see the band and guard wearing uniforms in school. Somehow people think cheerleaders have a lock in school spirit and that they are somehow better than everyone else and above the rules because they have a special place in school society

 

[Wishing on a star]

They could easily wear some kind of athletic school T-shirt, Pull their hair up in school colored stuff... matching little pants, or dress code appropriate shorts... the shoes and socks they usually cheer in, etc...

Why isn't that good enough?????

Ohhhh, wait, I think I just answered my own question!!!!

 

[luvsJack]

If there is going to be such a stink made about the uniform at school, why allow it at the games?

Our hs has a pep rally every game day and they wear the uniform to cheer at the pep rally so no matter what it will still be worn during the school day. I am guessing the school in the OP probably does this too.

My child is not a cheerleader so I am not coming from that perspective.

If a parent with a daughter who is not a cheerleader cannot see the difference between dress code and wearing a uniform then it seems to me they are the ones with the issue not the cheerleader. Just like there will be days our choir kids will wear jeans and a choir t-shirt while everyone else is wearing their school uniforms--its just part of being in choir.

Also, it is hardly fair to say that all of the girls are just looking for an excuse to wear something skimpy. That is painting with a very wide brush and is a stereotype of cheerleaders. Those uniforms cover more than most seem to think. The skirt is short but no matter how much it flips up nothing is going to show. A LOT less is shown in those uniforms than a girl shows in shorts and a t-shirt.