inspired by my ex husband -- are cheerleaders "snobs"?

[iluvorlando]

Gosh BR, I think you should move this over to the debate board!

I wasn't a cheerleader nor was I in their "clique", but in general most were nice and all were outgoingly friendly (approachable).

Congrats to your DD, what a great accomplishment!!

 

[JAP]

Not that I really want to debate with cardaway but he/she did say:

Originally posted by cardaway
Yes, as a rule they are snobby or seen as snobby. It doesn't become a cliche without some amount of truth.

As a rule I do not judge a person because they were a cheerleader in high school and/or college. If your post was intended to say that the cliche about cheerleaders is they are snobby then that point needs to be clarified by you.

Basically what I got from cardaway's post is that he/she thinks that as a rule cheerleaders are snobby simply because they are a cheerleader.

I assume cardaway is not trying to insult any cheerleaders on this board but it would help if the original post was clarified.

 

[SonjaB]

I wasn't a Cheerleader, but I was on the Dance/Drill team and a lot of my friends were cheerleaders. Just like in life, some of the girls on the squad had attitude problems, most didn't. Congratulations to your DD, she should be very proud of her accomplishment and I hope she has as much fun cheering and leaping as I had cheering and dancing.

Just out of curiosity, did all 900 kids try out for cheerleader? (Just teasing you a little, LOL )

 

[Disney Doll]

From what I can recall in HS (and it was quite a few years ago ), some of the cheerleaders were snobs and some weren't. But the same could be said of the football players,basketball palyers, baseball players,stars of the school play etc...some thought they were God's gift to the world, and some were normal nice people.

I'd say overall that athletic/gymnastic ability plays a large role in choosing who will be on the cheerleading squad, but I do think that the folks who choose the cheerleading squad go for a certain "look" or "image" that they wish to present about their school. Realistically, the girl with purple hair, 85 tatoos, and a safety pin through her nose could be as talented gymnastically as Mary Lou Retton, and she's not going to get chosen, since that's not the image the school wants to portray.

If you're worried, keep an eye on your daughter, and watch closely for the "snob factor" to rear it's ugly head, so you can nip it in the bud. It sounds like you won't have a problem with her,however, because she sounds like a lovely young lady.

 

[minnieandmickey]

At my high school they were, that's only because the school voted for the cheerleaders, so it was a popularity contest. I always wanted to be a cheerleader but knew I didn't have a chance so I joined the pagentry unit with the band, and its a good thing because that's where I met my husband!

 

[Jeff in BigD]

Some are, some aren't. Just like you'll find in pretty much any group in school.

I think there's some that would be snobbish even if they weren't a cheerleader, but it's probably even more magnified since being one seems to give them a sense of even greater importance.

I think there's some that are really sweet & are just a victim of generalizations, I'm sure most are perpetuated by other jealous girls.

And I think there's some that would ordinarially be pretty nice, but get caught up in the group or the title & it effects their ego.


I had friends that were cheerleaders & on the drill team. Most were pretty nice, but some were real snots.

 

[cardaway]

As a rule I do not judge a person because they were a cheerleader in high school and/or college. If your post was intended to say that the cliche about cheerleaders is they are snobby then that point needs to be clarified by you.

I don't think I need to clarify. I believe one of the cliches about cheerleaders is that they are snobs. Are you telling me there isn't? I actually think there are worse cliches about them, but those can't be discussed here.

Basically what I got from cardaway's post is that he/she thinks that as a rule cheerleaders are snobby simply because they are a cheerleader.

They were snobby before they were cheerleaders, and once again I never said ALL cheerleaders are snobby. I didn't make the cliche I referred to on my own. Just look at the other posts on this thread that say that at least some of the cheerleaders people knew were snobs.

I assume cardaway is not trying to insult any cheerleaders on this board but it would help if the original post was clarified.

I didn't name anybody on this board as being snobby, maybe you should clarify what you are trying to say.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

Originally posted by Jeff in BigD
Some are, some aren't. Just like you'll find in pretty much any group in school.

I think there's some that would be snobbish even if they weren't a cheerleader, but it's probably even more magnified since being one seems to give them a sense of even greater importance.

I think there's some that are really sweet & are just a victim of generalizations, I'm sure most are perpetuated by other jealous girls.

And I think there's some that would ordinarially be pretty nice, but get caught up in the group or the title & it effects their ego.


I had friends that were cheerleaders & on the drill team. Most were pretty nice, but some were real snots.

I think I tend to agree with you. the perception is that they're snobby. and that's not helped by movies like "Bring It On". or girls who do have an attitude problem.

my dd is well grounded, and I aim to keep it that way.

 

[Nikki_Nikki]

I forgot to congratulate your dd on making the squad! That's quite an accomplishment and something to be VERY proud of!!!

 

[JohnMouse]

In The Princess Diaries, "Lana" the cheerleader is sorta snobbish...at least Mia thinks so. Of course Mia resents that Lana is snobbish and shoves an ice cream cone into the latter's cheerleader outfit.

 

[Buckalew]

I think some are and some aren't. Just like in any group.

pollyanna does give me an idea though. If highlights and makeup are so important to making the squad, maybe I should run an ad in the paper for "cheerleading specials". LOL

"Do you want your DD to be in the "in crowd? 10% off for those trying out and 20% off in you make the team!!"

Gosh, all the moms (no dads ) will be bringing their DDs in. Should I guarentee them a spot on the squad with their highlights?

I'm kidding. Congrats to your DD, BR. I am sure she'll do fine and make you proud. Your ex is still a jerk. Oh and BTW, I didn't read your initial post the way Jipsy did. I read it like out of 900 girls, they only picked 24 and she was one of them. Wow! I think that is pretty good!!

Oh, I must say, I have a "pre-natal" agreement with DD that she won't be a cheerleader. Of course, I'd support her if that is what she wanted to do but I'm keeping my fingers crossed...
But, I think it is great for any girl who wants to do it. Trying out for anything is really hard because you just might not make it. I'm glad she did.

 

[Sharon A.]

My "problem" with cheerleading isn't that the kids are snobby (although that is the stereotype). I always thought it was a waste of time to be on a club where the main goal is to cheer for someone else to participate instead of just joining that sport yourself. Why work long hours to cheer on a team with little routines instead of just playing something yourself?

I still think cheerleading is a bit lame (as in Lettergirls who pretty much just jump around and kick while yelling "go team"), but some of the Song Teams are very athletic and have actual competitions. Then, I think it becomes more of a "sport" like gymnastics or dance.

But that's just my opinion and is heavily colored by the fact that I always played sports. I just don't see the value in it.

 

[aahmom1]

As a rule I do not judge a person because they were a cheerleader in high school and/or college. If your post was intended to say that the cliche about cheerleaders is they are snobby then that point needs to be clarified by you.]


Basically what I got from cardaway's post is that he/she thinks that as a rule cheerleaders are snobby simply because they are a cheerleader.

I really don't think anybody (except my SIL) goes around asking people if they were cheerleaders in high school. I don't really think anybody cares. Usually it's other teenagers who think they are snobs and a lot of the time rightfully so.

What I got from Cardaway's post was that there is a chiche that cheerleaders are snobs, that's not an accident, it's not unheard of. There must be an ounce of truth to it, if the stereotype has been around since we were all in high school, I'm assuming we are all past high school age. I haven't heard any 'cheerleaders are all sweet down to Earth girls' cliches, there's a reason for that.

For the record my step-daughter is a varsity cheerleader. I haven't a clue if she's a snob at school, I certainly hope not. I will say until recently she couldn't do a lick of gymnastics, she never took any gymnastics classes or dance classes.

 

[Wagamama]

in my high school, all the cheerleaders were snobs. But I have friends who are cheerleader and went to other schools who are the most down to earth people I know. It depends on the school and the clique that the cheerleaders are a part of.

 

[WillyJ]

Just a reminder. . although I couldn't care less if you guys want to pound on each other , the owner of the boards has requested that any "business" from other sites not be carried over to here. . .

I'm not seeing anything too egregious yet, but please don't let it go much further. . . thanks!

 

[JAP]

"business" from other sites not be carried over to here

cardaway your response to my post actually clarified what I thought you were trying to say. It just appeared to me that you were saying that you felt ALL cheerleaders were snobs. Obviously you do not feel that way.

You are right about the old cliches and it is unfortunate. It is sad that some the schools still help perpetuate the image. However, I am also glad cheerleading has turned into more of a sport with all the gymnastics and dance that are involved.

 

[jrmasm]

Sharon A. you summed up my feelings on the subject perfectly!

 

[maleficent1959]

In my high school, most (not all) of the cheerleaders were snobby, beautiful and came from wealthy families. Of course, they were snobby, beautiful and from wealthy families before they were cheerleaders... I haven't a clue what they're like now.

 

[ChiTownZee]

I think the chance a cheerleader is a snob is about equal to the chance you or I are snobs. Some people are, some aren't. I do think cheerleaders tend to be pretty, fit, succesful at school, and I think there's a stereo type for people with these characteristics as being snobs.

Better question, are all ex-husbands a-holes with silly opinions???

 

[tedsmom]

Some are, some aren't. Keep an eye on your kid and don't let her be one of the ones who is.