Cheerleading and Gender

How does society view male cheerleaders?

The typical view of a male cheerleader is that they are homosexual and that they do not have "normal masculine qualities". Society looks down upon them because when we think of male athletes, we think of a strong, buff jock. The hegemonic man believes that he has to prove his masculinity by behaving in a way that society deems masculine, whereas male cheerleaders push that stereotype.

How are female cheerleaders depicted?

Female cheerleaders are depicted as highly sexualized beings based on their appearance in short skirts and tight tops. They are not looked at for their athletic abilities but rather, their first impressions of their appearance.

If cheerleading originated as a man's activity, why does society have strong opinions about categorizing male cheerleaders?

At a young age, we are all taught that there are certain characteristics that make a woman a woman and a man a man. When people push the general norms of what makes up a man and a woman, that is when society begins to stereotype and label individuals.

Stereotypes

When you hear the word "cheerleaders" what characteristics come to mind? I bet a few are: ditzy, petite girls who flirt with jocks and who think that the world revolves around them. Well, you're wrong! Most people who stereotype individuals or place them into "categories" are ignorant and they seem to have an urge to label people.

Cheerleaders are athletes who "work out, they lift weights, they sweat, they get injured, they practice and they perform.(Ninemire, "Stop the Stereotyping of Cheerleaders")." Cheerleaders "stick together" most of the time because they practice and perform with each other on a daily basis. They practice together after school, attend games as a team and participate in fundraising/booster events as a team. How is a cheerleading squad any different from a football team? Athletes share a special love for their sport and develop bonds/friendships with the members on their teams. People shouldn't judge or categorize people if they don't know them and it is important to break these molds.

In order to prevent further stereotyping educating individuals may be the first step. People underestimate the abilities of cheerleaders and it is important to show others what they may be passionate about. Many people don't know, but you have to maintain a certain GPA in order to be kept on the squad. It may take time for people to fully understand the world of cheerleading but a lot has changed since the beginning of the cheerleading world. 

College Cheerleaders and Eating Disorders

Cheerleaders are often photographed and pictured on the television screen. You know what they say "The camera adds 10 pounds." Cheerleaders, especially college aged, feel pressure to look "picture perfect" while performing in front of thousands of people.

When auditions are taking place for recruiting cheerleaders, many coaches focus on appearance first and then dance/athletic ability. When they don't meet the "appropriate standards" of their coaches their self-esteem and body image begin to crash. Along with individuals pressuring them to fit the "cookie cutter image" many midriff, bearing uniforms are contributing to how cheerleaders view their bodies. "The cheerleaders who are required to wear a uniform that revealed a midriff are most disposed to having problems with body image.("Collge Cheerleaders at risk for Eating Disorders", 2010)." If you were wearing revealing outfits, wouldn't you feel self conscious about your body too? Many cheerleaders may not have rock solid abs, and to put your stomach on display can affect you mentally and physically.

Athletes who participate in aesthetic sports, such as cheerleading, are at a higher risk for eating disorders compared to participants of non-aesthetic sports. More women are diagnosed with having eating disorders compared to men. This puts cheerleaders at a greater risk for eating disorders because cheerleading is predominantly a female sport.

People are always going to feel pressured on how they look and compare themselves with other individuals. It is important to accept everyone for who they are and to accept all body types. By making cheerleading uniforms less revealing female cheerleaders may become less concious about their bodies.

For more information go to
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xh8zke_cheerleaders-and-eating-disorders_news

Sources:

 Boyce, R. (n.d.). Cheerleading in the context of title ix and

         gendering in sport. Retrieved from http://www.thesportjournal.org/article/cheerleading-context-title-ix-and-gendering-sport

Cheerleading and gender/sexuality. (2009, October 15). Retrieved from
        http://www.sexandgender.net/2009/10/15/cheerleading-and-gendersexuality/


 College cheerleading coach agrees: It’s ‘not a sport’ … yet. (2010, July 27). Retrieved from
        http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2010/07/college-cheerleading-coach-agrees-its-not-a-sport-yet/

College cheerleaders at risk for eating disorders.(2010, June 14). Retrieved from
        http://www.eating-disorder-resources.com/eating-disorder-articles/research-news/college-cheerleaders-at-risk-for-eating-disorders/

 Easterbrook, G. (2010, July 27). No 'cheers' for latest title ix decision. Retrieved from
        http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=easterbrook/100727

Epstein, R. (2010, July 26). The twisted logic of gender equity.
        Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/26/cheerleading-gender-equality-legal-opinions-columnists-richard-a-epstein.html

 History of cheerleading. (2009). Retrieved from
        http://cheerunion.org/

History of cheerleading. (2012). Retrieved from
        http://cheerleading.isport.com/cheerleading-guides/history-of-cheerleading

 Kingsbury, K. (2008, August 18). Cheerleading's risky lack of rules. Retrieved from
        http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1833715,00.html

 Macedo, D. (2010, July 22). Judges ruling sparks national debate over cheerleading: Sport or no
        sport?. Retrieved from Judges Ruling Sparks National Debate Over Cheerleading: Sport or No         Sport?Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/22/judges-ruling-sparks-national-
        debate  - chearleading-sport-sport/

 Ninemire, V. (2012). Is cheerleading really a sport?. Retrieved from  
           http://cheerleading.about.com/od/skillsandabilities/a/031002a.html

Ninemire, V. (n.d.). Stop the stereotyping of cheerleaders. retrieved from
          http://cheerleading.about.com/od/malecheerleaders/a/032302a.htm
 

 Varner, K. (2011, February 5). Forget the old stereotypes,

         cheerleading today is a sport. Retrieved from          http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2011/02/forget_the_old_stereotypes_che.html

University of Kentucky: College Cheerleading Nationals 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAO_k19hD1k&feature=relmfu

Television and Film cheerleaders

The Middle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyyTOEvTXBo


Bring it On
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP6mF9YffvQ

THIS IS JEOPARDY!

jeopardylabs.com/play/cheerleading-trivia

Cheerleading and Title IX

What is Title IX?

Title IX of the 1972 law says, "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." (Easterbrook, 2010)

What defines a sport?

"A physical activity which involves propelling a mass through space or overcoming the resistance of a mass
     A contest or competition against or with an opponent

Is governed by rules which explicitly define the time, space and purpose of the contest and the conditions under which a winner is declared

The acknowledged primary purpose of the competition is a comparison of the relative skills of the participants" (Ninemire, 2012

Why do people not consider cheerleading a sport?

People do not consider cheerleading a sport based on the fact that they do not compete on a regular basis compared to other sports such as football, baseball, basketball etc. Also, people underestimate the amount of time and effort that has to be put into cheerleading, such as physical activity and memorization.

How does Title IX affect cheerleaders?

Title IX affects cheerleaders on the basis of discrimination because it does not place them in the same category, or on the same level, as other athletes.

What is the relationship between Title IX and gender?

"Title IX would seem to encourage, not discourage, mixed-sex teams for tennis, skiing, bowling, and even discus throwing, with men and women competing against each other. Title IX's language separating male from female within the realm of contact sports perpetuates the male model of sport more than it promotes the equality of men and women." (Boyce)

History of Cheerleading Timeline

~ Late 1880's: Organized Cheerleading started.
~ 1884: First official cheer performed at Princeton University
~ November 2, 1898: Johnny Campbell was the first official cheerleader from the University of Minnesota.
~1903-1923: Men dominated the "Yell Squad" and cheerleading was seen as a mans sport
~1923-1940's: Women began to join cheerleading squads due to men's departure to war. (WWII) At this time they began to incorporate props to cheers such as pom-poms and the megaphone.
~1948: Expansion of cheerleading which included Cheer Camps and Clinics introduced by Lawrence "Herkie" Herkimer.
~1950: Start of High School Cheerleading
~1967: Emergence of Pop Warner cheerleaders at Pee Wee football games.
(Pop Warner = Allowed children to cheer who did not have school affiliation)
First ranked competitions start including "Top Ten Cheerleading Squads" and "Cheerleading All America"
~1972: Title IX passed
First professional cheerleading squads established
~Mid 1970's: Cheerleading transformed from just leading the crowd to a group of athletes with routines and perfected skills
~1976: First official stunt performed was called a "Liberty"
~1980: All-Star teams began
~1987: All-Star division was created. It gave different rules to High School teams compared to All-Star teams.
~Late 1990's: ESPN declares cheerleading a sport, but it was first televised in the late 1970's