I think it takes a lot of strength, stamia, skill, and athletic ability to do what cheerleaders do.

There's two types of cheerleading. There's the real kind, the kind that have gymnastics and hurls complete. That's a sport, and its damn hard. The other type is the fake "rah-rah yeah-yeah" wave your pompoms and smile. I assume you're talking about the former, it's definitely empowering.

^ I was definately refering to the former. :)

I made this pick because a lot of people were saying cheerleading is sexist, because of the suggestive costumes they sport during performances, but i don't think they are purposely vulgar.
I reckon it's because it would be extremely difficult to do all the crazy stunts they do in a long skirt.

Its pretty much the seamen as gymnastics or dance, except with sports in the background.

I could never be a cheerleader, I can't even summersault! So girls who cheerlead, hats off to you!!! You are much stronger then I!

However, the whole cattiness that surrounds cheerleading can be a living hell for girls in highschool, where you are only valued if you are willing to wear short skirts and play kissing games at the popular people's parties.
My point is, is that Cheerleading is positive if it is treated as a sport and as the key to popularity and hot boyfriends.

Oh I meant NOT the key to popularity and hot boyfriends. NOT.

Personally

^ For what reasons?

I think girls who are into cheerleading are great, it takes a lot of athletic ability to do what they do, But the idea of women on the sidelines cheering the men who do the important stuff is a little problematic for me. The message is that men are central and what they do has much more value and importance, while women are just the eye candy, their only purpose is to cheer men on in the sidelines, kind of like what we're expected to do in life.

^ Good point, it is true that there is a lack of women's sports being televised or otherwise.
As a athlete, i totally understand your concern. Women get such little coverage on women's sports, and are paid so much less for them. It's also a big issue how little women's sports are shown on TV.
If i wanted to watch the women's baseball i might get to see a repeat some time at 2: 00 am (which i wouldn't stay up for), if i wanted to watch the men's baseball...Well, there's no escaping it. :P

Would you feel the same way about a cheerleading team cheering on a female sqaud?

cheerleading is a great way to get fit and active combining gymnastics and raising your voice. but if the uniforms were a bit less revealing . it would be much better

^justgrac-well, if you're cheerleading, you can't wear long prairie skirts or you'll fall and break your neck. Cheerleading, to me, is no more sexist then gymnastics or figure skating.
^pandawinx- I think that cheering for someone else, male or female, is not the greatest thing, but I don't consider it particularly harmful.

I agree with SelinaKyle.

As an activity it can be a great hobby for girls. It's a good way to keep fit and show off your talents! To me, the negative side of cheerleading is the way in which cheerleaders are portrayed in media. Stereotypically they are often snobby, stuck-up and conceited, whereas in real life it is all about athletic ability, choreography and a group of performers working as a team. The kind of cheerleading shown in a lot of media (not always, but I've seen it many a time) is the type that ilovebilliejoe mentioned earlier - the fake cheerleading that doesn't require talent and hard work. I think I've seen the fake cheerleading appear in media more than the type that requires hardcore athletic ability.

So overall, I'd say it's both positive and negative. Mostly positive, because the negative part is based on assumptions in society caused by media rather than being based on real life. Positive when you have a group of people who are smart enough not to fall for these assumptions, and obviously positive when girls do it as a sport and a hobby, which will make them feel good and they will enjoy it.

What's wrong about dancing, waving pompons and smiling? All cheerleaders I know are fun people, they love what they do and they don't it for boys, they do it for their own enjoyment.

I completely agree with glelsey - what really is wrong is the way cheerleading is depicted in the media. Stereotypes, duh.

THEY HAVE TO GO TO EVERY SPORTING EVENT. THEY CAN"T GET ALOMG.

yea. so fucking sexist

Don't you see the cheerleaders on the football games? They wear objectifying outfits, but most importantly, while the males are the heroes in the game, the females are just there to cheer them on. One of the reasons I don't like football. I much prefer soccer.

^ I agree with you 100%!