Cheerleading

One of my very best friends was a cheerleader in high school and is one of the godliest woman I know. I'm sure if you raise her up to be a godly young woman she will know right from wrong and show her true character.

One of my daughters wants to be a cheerleader too. And your concerns are my concerns. Maybe as a parent you should voice your concerns with the adult in charge of the cheerleading squad. It seems to me that if a parent is concerned about innappropriateness in cheerleading that that issue might be addressed.

Good luck to you and your daughter.

 

That is a difficult situation. I will give you my outlook, but note I do not have any kids.

You hate to squash your child's interests. At the same time you can not let your child do something that can prove dangerous either emotionally or physically. I think that with a moral instructor, cheer could be a good experience for a younger person, but someone who is not concerned with pleaseing God, there is a larger risk.

I suggest you first ask the instructor if you and your wife go watch one or two practices, without your child. Then you can observe the way they are tought. You will find out rather quick how appropriate this will be for your child. After you have observed it, discuss it with your wife, without your child around. Discuss the positives and negatives of what y'all saw and weigh it all against Scripture to see if it is apprpriate for your child. Pray about it, then take your decision to your child. If you are not quite sure, you can always let her try it, with the condition that if you decide later that it is not appropriate or it is effecting her negatively in school, attitude or behavior then she will have to stop. Then stand firm on your decision and convictions.

 

I would keep in mind that not all cheerleading squads are the same. At some schools, they are properly supervised by adults and uniforms and dances are kept to styles appropriate for the students' age. In other situations, this same supervision might not be available. Instead of making it an all or nothing decision, evaluate the individual squads your daughter has an opportunity in joining. If a school squad doesn't fit your and your child's priorities, there are always youth league or all start squads around.

 

That's a good point. The cheerleaders at a Christian school I know of dress the girls in outfits that are to the knee. And there cheers are more traditional and appropriate.

 

Be a father and husband and make the right spiritual decision. Many times your decisions aren't going to be what everyone wants, but as the head of the home it your responsbiltiy to watch for the welfare of your family, nor aLWAYS BE THE GOOD GUY.

The biggest failure of leaders is fearing they won't be "liked", as a leader it is more important to be respected than liked. There is a difference, a respected leader is one who can make an unpopular decision and stand by it.

As a husband and father your first responsibity is to your families Spiritual welfare. It is you that has to decide, not ask for a vote.

 

A family in our homeschool group went through this last year. The little girl really wanted to continue cheering but her parents were very concerned about the outfits.

The girl tried out and was chosen for the squad. The parents contacted the maker of their costume and ordered a modified skirt that went to the girls knees. They also bought some bike style shorts in the main color of the skirt to wear under it for when she jumped or did cartwheels.

Maybe you could consider something like this and be a witness to the other families at the same time.

Praying for your decision, Dad.

 

A friend of mine just moved to a small town, her Husband is the new Preacher there, and her 8 year old daughter is a Cheerleader now also my Brother in law is a Youth Minister and his daughter is a Cheerleader also. Now mind you at first I was a little taken back at this news, I don't know why but I was, maybe the reputations and outfits as mentioned above. But after a few minutes I really thought well why not, and they are very cute.
Also they both live in small towns and there is not a HUGE amount of things to choose from. LOL
I would not worry too much! Love in Christ, Angie

 

It would be confusing. I decided against it for my daughter last year. I did it myself in high school, and I decided no, I don't want my daughter in it.
Did I have fun? Yes.
we also danced to Prince music in a mini-skirt in front of a teams of teenage boys.
Still fun. But NOT exactly what I'd call a good testimony!
Then again, we were held up to a higher standard than other students. We had to keep our grades up, we had to keep our makeup very toned down in class, no holding hands with our boyfriends during school, and even outside of school cheerleaders got suspended from the team if they went to a party and drank alcohol or otherwise behaved inappropriately. I don't think a whole lot of other public high schools are like this though.
Now, both our daughters are the same age, and for the most part it will be innocent, but in a few more years it won't be and what will be your excuse for letting her do it now but not then? I can hear my daughter asking "don't you trust me, why was it ok then and wrong now? If I can wear those clothes in front of everyone during games why can't I wear other clothes like that all the time? "
I don't see how putting her in a sport where they wear mini-skirts and having her be the one wearing them past her knees will be very fun for her either, and besides that have you ever tried to do a flip or get in a pyramid in anything but pants or shorts or a mini-skirt? It doesn't work.
Gina

 

Ask any post-pubescent male what he thinks about cheerleaders and what he thinks about when watching them. Then, ask yourself if that is what you want people thinking about your daughter. Cheerleading is no longer about leading cheers for a sporting event, it is about putting on a show. That show is almost always designed to evoke certain very unChristian like responses. They have a dance routine, a cheer routine, a skill routine, etc. You men know exactly what I am talking about. You ladies, the next time your husband watches a sporting event and there are cheerleaders, ask him after the game if he noticed them (he will have), then ask him what the cheer was. I have seen cheerleading that was modest...on second thought, no I haven't. Even from a very young age cheerleaders are attemping to emulate the professional cheerleaders such as those from professional sports clubs. If you don't want your daughter to be like the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, then don't start them off with the idea that it is acceptable.

OK, now hit this old fuddy-duddy with your best shot.

 

I only have sons, no daughters, so I cannot advise directly. However I would suggest that you seperate your concerns into different groups and decide which ones you really want to fight over.

Here are some of the ones you mention:

1) Time and money: Are you actually unwilling to do this -independant- of what she is doing? What if it was girl guides or poney riding? If it is a straightforward "we don't have the resources" then fair enough. But don't dress a resource constraint as religion.

2) Reputation: are you worried about what people will think or if the reputation is correct? If you are worried about what people will think then go talk to the people you are worried about.

3) The NFL. Interestingly there is a couple in our church (he was a pro-hockey player, she was a chicago bears cheerleader). They were saved. Their daughter doesn't cheerlead ...
I think any 'sport' taken to that extreme becomes its' own religion with its' own set of ethics. Late nights; road trips etc. Not good news.

4) Risque clothing. I sympathise but if you are going this route you are also ruling out just about every other womens sport there is ... As she gets older this will partly come down to her build ... you can best evaluate this by looking at your wife! Svelte can be wrapped and bound; anything else will not sustain strenuous exercise and modesty simultaneously.

5) Ungodly music. Again I can see this; but you need to think if you are running a 'Christian only' music house or if you are allowing other music in.

I hope some of this helps. I am not really trying to give you any answers; just trying to get you to understand what you actually object to.

DAB

 

1 Thess 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

 

One sees a lot more skin at the beach or waterpool, walking down the streets in summer and even in the back garden.

Men have been swimming topless, mowing the turf shirtless and doing other things in the skin. Maybe the changes should go both directions when it comes to dressing modestly.

Cheers,

Jim

 

THANK YOU for recognizing that Jim! I was beginning to think I was the only one in the world who found that very odd!
Gina

 

But does that make it right? I don't think there is anything wrong with cheerleading in itself. It is what you wear and how you act. No, matter what we think, we are to be different from the world. The world does watch us. Besides the fact that I wouldn't want a bunch of boys or men looking at my daughter with impure thoughts of her. JMHO

Mary

 

My sister was a cheerleader and I went out with a cheerleader, not to mention that we spent a lot of time with the cheerleaders when I played football.

What "reputation"? These were all good girls.

There's a girl in our Parrothead club who's an Eagles' cheerleader. The Eagles' cheerleaders have never turned down our request for them to appear at fundraisers and this girl, Amy, is one of the nicest, kindest people I've ever met.

What risque clothing? I've never seen anything below the NFL level that I wouldn't want my daughter to wear.

Besides, our president was a cheerleader.

By the way, speaking of fundraisers, this Saturday, 22 Feb, we're having a fundraiser at "Spectator's", in Gloucester City, N.J.

There will be live music and door prizes, as well as an auction (going from past auctions, there should be a lot of Philadephia Flyers and Phillies stuff). Proceeds will go to Dooley House, a home for seriously ill, low imcome children and their families.

 

Yes, I think you are. She is a little girl under your supervision. Let her be a cheerleader.

I have not been a cheerleader, but I have been a sponsor and it can be done in a appropriate manner.

 

I married the captain of our high school cheerleading squad, so you can guess what my opinion is

 

Rom 12:1 ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.