Females involved in cheerleading are also expected to live up to social gender expectations for women. Cheerleading uniforms almost always consist of short skirts and a body-hugging top, clothing considered to be feminine and sexualized. On my competition squad all cheerleaders were even required to wear makeup. Not only were we required to wear makeup, but each participant’s makeup had to be identical to all other members. This not only mirrors society’s expectations involving women appearing “feminine”, but also takes away the individuality of each cheerleader to the extreme.
Female cheerleaders are also faced with many body image issues that are factors of gender expectations in society. Cheerleaders are often pressured to loose weight to add ease in stunting, or maintain a slim appearance. My cheerleading squad used a strict weight lifting routine developed by our school’s athletic trainer. As previously mentioned, it was an identical program as the one designed for the football players. I often heard concern of my fellow squad members about the prospect of “bulking up” or appearing masculine. In Harrison and Lynch’s 2005 study on gender in athletics, they commented that female athletes often are reluctant to embrace their muscular bodies (Harrison and Lynch, 2005). Small feminine bodies are considered to be the cultural ideal. These ideals on femininity clash with the characteristics of aggression and competitiveness that help female athletes excel in sport (Harrison and Lynch, 2005). Cheerleading, though not recognized as such, is a competitive and aggressive sport. Cheerleaders, however, are taught not to embrace their competitive edge and aggression, and are instead encouraged to offer support to other competing squads under the guise of “sportsmanship.”
Since cheerleading continues to be a female dominated sport, there are always going to be issues concerning gender associated with the activity. Cheerleading is consistently failing to receive recognition as a sport, arguably due to society’s reluctance to embrace sports that are not deemed masculine. Males are not encouraged to become involved in cheerleading because of pressure placed on them by society to participate in such sports as football, hockey, and soccer. Females and males alike are subject to negative stereotypes and labels associated with the sport. These stereotypes frequently reflect societies’ gender roles. Finally, body image issues are often found in cheerleading, as women are encouraged to remain feminine and not embrace the muscular bodies which would provide the ability to jump higher, and provide more power for stunting. Until it is equally acceptable for males to enter cheerleading as it is for females, and male cheerleaders are expected to maintain the same level of skill and participation as their female counterparts there will be no gender equality within cheerleading.
Reference
Adams, Natalie and Pamela Bettis. (2003). Commanding the Room in Short Skirts: Cheering as the Embodiment of Ideal Girlhood. Gender & Society. v17 i1 p73(19)
Harrison, Lisa A. and Amanda B. Lynch. (2005). Social Role Theory and the Perceived Gender Role Orientation of Athletes. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research. v52 i3-4 p227(10)
The History of Cheerleading. (Retrieved April 25th 2005.) Reprinted from Cheerleader Magazine. cheerleading.org.uk
Note: pictures taken from my personal collection
