Do you think High School cheerleader outfits are too revealing?

Poll - Total Votes: 29

Yes

You can only vote on one answer.

I've seen arguments both ways. Some say that it's a health and safety issue; that loose or long clothing could cause accidents, and that if it's a problem for you, you shouldn't be a cheerleader anyway. On the other hand, some say that it's not right to let young girls wear clothing that's as revealing as some of these outfits are, and that it can make the cheerleaders uncomfortable.

I'm not sure where I stand really. To me, the whole concept of cheerleading is kind of alien, so I don't know if I can really make a judgement. In other places I've seen this discussed, there was about an even split of people on both sides. I'm really interested to see where SW stands on the issue.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

Reboot · 46-50, M

This is an excellent question and it comes back to a similar one about volleyball uniforms. Girls wear spandex everything that often leaves _nothing_ to the imagination while boys volleyball (if there is a team) often uses uniforms that look more like basketball uniforms. Here's the thing:

No one is forcing anyone to wear something they don't want.

It really is that simple. I used to wrestle in high school and college. If you've ever seen what folk-style, grecko-roman style or free style wrestlers wear, there is nothing about the guy that you don't know. But we have to wear that because of the sport and safety requirements. If a guy doesn't want to wear the singlet, that's fine, he doesn't have to and he wont wrestle. Same thing goes with cheerleading, girls volleyball, swim team and any other sport that has a "revealing" uniform. If they don't want to wear it, they don't have to because they don't have to participate.

Now, many people (like the poster) will often start up a campaign to try and "fix" a uniform for one reason or another. The worst part about this is they often don't even speak to the athletes about how _they_ feel. I've had students that were on swim team and volleyball teams. You know what? They don't care about the uniforms. They're getting to participate in a sport they enjoy and that's the outfit they have to wear. I never cared that I was wearing skin tight spandex while wrestling because that's what was required so I could compete.

So, before you start your social justice warrior campaign against skirts that girls look better in than you, re-evaluate your reason for doing it. If they're not asking you to be their champion then you really need to step down off of your pillar of justice and leave them be. Those athletes have parents who are more interested in their children's health and well being than you ever will be. Leave it up to them to decide what's right for their kid.

RoboChloe · 26-30, F

I'm not representing an opinion, simply asking the question. I said myself that I'm undecided about the issue.

My only concern about that argument is the stories I've read from girls who were uncomfortable with the uniforms, but continued to do cheerleading because of social pressure, not wanting to quit or dissapoint someone, and more. I agree that lots of the people who wear these outfits are fine with them, but some are not, and it isn't always as cut and dry as "Don't like it, don't do it".

Reboot · 46-50, M

@RoboChloe: Ok, sorry if I did come across a bit harsh in my reply on this. It's just a touchy subject as I have a teen daughter on a dance team where they wear what would be called "cheerleader uniforms." She loves what she does and couldnt care less about what she had to wear. She does like the fact that the uniform gives her a freedom of movement to let her dance.

As for those people who arent comfortable with wearing the uniform but still want to participate, I dont know what to say about those people. I have never met a single person who participated in something but didnt feel good about themselves because of it. It really is as cut and dry as "Dont like it, dont do it."

RoboChloe · 26-30, F

@Reboot: I've talked to people like that. They tend to keep quiet about it because they don't want people to know how they feel. These are teenagers after all.

For the girls who are comfortable with it, that's great for them. But nothing is that simple.