Male Cheerleading

Did you know that males were introduced to cheerleading before females even were? And yet, our society continues to believe that cheerleading is not only a considered non-athletic, but is only for females.

When people see a female cheerleader, they think, "oh look at how cute or pretty she is in her little skirt". However, when people see a male cheerleader, they think, "why is he cheering instead of playing on the football team?"

Why is this? Some people feel that cheerleading does not show one's athletic ability; therefore, if a guy is a cheerleader, then he "must not be very athletic." I don't understand where this idea comes from because guys have to be very athletic to be a cheerleader. There is more to cheerleading then yelling for a team. What about the flips and the ability to throw women in the air?

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1685

But this in itself is a wrong assumption because there are women who are very athletic in this world. So just because women are cheerleaders, doesn't even mean that they aren't athletic so whoever is claiming that cheerleading is not a sport, is sadly mistaken because it is whether it is a male or female.

Why does it bother dads so much to hear that their son wants to be a male cheerleader? I think that it's because from the beginning, we have been programmed to think that little girls play with dolls and little boys play with footballs. Many dads probably played sports when they were little or if they didn't, they love sports and want to see their son play them and be athletic. In many cases, fathers don't understand why their sons wouldn't share the same passion for a sport because they are wired differently.

http://www.ubersite.com/m/85472

It's not right to make the assumption that just because a male is a cheerleader, that automatically means that he is gay. And honestly, does sexuality really make a difference in cheerleading? Whether he is straight or gay, he is doing what he wants to do and is happy. Wouldn't every parent want that? I would hope so.