Have you ever heard the different stereotypes that are labeled to cheerleaders? Although, all of them may not be true they are definitely prominent when discussing cheerleaders. For instance, if you search whether cheerleading is a sport or not, you will see the different controversial opinions. Yet, most people that are not supporters of cheerleading will consider it not a sport because their primary job is to support and cheer on other teams. This is where the idea comes in that a cheerleading team is made of a group of unathletic people. Also, cheerleaders are perceived as provocative. This stereotype is supported by movies and also pictures of cheerleaders wearing uniforms that barely cover their bottoms, . In addition, if you watch movies about cheerleaders they are most likely showing how they are snobby and can be considered bullies. With all the negativity towards them these stereotypes are common when discussing cheerleaders. These stereotypes have started to represent cheerleaders as a whole, although they do not apply to all cheerleaders. Social representations of cheerleaders like movies, social media and etc. extremely impact the stereotypes of cheerleaders as unathletic, snobby and provocative.
A prominent stereotype about cheerleaders is being unathletic, this particular stereotype has been in question for years. The media and society contribute to the idea that cheerleaders are unathletic in all regards. To be athletic means to be physically strong and fit. Most people that participate in sports like football, basketball, soccer and etc. are considered to be athletic. On the other hand, cheerleaders are commonly known to be unathletic. The media has been casting cheerleaders under a bad light for many years. Also, it isn’t only the media that create and promote these stereotypes it’s also the communities. This label is used to downplay cheerleading. For instance, when discussions take place about how hard cheerleaders work someone typically includes negative comments about how unathletic they are and the lack of effort it takes. The media is one of the central causes cheerleaders are stereotyped as unathletic. In the television show “Glee” the cheerleaders don’t operate the same way they do in reality. The television show “Glee” shines a negative light on all cheerleaders. Unlike reality on this show the cheerleaders focus on their popularity rather than their athletics. Television shows like this cause others to believe that there is nothing to cheerleading but jumping around and cheering people on. In addition, the television series “Riverdale” also wrongfully represent cheerleaders. In the show the cheerleaders only dance, which promotes the stereotype of cheerleaders being unathletic. As shown, the media is a major reason cheerleaders are viewed as unathletic.
In addition, to cheerleaders being viewed as unathletic by society they are also stereotypically known to act and dress provocatively. The society stereotyping cheerleaders about how they wear seductive attire can be connected precisely to the media. The media displays movies, television shows, magazines, and commercials that promote the stereotypical cheerleader being provocative. The definition of provocative is the act to provoke an emotional or sexual reaction. Cheerleaders are unfairly viewed as provocative because movies portray them as that. For example, in the “Bring It On” movies all the cheerleaders have tight, short, low cut uniforms that barely cover their bottom. Stereotypes like this become problematic when the media shows it and everyone begins to think it true. In addition, if you search cheerleaders on the web immediately many pictures of college cheerleaders in revealing uniforms will appear. Furthermore, they are known to be seductive when it comes to their actions. Cheerleaders are stereotypically known to get what they want with seductive behaviors. Cheerleaders in movies are known to entice others in any way they can. For example, they provoke others through dancing, talking, or by simply looking. In the movie “Riverdale” the dances they performed have a lot of bending over and shaking body parts purposely in front of a group of teenage boys. Actions like these are considered seductive. Myths such as all cheerleaders being provocative have been around for years and only have gotten worse over time.
Cheerleaders acting like total snobs is another common label. The promotion of this stereotype also comes from the television and other means of media. The word snobby is another way of saying being conceited. In different movies it is shown that cheerleaders are at the top and they think they are better than everyone else. For example, In “Bring It On” all the cheerleaders that are on the squad are rude and stuck-up to the highest point. In addition, in other movies and television shows the cheerleaders are always shown talking down to people or pushing others around. This is a prime example of why cheerleaders are viewed as bullies. In addition, society also assumes cheerleaders are atrocious without getting to know them. Society prejudges cheerleaders assuming they are all conceited and cruel. This stereotype is based off of a single story which doesn’t include all the aspects of cheerleaders. Society is known to negatively stereotype cheerleaders.
As Adichie states in her TED talk The Danger of a Single Story, “A single story creates stereotypes. The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete.”(13:11-13:21) Adichie confirms that all stereotypes are only one side of the story by stating examples about all her different experiences with single stories. Social influences like the media and the society promote biases opinions about cheerleaders such as being snobby, unathletic and provocative. In these examples, when the stereotypes were created they didn’t use the whole story behind cheerleaders and what they do. The label unathletic is expressed without fully knowing all the strenuous exercises, dangerous stunts and long hours of practice they have to put in. Also, the stereotype about all cheerleaders being provocative is not represented by all cheerleaders but only a few. Knowing the full story instead of a single story is vital when categorizing people. As Raman stated in his TED Talk Why Our Stereotypes Kill Us, “We jump judgments, which judgements are usually the worst case scenario.”(6:10) Using our judgment can lead us in the wrong direction and cause us to be mistaken. Stereotypes are usually made based by people’s opinions of others. The labeling of cheerleaders are known to be made by single stories and judgments.
Works Cited
- Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. The Danger of a Single Story. TED.com, July 2009, https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story. Accessed 7 November 2018.
- Raghu, Raman. Why our Stereotypes will Kill Us. TED.com, April 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=RPxkmFJorIM. Accessed 7 November 2018.
