23 August 2014

Cheerleaders

What is the point of a cheerleader? Well, essentially as the title says they are supposed to lead the crowd, into a cheer, for their team, during a sporting game. However, the whole aspect of cheerleading has turned into an almost gratuitous and sexualized activity as well as pretty much a sexist affair, during certain sporting events. One would wonder, in a modern society where women are looking for equal rights, should they really be taking on such professions to begin with? One also would wonder as to why male cheerleaders get frowned upon and are quite uncommon as a result. It can be the same way stated towards why so many women choose to go into such unwieldy professions only to later claim for more feminist ideals of equality.  Cheerleading is not a high paying profession, so why do so many women find it interesting compared to modelling where they could command comparatively higher pay scales? Are they just looking to be discovered? Is cheerleading a way for them to head into more seedy professions? Are there no real professions available for women in our society? Are such women just craving for attention and popularity? Or, can this be seen more of an animal instinct where women try to attract the most able of men. It appears to be about equality when it suits them. Should men still be expected to hold doors for women as gentlemen were expected to do of the past? Should women be expected more and more to look after themselves? We still find the gold digger analogy where women with no real ambitions other than to find a wealthy man that can provide for them. In what way is this describing equality of women? Perhaps, such ideals of some women taints the bigger picture of what most women actually want out of society. Obviously, it would be unfair to generalize. It is an undeniable fact that cheerleading makes sporting events interesting and entertaining. Models in adverts are also often used to entice consumers. Models are also used for fashion to showcase new designs. Many do feel that a female body is an art form that should be celebrated. However, where does one draw the line between what is equality and what is deemed as hypocritical?