This article reflects on all of the different areas concerning the cons/ dangers or doing cheer related activities and/or being a cheerleader.
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When asked to name a sport, most people would say football, basketball, or perhaps soccer. What most people may not realize is that cheerleading is just as much a sport as any other and is labeled the most dangerous women’s sport by news stations across the country. While this may be true there are also very beneficial reasons to participate in it.
As in any other sport, cheerleading has just as many cons as it does pros. While social interaction is a very good thing, in cheerleading it could turn into bullying, trust issues, jealousy, excessive drama, or girls may begin to feel self-conscious (Cheerleadingblog.com). Bullying in cheer often begins with the skills you have. Normally if you’re not nearly as skilled as the rest of the other cheerleaders, you tend to be left out and pushed aside (Prezi.com). Bully also may lead to trust issues within the team; in cheerleading this is never a good thing. The people who are bullied often times may not trust their bases to catch them because they may intend on trying to hurt their flyer. Bullying may also very well lead to drama, with girls talking about other girls. This affects the team’s goals of the season and can allow them to perform poorly (Cheerleadingblog.com) Cheerleading may also make it difficult for the athletes to maintain their school work and their outside lives due to long practices and games throughout the week nights (proconlist.com). Along with many of the emotionally related cons, cheerleading also has many physical cons to go with it. Cheerleading is labeled as one of the most dangerous female sports by news stations across the country. 1980 to 2002 there was a recorded amount of 24,675 emergency room visits related to cheerleading injuries. 351, or 1.4%, were due to concussions (Momstream.com). 96% of concussions are stunt related and 60% of total injuries are also stunting related (Momstrem.com). Cheerleading also accounts for 65% of all female sports injuries (sks.sirs.con) Cheer related injuries also include things such as torn ACL’s, other knee problems, Heat illness, over use of the body injuries, broken and dislocated bones/ joint, etc. (Stopsportsinjuries.com). A major factor that holds a lot of athletes from doing cheerleading is the cost. According to a national average in order to be a part of a high school cheer team, it would cost anywhere between $915.00- $1,115.00. Broken down, you’d be looking at $150 for registration, $100 for “spirit” fees, $100 for uniforms, $65 for warm ups, $100 for game accessories (Bow, pomp oms, etc.), $100 for practice gear, if wanted $100 for 10 tumbling classes, individual and team pictures are $50, and another $150- $350 for summer camp (Cheerleadingblog.com).Depending on if you do all-star cheer you could be in the millions. Just imagine doing both! Many people forget that cheer is very much a sport and like most anything else, it has its pros and cons. Cheerleading is very pricey, may lead to bullying, and is very dangerous, but when it boils down to it there are so many other aspects to look at when deciding to participate in cheerleading. Cheer has many beneficial aspect to your health boosts your self-image and is a rich learning experience for your child future, providing him/ her with traits and other skills they can use for the rest of their lives. Whatever view you have on cheer couldn’t change the fact that it is a fun way to provide your child with exercise and the chance to reach out, make friends, and show off their school spirit. |