Who’s Cheering for the Cheerleaders?

One of biggest myths during high school was that girls who were cheerleaders were snobby and conceited. Many often associate the status of being a cheerleader with being one of the popular or pretty girls. They are considered to be that group of girls that have everything they could possibly want, whether that is perfect hair or captain of the football team. Sure, high school has its share of clicks, but none are more infamous and despised than the cheerleaders. Even movies in recent years have added to the myth of cheerleaders as being stupid, conceited girls. Movies, like Bring it On and Sugar and Spice, continue to reinforce the myth into the minds of youths. Unfortunately, I think this myth hurts many girls who take up cheerleading. My cousin, for instance, was a cheerleader, and I know that she wasn’t anything like the cheerleaders portrayed in movies or like many believed. She genuinely enjoyed cheerleading for the fun and excitement of doing it, not for the notoriety or popularity. In fact, some people even shunned her because they already have preconceived notions that she thought highly of herself. It is a shame that cheerleading has gained this type of stereotype for reasons such as this.