Isn't it contradictory for cheerleaders to be "wholesome"?

Question

The cheerleader squad for my city's national football team exercises and practices in my neighborhood gym. The other day a lawyer came in and took a few of them aside. I overhead her instruct them to delete their Facebook and MySpace profiles immediately, explaining that membership in online social networks is a breach of contract.

Evidently "the team" (read: the owners) feels it cannot regulate what they put on their profiles: I recall her saying that the team wants to promote a "wholesome" image, and so therefore it wouldn't want any of its corporate imagery associated with any "untoward things," i.e., sexy photographs, suggestive messages, and the like.

Now, this is where I'm confused: you have scantily clad woman hopping and gyrating on live television for millions to see, and somehow they are supposed to also be "wholesome"? Obviously, I'm not complaining; I am, after all, a guy (and I would also like to take a moment to thank God for blessing my gym). Nevertheless, I'm a bit confused as to the morality of "wholesome cheerleading."

Answer 1

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There they go again trying to regulate morality, the money power people want to promote a "wholesome" image for the families that might follow the team while at the same time selling risque calenders in the gift shop.

Yes it is crazy, but enjoy the view.

Answer 2

not much I can say to disagree with you....it does seem like a contradiction....

PS...can I join your gym?? Talk about a lucky guy.

Answer 3

Well, I think it depends on the team. It seems like some teams might try to promote a less sexy image. Whenever the Packers have cheerleaders on the sidelines (I think they borrow theirs from local colleges), they seem to be wearing sweaters and long pleated skirts -- more like the old-fashioned varsity look.

So maybe your team is like that. If you're a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, well, your cheerleaders look about as "wholesome" as Madonna. Having someone tell them not to promote a salacious image would be ridiculous, because of what they already (barely) wear on the sidelines.

Bottom line, I guess, is that the cheerleaders are under contract, and their employer has a right to tell them how to act in the public eye, however silly it may seem.

Answer 4

no
it is not contradictory for cheerleaders to be wholesome. they can be young, attractive, and athletic. that does not mean that they need to be anything less than wholesome. My 9 year old daughter cheerleads. she is a good girl, and needs wholesome role models to look up to.

Answer 5

There's a fine line between titillating and pornographic... yeah I don't get it either, but it's just like how guys want to marry a virgin and then expect her to be like a wh*re in bed. It seems the team managers are fairly myopic - MySpace could be a good way to promote the squad - they just need to make it clear on what is, and what is not, appropriate to be on their profiles.

Answer 6

Welcome to America and political mumbo jumbo. Never bite the hand that feeds you.. The cheerleaders are "popular" due to there job. Why would they risk that. They are a political slave to what ever there owners "football teams" want. They are not hurting believe me. They have everything they want with rules and regulations.. That doesn't stop at cheerleaders it happens all over the place. Many people have jobs that tell them what they can and can't do away from work.

Answer 7

Traditionally, high school cheerleading promoted a wholesome image.Back in the 70's, a cheerleader first had to make the honor role before she could make cheerleaders cut. She had to be maticulously groomed and not one pound overweight. She had to project a modest image to stay on the team. That was in high school. Those women set the tone in their schools. Of course, these women were under 18 years of age and their cheers were designed to rally and support their teams. Strict guidelines were followed. College and professional football teams elected another type of cheerleader: one who projected a less innocent image with her dress, and movements. These cheerleaders job was mainly to attract viewers to the game. These girls helped with a teams popularity.They were adults entertaining.

Source(s):

my lifes' experience

Answer 8

I hear you brother. I like my cheerleaders to be really whoreish!

Answer 9

Wholesome is much sexier than blatant.

Answer 10

I would assume that it would be fine for the cheerleading squad to have facebook or myspace profile, its the personal profiles that are the issue. When I was in the US Army serving in Korea, we flew the Dallas Cheerleaders around in a helicopter to visit the troops. I think promoting a "wholesome" image can only be a good thing.

Many athletes (we can argue about cheerleading being a sport or if cheerleaders are athletes) wear attire which would not be appropriate to wear while not performing. Think of gymnasts, swimmers, runners, track uniforms, etc. Do not confuse a cheerleaders attire for their personal morals.

Answer 11

Yeah. As Fez said, it comes down to the NFL contracts that govern cheerleader behavior and image projection. If the NFL says be wholesome, then be wholesome or get back on the bus. The nanny state NFL overreaches in a lot of areas, and this is one of them.

I do miss the “wholesome” uniforms the Los Angeles Rams cheerleaders used to wear.

Answer 12

They just want them to be role models while doing their job, their private life is no ones business so when at work they have to be upstanding citizens.

Answer 13

Personally I like the Carolina Panthers cheerleaders. especially the ones who got kicked off the team for making out and feeling each other up at a sports bar the Saturday night before a big game!

Bottom line is that Cheerleaders are nothing more than eye candy for the fans. As if we REALLY need them to help us chear for our team! Puh-leeze! The NFL knows what guys like and what we want. We want hard hitting football, lots of beer, scantily clad hotties shaking their T's and A's, and a boss that lets us call in sick for work the next morning after we drink to celebrate our team winning or drink to drown the sorrows of our team losing.

Answer 14

um...where is this gym? I am joining if you have cheerleaders there