This is in response to the harsh article about Warsaw cheerleaders.
First, shame on both the writer and Times-Union for attacking young girls. Teens have always been susceptible to criticism about their appearance. A public forum for "adults" to voice such shallow and hurtful opinions about girls with less than perfect bodies is unacceptable. Would it be better for them to have eating disorders, depression and self-destructive behavior than to be committed to a team sport?
It is one thing to share an opinion about areas that could be improved pertaining to the actual cheerleading during the game, and another to imply that "bigger" girls don't belong on the team. Typically fans attend games to enjoy the sport, not critique the cheerleaders' appearance. If you are offended by the not so pretty sight of "some of those girls' bellies and undergarments" you might want to stay home. The world is not a pretty place.
According to HealthNewsDigest.com, "Research has also shown that physical attractiveness is so over-highly valued, it is now the leading cause of individuals' lack of self-worth. We aren't born with our body image. It is learned. This learning occurs through family and peers, and through emerson in our culture but first and foremost, it is learned culturally."
It also says that a recent study shows that more than 91 percent of women are unhappy with their bodies. Television and magazines create plenty of "ideal images" for us to measure our short comings with. We do not need strangers sharing their opinions of us in print.
It is such a relief to me that I have boys and do not have to see my children agonize over what they "think" they should look like.
These destructive and antiquated views of what cheerleaders should look like have no place in the local paper. This is a perfect example of "if you don't have something nice to say about someone, don't say anything at all."
