How do I convince my parents to let me cheer?

First of all, welcome to Fluther.

You could try to talk to her about it, but I expect that she’s going to win every “discussion” or “argument” that you might start with her, and obviously your dad is unwilling to counter her.

Some of the points you could make are
– it’s a sport in its own right, with competition, varsity and JV squads, and it IS athletic
– you’re not just going to be a bimbo (I expect that this is probably her primary objection)
– you’re not trying to win a boyfriend this way (but only if that’s a true statement; I don’t recommend lying)
– it’s your life, not hers—this is a heavy gun; don’t go shooting it off half-cocked or it’ll blow up in your face

But before you try to make arguments about “why I should be allowed to do this” you should plumb ALL of her reasons for “why you should not”. Insist that if she is going to make such a decision about YOUR life and school activities for you that SHE has to be completely forthcoming with ALL of her reasons. Then, and only then, will you know what you have to argue against. So ask her and LISTEN; don’t argue just yet.

A) Tell your mom to kiss your ass and do it anyway, and be prepared to suffer a consequence
B) Tell your dad to man up and be the voice of reason in your house, and be prepared to suffer a consequence.
C) Don’t say anything to anybody and do what you want and be prepared to suffer a consequence
D) Give it up

@CyanoticWasp Thanks, and yes she thinks their idiots and sluts, but thats not why I want to be one, she says “Cheerleaders are stupid” But I also used to swim, swimmers could be stupid too? and you really don’t have to be smart to do any sport.

Just got for it and show her that you’re determined.

I’d modify @josie‘s choices:

D. Give it up, and tell both your parents that there will be consequences

But I like his other choices.

@CyanoticWasp Better. I like it. Nice work.

wow. I would love it if my daughter wanted to cheer. I simply can’t understand why your mother so disapproves. You have to have a high gpa to cheer, it’s atheletic, it’s good for you, and contrary to what she might think, it’s hard. What a butt. I would do it anyway.

Remind her extracurricular activities look great to colleges.

Ask the Cheerleader Coach/Instructor to please arrange a meeting with your Mom to introduce her to the “real” cheerleading squad instead of the fake one that is in her head.

My Niece was a cheerleader through high school, one of the youngest chosen for the squad. That, plus good grades earned her a college scholarship.

I used to cheer when I was younger and I got ALOT of flack for it. fortunately, my parents were actually supportive but I had a lot of friends who couldn’t believe I was a cheerleader for whatever reason: Mostly people seem to assume you have to be idiotic and sex crazed to be a cheerleader, but in all actuality-the competetion aspect is extremely athletic, and really teaches you to work well with other people- as does being on any sports team. (and I never really did care for cheering at games I’d always rather I played that sport n addition like basketball, or went as a spectator)

Try discussing with your mom that though you understand the stigma behind being a cheerleader, you’d like to break that stereotype, and would really appreciate it if you could at least be given the oppurtunity to try it out- especially considering you’d find you own transportation. It’s frustrating and if you do end up cheering you’re always going to get those few negative people that just want to cut it down: keep trying. goodluck.

My opinion is you rethink this. Do you know anything about cheerleading? It is a tough sport. I know someone who has bad knees because of cheerleading. I also know of someone who did not get caught on the way to the floor. She got a concusion and plastic surgery on her face. Is is also very expensive. There are also alot of out of town meets and training camps at different places. Training camp can be a week. How will you get permission to do those things? Paying for it will not be easy either. Outfits, and make-up, hair, travel, bags, shoes, fees, dues… I can’t recall everything, but there are more charges than those listed so far.
I think you should pick a different battle, this one is not that important… is it?

Your mother’s opinion is probably formed from her own experience with cheerleaders in high school and from watching movies like “Bring It On.”

My daughters didn’t cheer, but a family friend’s daughter did, and the financial investment was about $3000 a year, with uniforms, camps and traveling. The mom was really into it, so it became a mother-daughter bonding thing. I probably would have enabled cheerleading if my daughters really wanted to do it, but would not have really embraced the idea.

I would suggest asking your dad to sign whatever forms are needed for you to try out for cheerleading. Then worry about your mother after you make the team. In the meantime, give your mom some facetime with the girls on the cheerleading squad. so she can see that they’re nice. Discuss with them the importance of belonging in high school, and finding a group where you fit in, and that this is important to you. You need to start laying the groundwork for what you see yourself getting out of cheerleading.

Ask your mother if her mother controlled everything she did in high school, and how she felt about it. This could go two ways: if grandma did not control, and let your mother do what she wanted, then expressing the idea that you wish she was more like grandma might help. If grandma was also controlling, then ask her if she remembers how she felt about that at the time.

Where does your mother see you fitting in during high school?