Should Cheerleader Uniforms Be Standardized?

We've read about young cheerleaders refusing to wear their uniforms because they thought they were too skimpy. And then on the other side of the spectrum there are cheerleaders that complain because they have incurred a score deduction at a competition because of their uniforms. We have some schools that allow their cheerleaders to wear their uniforms to school on game day and some that don't unless the uniforms meet the school's dress code. Add in the fact that supposedly there is a study that suggests cheerleaders are more likely to suffer from an eating disorders and you have the perfect set of circumstances for some people to suggest that standardizing cheerleading uniforms is the answer. So, what do you think? Should all cheerleaders wear the same style of uniform? Below are some pros and cons on the idea and once you have read them, be sure to take our poll on the topic and leave a comment.

Pros

• Everyone would wear the same style of uniform and price would not factor into the selection as much as it does now. No more custom made uniforms and teams trying to out do one another.
• The uniform could be designed so that it looks good on all body types. Whether a cheerleaders is slim or husky, tall or short, a standardized uniform could be used to cover all cheerleaders.
• Young women would not feel so self-conscious.
• Everyone could wear their uniforms to school.

Cons

• No squad would be able to individualize their uniform for their team or school.
• All cheerleaders would look very similar which could be a pro or a con depending on how you look at it.
• The decision would definitely impact the industry and specifically uniform companies.
• It could diminish school spirit or at the very least squad spirit.
• There is a chance a standardized uniform would not cover every level of skills and it could actually be constraining to some cheerleaders.
• Cheerleading uniforms serve more of a purpose than just looks and appearance.
• There are cheerleaders in every climate. What might work in the South might not work in the North.
• One of the purposes of cheerleading is to get the crowd involved. What works in one area might not work in another.

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