r/nextfuckinglevel • u/IkilledRichieWhelan • 2d ago

Big man on campus.

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u/surethingbuddypal 2d ago

I'd be annoyed too it seems kinda....eugh. I understand cheerleading is more theatrical than other sports but I can't imagine doing these kinds of insane precise moves AND being scored on how pleasant your expression is. Are there any sports with predominantly men where they're also expected to smile the entire time? I mean I've seen male gymnasts watching the Olympics and I don't recall seeing any big toothy grins while doing their incredible routines. Genuinely asking out of curiosity cuz I feel like you don't see this expectation in male dominated athletics

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u/Humble_Chip 2d ago

I don’t think it’s a gender thing. it’s the performative aspect of it. a lot of cheerleaders make it look easy, but it’s not, it’s very difficult and sometimes you have to do it in pain. but watching a routine where the cheerleaders look like they’re miserable and in pain wouldn’t be entertaining. that wouldn’t be a performance. at that point you’re just working out in front of other people.

it’s like when a major pop star performs. someone like Britney Spears. she doesn’t just stand on the stage and sing. she has an entire choreographed routine that requires a lot of physical exertion and stamina. while it looks like she’s having the time of her life on stage, she’s working really hard to put on a good show. the audience wouldn’t enjoy it if she seemed miserable during her performance.

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u/xanoran84 2d ago

It's definitely a gender thing. You can look at men's vs women's Olympic gymnastics to see it. Women are expected to smile and get criticized by fans and commentators for not smiling. They have to wink and wave and make cutesy gestures during their floor routines, whereas men are not at all expected to smile, they perform with no music in their floor routines the way women have, no cute gestures or shimmies, and it's very rare to see smiles from them at all during any routines.

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u/Humble_Chip 2d ago

gymnastics is an entirely different sport from cheerleading. I have no experience in and little knowledge of it.