cheer

Looking the Other Way

This topic is not about guys in sexual purity support and recovery programs, using the tool of looking the other way when they see something triggering or sexual.  This topic is about parents looking the other way while society sexualizes their daughters!

Seriously parents, what are you thinking allowing your daughters to dress in skimpy clothes, especially during sports training and events?  I was at a gymnastics place recently to visit a friend whose daughter is starting off in the sport (popular name of facility withheld).  I even brought my oldest daughter to watch the workouts to see if she would be interested in participating in the sport.  Although my friend’s daughter was modestly dressed, about 90% of the other girls in this place were working out in their underwear!  Seriously! What is wrong with the parents of these girls that you would allow them to wear, or not wear, these clothes?  I was appalled at the sexualization of these young girls both teenagers and even pre-teens!  I was more disgusted at the parents (especially those who claim to be Christians) that “support” their daughters in this type of activity.  Horrified is a much better description of what I felt at the attire and the parents.  Has your moral standard and soul been sold just so that your daughter can be part of this popular gymnastics or cheer team?

I will take a step back and try to understand because I don’t have much knowledge of the “sport” in which these girls compete.  I understand that some sports require certain uniforms or padding for performance or protection.  Take, for instance, the football player who is required to wear padding (and a helmet) to protect them from the physical blows of the sport.  Baseball players wear a helmet at the plate while batting; catchers wear a lot more padding to protect their bodies.  All use gloves for fielding the baseball.  Are the skin tight, super-short, underwear shorts and a sports bra required to perform gymnastics or cheerleading stunts?  I personally don’t see the need in wearing this attire while “working out” or “training” at this gym where a dryfit t-shirt, or longer shorts/spandex tights could serve better or be less revealing.  Much less do I see the need to wear skimpy clothes while competing in the events.  This isn’t a swimming event, right?  (Don’t get me started on why your daughters need to wear one-piece bathing suits at the pool – at least until they are 18)  The sad reality is, without proper parenting and healthy boundaries, these girls don’t know any better and they actually enjoy exposing a majority of their bodies to the public.

Maybe I’m just a prude who does not support my daughters dressing in such tight and revealing clothing.  Maybe I look too deeply into this subject because I have two daughters.  Or maybe, just maybe, in the hundreds of recovery meetings I have attended, I have heard too many stories about guys fantasizing (even fantasizing about these girls while having sex with their wife!) or masturbating to these girls and how they are dressed?  Sorry to be the bearer of bad news parents, but somewhere, some sick individual is getting off to your daughter’s skimpy gymnastics and cheerleading outfits.  It is disgusting and horrible, but it is the truth.  Allow your daughter to dress like that and you are essentially giving men the right to objectify and dehumanize her.  Parents, take a stand for what is moral and what is godly.  Parents, educate your daughters on sexual purity issues and how they should dress.  Parents, lead your children by example.  Parents, stop looking the other way….

Take what you like and leave the rest.