American Culture Manifesting In Child Beauty Pageants

American Culture Manifesting in Child Beauty Pageants Growing up in America, there exists innumerable outlets and opportunities in which young children can engage to explore their character, develop their interests and showcase their talents. Since the 1960’s, child beauty pageants have begun to forge their way a place in American culture, slowly weaving their way into the fabric of the nation. The basic ideas on which child pageantry is founded encompass the core fundamentals of American culture. Child beauty pageants are, in essence, “an event created to reward children for their appearance and personality.” As a nation that thrives on individuality, such competitions are the embodiment of American culture. While there are a myriad of

Pessimism is the order of the day somewhere, but not here.” Americans and those who strive to make their way to America are motivated by the wonder and excitement of the American Dream, “the traditional social ideals of the United States such as equality, democracy, and material prosperity.” Being an American means having protection over your right to pursue happiness, whatever that may be. Child beauty pageants serve as an outlet for these young girls to grow without judgment as they and those surrounding them are striving for the intoxicating joy of the thrill. It is an invigorating atmosphere for them to explore, full of glitz and the promise of happiness. Although many argue that the mothers of the contestants often attempt to live vicariously through their children, it would be ignorant to claim that the young girls do not benefit from the merriment and enthusiasm of it all. The optimism, the innate desire for amusement and satisfaction, is an idea manifested in the creation and production of

From hit shows like Little Miss Perfect and Toddlers and Tiaras to books such as Susan Anderson’s High Glitz: The Extravagant World of Child Beauty Pageants, all the way to the big screen with movies like Little Miss Sunshine, child pageantry is becoming ever more relevant by the day. Stars like Eden Wood can transpire from such media connections. Hollandsworth quotes Wood’s mother, Mickie, fawning over her daughter, “strangers come up to her and ask her for her autograph,” she says. “They call her America’s sweetheart… for a family from a poor little town in Arkansas, this is like a fairy tale come true” (495). Gaining popularity with the masses, these mainstream media developments only prove the growing acceptance and fascination child beauty pageants are earning from