Essay On Child Beauty Pageants

Child beauty pageants started in Miami, Florida in the 1960’s, and since then have spread all across the country and even worldwide. During that time they have been influenced by how America has changed over the course and how women are seen. These little girls “strut” across the stage in sportswear, swim wear, formal clothing and showing off their hard working talent. America has contributed greatly to the progression of child beauty pageants and although not all bad, it is clear to see what aspects of beauty pageants are influenced by American culture.

Something I see in beauty pageants that reflects American culture is the overwhelming fact that Americans are obsessed with body image. Girls at an early age are expected to be skinny and look like Victoria Secret models. We have instilled the idea of looking perfect into young girl’s everyday life to where they are “growing up” at younger ages and feel the need to fit that image at a younger age. Martina Cartwright, who has a PhD and has studied child beauty pageants said in her article “Child Beauty Pageants Give Children Unrealistic Expectations”

that “hypercritical environment of our youth produces a drive towards the unattainable goal of physical perfection.” Everywhere around our young girls, they are surrounded by standards at which they feel they should meet. Whether they see it on billboards in their home city or on television, they are constantly reminded of an image of girls that are an impossible form of thin. Do you ever see the guy going after the heavier set, or normal looking girls in the movies? No. We’re all used to them going for the girl caked in makeup, accessories, revealing clothing and fancy hair. So it’s to no surprise that in beauty pageants you see 8 year olds wearing more makeup then a top model and showing more midriff than in a bikini.
Another factor that I can see in beauty pageants that reflects to American culture is the concept of money. We all know about the “American Dream”, white picket fence, house on the hill, and the list goes on. You know once you reach that “dream” then you can claim yourself as successful. But to get to that point you have to have money. Believe it or not, child beauty pageants are all about the money. Starting from the beginning; you want to enter your child in a beauty pageant, which costs around $400. Then all the outfits and makeup and training she will need will end up costing thousands of dollars. Only to end up with a generous prize of $1000 (at most.) In “Toddlers in Tiaras”, Skip Hollandsworth states an estimated 250,000 American girls participate in more than 5,000 beauty pageants a year.” In other words, repeat the process 250,000 times. Beauty pageants are a business. It’s not about the girls having fun and experiencing something incredible, it is a business that is making millions and millions off of little girls. We’re teaching children to be invested in something that may or may not benefit their future, but can put many parents into debt. We need to teach girls that they can get far in life without depending on their looks.
Not everything we witness in beauty pageants is all crazy.

One thing America has taught its youth is that you need to have ambition for something. That is clearly evident in beauty pageants. Pageants give young girls a chance to experience a competitive atmosphere at a young age which is very beneficial. Most kids don’t have the maturity and drive to be dedicated to an activity so time consuming. These girls have learned to love what beauty pageants bring to them and take full advantage of what they learn. Beauty pageants aren’t all about beauty. They require kids to have a talent which can potentially lead to a successful career. It teaches them confidence which is crucial to have in the workforce to stand up or yourself. Gaining self-confidence at a young age will definitely benefit a child as they will be more open to opportunities presented to them in the

future.
American culture is without a doubt reflected in child beauty pageants. America’s obsession with self- image is reflected in beauty pageants and the amount of money that goes into pageants will definitely affect the future of the girls involved. Even though child pageants can teach ambition and dedication to young girls, beauty pageants overall put an excessive amount of pressure on how women are supposed to look skinny and flawless. We can blame that on American culture and the influence it has on our girls and how they should be perceived to the world. Because as the famous words of Beyoncé Knowles, “Perfection is a disease of a nation.”