Child beauty pageants were first introduced to people as a sort of entertainment for both the children and adults of the community. These were natural beauty pageants. Today, a beauty pageant is defined as a competition in which the participants, usually women, are judged on their attractiveness, with a prize, and often a title, awarded to the winner. How did a harmless hobby become so fierce? Because of glitz pageants, which stress only beauty, I believe that child beauty pageants should be banned.
Although the original concept of beauty pageants was less distasteful, I still believe that participants should compete because they want to and not because their parents want them to compete. Although participation in beauty pageants can build
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Vernon R. Wiehe, professor in the University of Kentucky College of Social Work, states, "sexualization occurs through little girls wearing adult women's clothing in diminutive sizes, the use of makeup which often is applied by makeup consultants, spray tanning the body, the dying of hair and the use of hair extensions, and assuming provocative postures more appropriate for adult models". The participants are often judged on the same criteria as the adult beauty pageants. The children and adults are both judged on: beauty, personality (congeniality), formal wear, swim wear and talent. The children are often dressed in revealing and tight outfits. This may subject them to paedophiles which is a form of abuse too.
Parents, most times subconsciously abuse their children by entering them into beauty pageants especially Glitz pageants. A toddler should not be screaming and begging their parents to not wax their brows or put on very tight costumes. Children should not be begging to eat a bigger portion of their meals. Forcing children and not giving them an opportunity to express themselves or choose what they would like to do can be perceived as child neglect.
Although I do think that beauty pageants should be banned, one thing that I admire about beauty pageants is the support the child receives from their families and communities. I strongly believe that a child’s self-confidence and will to do things is 10x better when they know that the people that love them believe in them and support them. The bond between the child and her supporter gets
Most young girls like to play dress up in they’re mother’s clothing and messily put on old makeup at least once when they are young. This is all in good nature for the child to express them self’s and have fun with it; after all they are just curious. But pageants are not harmless fun, they take innocent dressing up to a whole new level with fake hair, professional caked on makeup, fake eyelashes, spray tans, fake teeth, and tons of embellished outfits that are sometimes vary improper. With all of this the kids also have to learn routines and poses that are also sometime not appropriate for young girls. According to Wiehe, “to the child, a message is given that sexuality- expressed in clothing, makeup, and certain postures- is appropriate and even something to exploit.” (493) I’m sure not all young girls will come up with this message, but for some that have been doing pageants for years that might think that their only self worth is their body
At some point every single one of us was once an innocent child without a care in the world. The only thing that mattered was to make sure we had fun. There are many different things children do to have fun. Some children love to go outside and get dirty, others prefer to stay indoors and play pretend. Some girls love to play tea time or pretend to be princess. In some cases those pretend fantasies become true. Little girls get the chance to actually become a small little princess for a day. The only place that allows little girls to become a princess is at a child beauty pageant. Unfortunately throughout the years these pageants for little girls have been criticized and rejected by other people. There are many articles that discuss the reasons why child beauty pageants are rejected but there are also some that discuss the importance of them.
Look at child beauty pageants. Notice that the girl’s childhood is filled with sparkly dresses and makeup. They are trying to grow up to fast and if they continue on this path they could turn out like a “special” celebrity. These kid’s faces have foundation, fake eyelashes with mascara, and bright lipstick. On top of that they are wearing clothes that aren’t appropriate for kids. If they continue to act the way they do now the next generation of girls to be total brats. Some psychology experts believe that these pageants are teaching children to act and dress about ten years above their age. Therefor child beauty pageants should be banned.
" In the end, children’s beauty pageants are essentially harmful to both young girls safety and minds. It may not happen to some, but most of the young girls that compete in beauty pageants seem to have a bit of an attitude towards their parents and other people who will not cooperate with them.... ... middle of paper ... ...
With parents putting their children in public with such inappropriate clothing can lead to the danger of a child’s life. The pageant industry doesn’t give out warning to the parents of putting their children in a risk condition that can target them. In Christine Tamer’s article claims that children’s beauty pageants are a form of child sexualization, “these sexualized images can serve to normalize abusive practices such as child abuse, child pornography, and child prostitution.” Tamer also claimed that because of pageants is media related, it can attract pedophiles and can result of a murder just like what had happened to a six year old pageant girl, JonBenet Ramsey, who won a half dozen of beauty crowns. Ramsey disappeared after Christmas
Pageants are forcing young children to grow up faster than they need to, but because of pageants kids are also at a higher risk of other things that anyone should have to worry about. Sexual assault in kids is a growing problem facing our world today. Pageants are not helping this
They have to spend time on their routines, hair, outfits and makeup. What people don’t see is that getting involved in things like this can help a child not sit on the couch for hours instead of doing something productive. "Say what you want about these little girls, but spending hours learning and practicing is a much better way to spend one’s time than glued to a TV screen like most other kids" (Foley). Foley is an active supporter of beauty pageants. Studies show that while kids go through their development they don’t want to do much but sit inside and watch TV. Being in the pageants keeps them going all the time. From doing their dance routine over and over to perfecting their smile for the judges. "I understand the irony in promoting “Beauty Without Barriers” in a beauty pageant, but the pageants that I participate in and coach other young women for are scholarship organizations that require women to be poised, elegant, talented, and well-spoken" (Nooruddin). Beauty pageants teach young ladies how to respectful and responsible. Not all pageants are about makeup and hair. Some pageants show you how to be respectful, responsible and elegant. This can help in the future and teach kids how to be a well-mannered adolescent. This can help in future opportunities that can lead to having good jobs and getting into which ever industry they’d like to. It makes them appear much more
The lights are all on you, the make-up, the hair, and the extravagant dresses. Your blood pumps with adrenaline; you feel nervous, yet excited. All eyes are on you; the pretty girl strutting across the stage in ostentatious costumes that flicker once caught in the light. Many people have witnessed a beauty pageant whether it is one on television or stage. Not many are in denial of the lovability of the younger aged children executing their talents in front of crowds. Beauty pageants have been around since the 1920’s setting a trend in the American society, but the history of beauty pageants began in Troy and Ancient China, where the contestants consisted of sculptors, actors, poets, philosophers and public speakers etc. (Children and Beauty Pageants) Beauty Pageants consist of many age groups ranging from newborns to about twenty years of age. Girls between the ages of three to thirteen should not participate in beauty pageants.
The effects accruing from beauty pageant competitions matter significantly. From an ethical perspective, we have to weigh the positive benefits against the negative benefits on individuals and society. This provides the best yardstick for making appropriate judgment about beauty pageants. Based on this platform, it is clear that beauty pageants pose numerous, detrimental effects on society. This makes it meaningful to ban beauty pageants.
Modern beauty contests started in the United States of America in 1880 with the first Miss United States bathing beauty contest held at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Since then, beauty pageants had been popular in many parts of the world. Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International, participated in every year by more than fifty countries, ceaselessly attracts huge audiences and supporters. The biggest, the Miss World competition, had been running annually since 1951, and although it is less popular in the UK now than it was in 1968, when it attracted 27.5 million TV viewers, it still attracts an enormous worldwide audience of up to 3 billion viewers in 120 countries. [1] Although the main purpose of these pageants are to empower women, the crowned winners are also traveling around the world in order to support causes like HIV/AIDS and children's charity organizations. [2] Due to the success of these internationally produced pageants, various beauty contests for different classes of age, sex and sexuality stemmed up. However, even with the huge diversity, the content of each pageants have almost always been the same: all of them are comprised of the mainstream categories like swimwear portion and evening gown portion. With these content, beauty pageants gives out strong messages regarding what the ideal type of woman is, hence undermining the purpose of a beauty pageant: to empower women. Thus, although beauty pageants contribute to the entertainment of the masses, it promotes an ideal of female beauty that only a minority of women can realistically aspire, objectifies women, further advances cultural insensitivity among its candidates and uses up too much resources which is why it should be banned.
So in the end, they may not be terrible. I do not think little kids should be allowed to do pageants, but when they are older and know better it is okay. We have talked about pros and cons and whys and woes and why pageants should be banned and whether or not they are exploitative or beneficial. So the question still remains; Are beauty pageants harmful or beneficial to young children? Who is to say whether or not they are good or bad? Maybe one day down the road, all these tiny tots that are doing pageants now will grow up to be doctors and lawyers and help for greater good.
Pageants have been a controversial topic since the start of them. The idea of a pageant really is degrading. Girls compete to be prettier than the ones in competition around them. The winner receives a crown and is made out to be a queen for doing nothing but walking across a stage. Character has no importance, nor does skill.
Many people are against beauty pageants, because people think that pageants are sexist, judgmental, and degrading of women. Do beauty pageants still serve their purpose in society? Yes, many contestants gain a lot by doing pageants. Contestants of any age and gender have their benefits from doing pageants.
The pint-size stars pile on fake hair, heavy makeup, and even false teeth before taking the stage. Many kids wear revealing clothing that critics say aren’t age appropriate.” (Anastasia, Laura) Pageant participants range from ages six months to sixteen years, depending on what competition section they are a part of, and participate in categories of swimsuits, talent, evening wear, and themed costumes. Most girls at these young ages wear overalls and pigtails rather than slinky ensembles and fake hair that overwhelms their features.
Pageants have a way of exploiting children by changing their looks and attitudes to make them more adult like and entertaining; dressing children in bikinis or provocative costumes just to be judged by how well they wear it and how pretty they are is demeaning and cruel. Children should not be taught that looks are everything and you get everything you want in life because when they're older it will be harder for them to accept reality. Imitating the fashion and looks of an adult is not how a child should grow up. A parent should want their child to grow up knowing that they are naturally beautiful and their personality and smarts can get them far in life rather than beauty beats brains, correct?