Stereotypes In Beauty Pageants

665 Words2 Pages

Even though there might be a lot of confidence on behalf of some of the children participants in the beauty pageantries, negative outcomes can also be presented in some other children participants, such as low self-esteem and serious health issues. When children compete with their opponents in a beauty pageant competence, confidence within the children may rise. Words of encouragement from their peers may be the only factor pushing them in order to feel and be better, as well as strive to be the winner of the contest. Confidence and high self-esteem can also be acquired when little girls, for example, utilize makeup and dress up in cute dresses, skirts, and even heels. While boosting confidence is great way for children, such as little girls, …show more content…

Since a lot of confidence is being emphasized throughout the contest to go out and be the best performer, it can be draining and damaging to a child’s confidence and self-esteem – even after the beauty pageantry. If the child loses the beauty pageantry, it can take a toll on them emotionally and physically. Losing a contest that the child has put so much focus and energy on, might make the child feel bad, not good enough, and even ugly. It can lead to doubt in themselves, not only in their everyday normal lives, but it can impact them for the rest of their lives. Feeling ‘not good enough’ due to losing in the beauty pageantry can also lead young children to severe depression, eating disorders, anorexia and bulimia, and image obsessions. According to Cartwright, “Many experts agree that participation in activities that focus on physical appearance at an early age can influence teen and/or adult self-esteem, body image and self-worth. Issues with self-identity after a child "retires" from the pageant scene in her teens are not uncommon” …show more content…

Being girly is always fun in the beauty pageantry world. When rocking cute outfits to catwalk in, girls become aware of their bodies and their physical appearance that they project while modeling. However, the beauty contest is all about competing with girls from all different shapes, sizes, skin tones, and nationalities. Due to every girl being completely different from each other, often time this causes awareness within the girl’s conscience because comparisons start being made and noticed. Beauty pageantries may be a hit-in-the-face realization when they become aware of how they look versus how they should look comparing their physical appearance to other girls in the competition, famous supermodels, and even the Barbie dolls they play with. Although thin waists, slim faces, contoured and defined cheek bones, and long legs are the beauty contestant girl’s idealization, their reality is far from it. The reality of their body complexion does not always live up to their expectation, which causes them to be self-conscious and aware of their body and physical

Open Document