Child_Beauty_Pageants__a_Glitzy_Circus

“And the winner is…” In that moment, the little girls hold their breath in the seemingly long pause. This is the moment they have all been waiting for; to find out who will be crowned Grand Supreme. Finding out the winner will be is the most exciting part for most girls, but there are some girls among them filled with nervousness when hearing who will take this prestigious title. “Rylan Lee from Houston, Texas!” Livie Cromey looks out into the crowd to her mother with a weary look of shame under her plastic smile, fake tan, and goby make-up. She knows that this pageant mom will not be happy once she leaves the stage. This is the classic reaction at most glitz and even small child beauty pageants. Some would believe this teaches their children overall redeeming qualities and it boosts their self confidence, but that is just the parents. What about the children' Sometimes the parents, mostly mothers, get so involved and pushy during competitions that what started out as a fun event turns into a miserable experience for the child. A pageant is supposed to provide a happy, fun environment for the children who compete, not a crazy, glitz-filled circus. Growing up, I was taught that beauty is only skin deep and that my real beauty was within. We were all told to love people for who they are and not what they look like, but everyday pageant parents contradict these morals by entering their 5 year old child to compete in a “game” where winning and losing solely depends on how much make up they can wear and how well their beauty shows on stage. Devon Hoover argues, “Many children are never even given a choice; they are simply pushed into it by parents who vicariously thrive on their adorable offspring. Contestants develop a sense of self worth and acceptance based on how pretty they are” (para. 9). In this, Hoover is correct. Pageant parents look at their child’s success as their own and don’t give them an option on whether they can participate or not. By doing this, parents ultimately are telling their children it’s okay to get by on looks. Most parents also take these pageants all too seriously. Their children want to enter because it’s fun for them and they can have a chance at winning a title, but parents see it as almost a sport. They push their kids to be better and prettier than everyone else because to them, losing is not an option. Nikki Bernard and Ashleigh McKinstry recall a story a friend of theirs had told them about her experience with a pageant when she was only four years old. “After the pageant, a mother of one of the other contestants spanked her daughter because she did not win the contest” (para. 2). Extreme' I think so. On top of the mixed morals and ridicule of parents, the children in these contests are taught “losing is not an option”, which can put all too unnecessary stress on a young child. Not only do children experience stress; but these pageant beauties are not in touch with the reality of other “normal” kids their age, as well as their stage of development. School, play, preserving their innocence and purity, and instilling important values are things pageant parents have stolen from their youthful offspring; and in doing so have rushed them through a crucial developmental process, which helps them form who they will be as adults. So, here’s the age old question: What do these children get out of pageants' A sparkly crown and big shiny trophy, while their pushy parents reap their child beauty’s success' A trophy just sits and collects dust on a mantle, while personal experiences, morals, and a good education can go anywhere. While there are negatives to child beauty pageants, some would say the positives can outweigh them. The biggest point these people like to make is that it is empowering and teaches children discipline and self confidence. These parents and children devote several hours a day, not to mention several thousand dollars for each pageant, to make sure everything is completely perfect. Most pageant children have a trainer who helps them stay in shape and work on their walks, talks, and looks. The pageant contestants practice their talents to the point of over-perfection, if it’s even possible, before entering a competition. By practicing every day, these beauties can feel like they did their best at each pageant without feeling like they lost because of lack of commitment. Most parents think the only reason pageants and their children are being “attacked” is because of jealousy. Their girls get to learn to speak in a formal interview, walk with grace, and project confidence (Trujillo, para. 5). Parents believe Negative Nancy types who are criticizing these pageants need to attend one to see how much it is benefitting their young children. Like Wendy McElroy says, “It is time to lighten up and applaud beauty, not pathologize it” (para. 26). So, are child beauty pageants positive or negative' The answer to that question is, a little bit of both. There can be positives, but there are most definitely negatives that outweigh them. There is not an instant remedy to any of these negatives, which poses great concerns. The solution to ending these damaging effects of pageants is within both the parents and the children. If the child would like to be involved in these contests, then let them. This is where the pageant parent needs to step back and be the support system, not the crazed circus monkey, and let them compete and do it the child’s way; provided there is a healthy balance among pageants, school, and play. Also, if the child does not get Grand Supreme, the world will not end. Instead of say, spanking a child for not winning, give constructive criticism and tell them all the things they did right and how beautiful they looked. Putting fun and happiness back into the glitzy pageant world will be tough work and might take some time, but with the help of everyone involved in these high class contests it can be done. Child beauty pageants have evolved over the years into a crazy world of glitz and glamour where everyone focuses solely on who wins and who loses and who can be prettier than who. Children who compete in these “circus acts” come out, yes with maybe a trophy and crown, but also without many experiences, morals, and education. Sure they have the looks that can get them far in their pageant work, but when that fades, where does that leave them' Pushing children into these high stress situations ultimately drives a wedge between the pageant beauty and their parents. Bringing a satisfying compromise to the glitzy pageant world will build happier, healthier relationships between the parents and children involved. As little Livie Cromey shuffles off the stage and reluctantly moves towards her mother, she is surprised to see her grinning from ear to ear. “Mommy, why are you so happy'” She stares at her mother, silently and nervously awaiting her answer. “Because I am so proud of you, Livie. You did wonderfully and you looked beautiful!”   References Bernard, N., & McKinstry, A. (n.d.). The pros and cons of beauty pageants. In The arkatech online edition. Retrieved December 11, 2009, from http://arkatech.atu.edu Hoover, D. (2001, February 22). Child beauty pageants: Are they positive or poisonous' In College media network. Retrieved December 11, 2009, from http://media.www.collegian.com McElcroy, W. (2010). There’s nothing wrong with beauty pageants. In Opposing viewpoints resource center. Retrieved December 7, 2009, from Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center database. (EJ3010601206) Reed, B. (2010). Child beauty pageants should be eliminated. In Opposing viewpoints resource center. Retrieved December 7, 2009, from Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center database. (EJ3010601216) Trujillo, J. (2007, November 26). I was a teenage beauty queen (My turn). In Student resource center gold. Retrieved December 7, 2009, from Student Resource Center Gold database. (A171554969)