Banning Children's Beauty Pageants

In conclusion, beauty pageants aren't good for kids at young ages. By competing in these pageants, young girls are sexualized by adults, the kids are too young to say no, and too much hairspray is bad for their health. Children should no longer be forced to compete in these types of events. It is not

First, we will talk about how child beauty pageants started. The upbringing of child beauty pageants is very interesting. It started off with “Pageants celebrating female beauty and charm being fixture at fairs and festivals the U.S. since the 19th century”(Hilboldt), and then “Their rise in popularity probably dates back to 1954, when the miss America pageants was first broadcasted on TV”(Hilboldt). “In 1960, a miami broadcaster hosted the first locally televised pageant for children, Little Miss universes”(Hilboldt). Around “The 1980’s child pageants had become an inextricable part of life in the South…”(Hilboldt). Pageants have dated back for centuries, but did not rise in popularity until it was first broadcasted on TV. Furthermore, the number of kids that participate in beauty pageants is eminence. A majority of little girls wanted to be in pageants, because “They began dreaming of one day becoming Miss America”(Hilboldt). With so many kids in pageants “It’s estimated that 25,000 children compete in more than 5,000 pageants in the U.S. each year”(Hilboldt). It is crazy how many little girls participate in beauty pageants each year just so they can hopefully become the next Miss America. While beauty pageants are still relevant and legal in the U.S. France is trying to ban them. “France is considering a move to ban beauty pageants for girls under 16 as a way to fight the hyper-sexualization of children”(“France”). While,“Under the proposal, organizers of beauty pageants aimed at young children...could face up to two years in prison and fines of $40,000”(“France”). Also, “The measure is a part of of a wider law on gender equality and was approved by the French Senate after garnering 197 votes in favor of the ban,

“When they are a little bit overweight, that’s not gonna cut it. You don’t want to see a chubby child on stage. You have to have the barbie look.” a mom on Toddlers and Tiaras said. Now available to children, around 250,000 girls compete in beauty pageants each year. These pageants have had damaging consequences on them. Child beauty pageants need to be banned because they sexualize young girls, put too much pressure on them to win, and lead them to focus too much on beauty.

Beauty Pageants over sexualizes little girls at a young age. As it seen in “Toddlers and Tiaras” a show by TLC show, little girls are being sexualized at a young age, by introducing them to hair extensions, make up, flippers (fake teeth), sexualized dresses. According to Paul Peterson, president and founder of A Minor Consideration, beauty pageants are “feeding the sex industry (Agadoni).” Girls are not physically ready to wear make up or hair extensions, and all of that just hides the natural beauty of a child making them more self conscious about themselves at such a young age. Little girls are going to think of themselves as not beautiful because they hide their real selves behind a ton of make up.

When I hear the word toddler I think of little girls walking around in mommy’s shoes, and miss matched clothing (because she’s getting to the age where she likes to dress herself.) And of course a cute smile that’s missing a few teeth. The word glitz, glamour and sashes don’t come to mind. Nor does the image of a little girl who’s fake from head to toe. Wearing wigs, flippers (fake teeth), inappropriate /reveling attire and fake tans. I don’t think of little girls dancing around a stage in front of hundreds of people getting judged on their “beauty.” Well, that is exactly what children’s pageants consist of. Pageants exploit a child for their outer beauty, their talents and over all perfection or as pageant judges would call it having” the

Children beauty pageant should be banned because it is an indirect child abuse, cause financial strain and affects children’s behaviour.

The world is a beautiful thing but society has corrupted it to the point only perfection can be appealing. Pageants display what society finds attractive. Contests held like this are only toxic for young minds because they only influence their views of beauty. Media has evolved this into the competitive game that’s seen today. Parents should stop participating their children in beauty pageants because they cause psychological problems, unrealistic standards, and social prejudice.

The world of child beauty pageants is similar to the twilight zone. It’s hard to believe that children as young as 2, have hair extensions, professional grade makeup, and spray tans. TLC’s hit television show “Toddlers & Tiara’s”, depicts the horrifying and true events of what actually goes on in these pageants. Nationally broadcasting the inherent sexualization of little girls for all to see has become completely desensitized. The lasting effects that preforming in beauty pageants has on girls who have been through years of competing is far greater than the trophies and tiara’s displayed on their shelves. Dressing toddlers in costumes, forcing them to dance and parade around on stage only to be judged on who is the prettiest by adults is sick and disturbed.

A child beauty pageant is a beauty contest for children younger than 16. The girls are judged based on individuality in looks, capability, poise, perfection and confidence, which the judges call, "the complete package". The contestants compete to win a variety of prizes and trophies: the trophies being taller than the girls themselves. In my opinion, child beauty pageants should be banned, as they are destructive to childhoods and futures.

Everyday across the country thousands of children are dress up to compete in pageants based on who is the cutest. The children are judged on their personalities, goals, and outfits. This does not seem so bad at first glance and really it is not. The problem starts when children are put in make up padded bras high heels and swim suits then sent down a catwalk with hundreds of people looking at them. This is where child beauty pageants cross the line.

Although there are massive amounts of negatives that go along with child beauty pageants, there are also some positive aspects to them. Some women have gained a great deal of success from entering into beauty

The portion of child pageants that people are not really fond of, is the aspect of young girls having the appearance of adults. The phrase “Growing up too fast” is used to characterized child pageants greatly. Young girls are trained to look and act a certain way in order to win someones approval. These girls are being taught that in order to be considered beautiful you must look, act, and dress a certain way. When did being chubby, having pale skin or missing teeth become an issue for children. Physical perfection should not be on the minds of young girls at such tender ages; instead they should focus more towards being indivduals not

Child beauty pageants have been around for ages. Many people make a big deal out of them because of all the glitz and glam. I believe that there is nothing wrong with them, the affect a child’s development. They teach kids a lot of things. They’re beneficial because they teach the kids endurance, help them with their self-esteem/confidence, and mature them quickly than the rest. From being in the pageants, the kids learn to sit still for a long period of time, respect others, mature quickly, etc.

In conclusion, child beauty pageants should be banned because they not only put financial burden on families, mislead children’s values, but also do harm to their physical health. So why not ban those contests in order to create a healthy environment for kids to grow up?

Did you know children in beauty pageants take up to 10 pixie sticks as a pre-pageant boost and parents spend thousands of dollars on dresses and makeup for their children to compete? I think beauty pageants are wrong and thousands of dollars are spent just so the child can win something they may not have even signed up to do. Beauty pageants are a time for children to be dressed up in expensive dresses and put onto a stage. Parents enter these children, and because lots of them are so young, that the children can't say no and not do it compared to older children who can have a choice. Young children shouldn't be allowed to enter beauty pageants because they can cause harmful effects on the children which will harm their future.