The 'wonderful' world of pageants
Updated
Oh my God, a toddler should not be made up to look like this:
Note: the previous photos have been removed by the original source, so here's a lovely video. The images may continue to change, but I stand by my opinion, no matter how many personal insults continue to come my way. I can't see anyone changing anyone else's mind on this one.
Lindsay from Surburban Turmoil was a spectator at a recent child beauty pageant in Texas, and she witnessed the trials and tribulations of the little beauty queens.
Check out her funny, sad, and enlightening stories:
Barbie Girls
The Problem with Pageants
I just can't comprehend the rationale of people who put their little ones in beauty pageants. It's one thing if a teenager or adult makes a choice to be in one (although I'm still not a big fan), but forcing your 2-year old to wear wigs, false teeth, and parade around on stage when they don't want to be up there?! That's so much pressure for a child.
I want my children to be able to stay kids for as long as possible.
I love this exchange between Lindsay and her 3-year old daughter, after watching the pageant:
“Did you have fun today?” I asked her as I strapped her in for the ride home.
“Yeah,” she replied.
“Hey, you don’t want to be in a pageant like those crazy babies, do you?”
“No!” she shouted. “I wanna crush bad guys! An’…big spiders!”
Thank God.
Update: Okay, comment moderation has been turned on, and foul comments have been deleted and will not be approved. I don't have time to deal with personal attacks (all coming, interestingly enough, from people who have only been registered on Blogger for a day). If someone has a persuasive argument, I'll post it. Otherwise, don't waste your time and mine.
Update: Also in the category of 'Ways To Sexualize Your Child Way Too Young'... I bring you:
Yes folks, you read that right. Click on the link above for the news article. IzzyMom and Feministing have more information on the "bralettes", which are being sold by Target in Australia.
Technorati tags: beauty pageant, body image, children's clothing
Posted in: body image, fashion and beauty on September 15, 2006
This is the single scariest thing I've seen today. Are you sure the parents can't be charged with child abuse or something? Because reall, I don't like the odds of those kids growing up to being even half way normal if their parents are subjected to this kind of thing that young.
Can you imagine what sort of a teenagehood those kids will have if their parents are like this NOW? Sheesh. I'm surprised that those pageants are legal, really. Poor, poor girls.... come to think of it, is there a male equivalent for little boys?
Thanks for all your sweet comments.
For those who have concerns about copyright, I have linked the thumbnails back to their original source, and they are used as 'fair use', a legal exception to copyright.
Jokeronmars, I have no idea who Cali-Reese is, but I will certainly replace her photo if you specify which child she is.
Jokeronmars - the blonde or brunette in blue?
Done.
Hi Val, the photos have been rotated. Sorry for the delay, I was out of town.
I agree that there's not enough time in the world to debate this issue! ;) There are plenty of people with viewpoints on all sides of the issue, and I'm sure we're all tired of it by now. I appreciate your polite request, by the way.
What's with all the wacko parents who come here ranting and raving like lunatics? Maybe if they spoke intelligently about their beloved pageants people would better understand why it's so fricken fantabulous to parade your small child around while they're made up like hookers.
This scares me too that people will actually do this. I must admit however that my mom wants me to enter my 5 month old in the local Teeny Tiny Miss Swee' Pea Pageant. I have been considering it just because I think it would be nice to meet some new people in the area and maybe make some friends with kids her age to play with. Luckily this pageant is very strict about now fake hair, eylashes, and no makeup for her age the older age groups have to have age appropriate attire and makeup none of that babydoll stuff that makes a 5 yr old look like a teenager of worse a very little trashy adult. I think it might be nice just once for the reason stated earlier bc we dont have friends in the area and don't know anyone with kids her age. They don't even care how fancy the dress is and all the contestants get medals. First place gets trophy crown and sash, 2nd and 3rd get trophy and sash and all others get medals and titles of future Queens. She won't even remember this but I think it would be cute for her babybook to have a little Queen medal. I wouldn't want to put her in any pageants after this unless she chooses too which she may like to do later with her older cousins they have been in the older divisions the last couple of years and love having a day centered around them putting on pretty dresses and winning something even if they arent first. My girl will probably end up like mommy a tomboy till the very end, which is just fine with me.
Beauty peagant should be ILLEGAL! I saw little girls cry in tanning booth while their fat ugly mothers were yelling at them to stay still. Who put children through this?? This society has lost all sense of respect and dignity. I've heard a little girl say, "my mum doesn't like me if I'm pale!!!!"
This is pure exploitation and this must be banned.. whomever think beauty pageants are normal and like any other hobbies, is a really sick and BAD mother.
So, you Miss Pageantmommy! Leave your child alone and stop grading her on how she looks. Shame on you for allowing her to be in an environemnet that requires her to take sexy poses and be dolled up like a small hooker.
Shame on you!
What I am extremely confused about is the fact that most of the people insulting " us pageant mothers" have never been to a pageant. All pageants are not about glitz, but that seems to be the only pageants anyone every posts pictures in regards to. There is an entire circuit of pageants that are strictly natural. This means no make-up, no tanning, no false lashes and no age inappropriate clothing. Now with that said, I do not see any of you insulting Miss America. Do you think that those women are competing in there first pageant? NO!! It takes time to learn the skills to take part in a pageant. Pageants build confidence, poise, public speaking ability and good healthy competition. These pageants are no different than competing in sports, it is not always the most beautiful child whom wins. I say child because there are just as many boys as there are girls that compete in the pageant world today. To say that we are abusing our children is a major overstep on the part of the accusers. Have any of you been to a ballpark lately? Parents screaming at there small children, belittling them because they made one wrong move. I would say that falls more along the lines of abuse. The point is I myself have never encountered a single girl at a pageant that did not want to be there, simply because there would be no point. If your child is not happy and having a good time on that stage you will not win. Now as a mother whom has both participated in pageants and sat on several judging panels, I would say to all you that do not agree with pageants. I am sure upon scrutiny from other parents, your parenting skills could be picked apart piece by piece, finding many things that are not agreed upon. However since you are the parent, as am I, I believe that is your choice to make and no once else has any right to judge you for it. Especially since most of you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.