What's the point of beauty pageants for little girls?

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by skychief

The "ick" factor is reflective of an adult's feelings of suspicion and moral justification. There is no "ick" factor to the pageant participants because they're not burdened with the pedophile suspicion and feelings of guilt and envy. All those negative thoughts are experienced by their parents.

Wasn't arguing that the children are burdened by that issue-- at least short term, but it does certainly seem untoward to the rest of us. Perhaps we've been raised to be too cynical by too many "very special episodes" of sitcoms as kids, or if it's a legit psychological response to what seems a bit of a perversion or, somewhere between. Regardless, my main issue is that it perpetuates the role of women as objects in society rather than as equal members capable of contributing in more meaningful ways.

[skychief]

Originally Posted by Unrepresented

Wasn't arguing that the children are burdened by that issue-- at least short term, but it does certainly seem untoward to the rest of us. Perhaps we've been raised to be too cynical by too many "very special episodes" of sitcoms as kids, or if it's a legit psychological response to what seems a bit of a perversion or, somewhere between. Regardless, my main issue is that it perpetuates the role of women as objects in society rather than as equal members capable of contributing in more meaningful ways.

I get what you're saying. Makes sense. But i would point out that men also participate in pageants (bodybuilding). And we don't see them as objects (well, maybe some folks do ).

Certainly, there are more socially acceptable outlets for young girls to participate in, but for those kids who genuinely want to participate, they (the child pageants) shouldn't be stigmatized due to the creeps and perverts who choose to exploit them.

[Unrepresented]

Originally Posted by skychief

I get what you're saying. Makes sense. But i would point out that men also participate in pageants (bodybuilding). And we don't see them as objects (well, maybe some folks do ).

The male bodybuilding competitions don't seem to have the same demand as the beauty contests, and there are bodybuilding contests that include women which focus much more on athleticism than the beauty contests seem to.

Originally Posted by skychief

Certainly, there are more socially acceptable outlets for young girls to participate in, but for those kids who genuinely want to participate, they (the child pageants) shouldn't be stigmatized due to the creeps and perverts who choose to exploit them.

They should be stigmatized for being a bad influence in general. Teach a kid that if they want recognition that there are more meaningful ways to get it.

[Pilgrim]

Beauty is one of the driving forces in US society. That's the reason it's a big deal.

Whether it's appropriate for the main factor in youth pageants is another matter.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by skychief

I get what you're saying. Makes sense. But i would point out that men also participate in pageants (bodybuilding). And we don't see them as objects (well, maybe some folks do ).

Certainly, there are more socially acceptable outlets for young girls to participate in, but for those kids who genuinely want to participate, they (the child pageants) shouldn't be stigmatized due to the creeps and perverts who choose to exploit them.

Body building is different. You spend years training to compete in those kinds of competitions.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by AudioDwebe

So I'm wondering: What do the pageants teach little girls?

That physical beauty not only matters, but that physical beauty is the ONLY thing that matters...

I swear, America is downright schizophrenic when it comes to the issue of female beauty - and especially when it comes to little girls. On the one hand, we say that we honor their innocence and their virtue, and that we want to protect them. On the other hand, we parade them around in public as miniature sex objects!

No wonder the perverts are so messed up and confused. Talk about mixed signals!

"Beauty pageants" for little girls? Creepy, creepy, creepy!

MM

[skychief]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Body building is different. You spend years training to compete in those kinds of competitions.

A bodybuilding competition is perfectly analogous to a beauty pageant. While they are not exactly the same, they are still people coming out on a stage to pose or flex or whatever to impress the viewers/judges.

Thats pretty much the same in my book.

[HaMMerHeD]

I think they mostly exist because someone felt Americans didn't have quite enough of which to be ashamed.

[blastoff99]

I wonder about the 'losers' in the pageant. Aren't we saying to them (when they're 9 or ten years old, or younger) that they didn't win and therefore are not as beautiful as others? It's pretty easy for the girl to make the leap from 'beautiful' to 'valuable,' it seems. I see self-image (and body image) problems galore here.

Maybe it's just like losing in sports or dance or music competitions, but I don't quite think so. Beauty pageants seem to place value on the wrong things in my mind.

OP, I'm weirded out with you. I don't know how close you are to your niece, but ... oh, I don't know. I wasn't about to suggest that you tell your brother to knock it off, but maybe you could take the girl fishing or something.

[pacojas]

@blastoff,...

great post front to back!

[runmikeyrun]

parents like to brag. That's all it is, it's an ego trip for parents who were probably jocks and cheerleaders in high school. 'Nuff said.

[AudioDwebe]

I really wish he'd stop all this beauty pageant nonsense for my niece and go back to concentrating on books and athletics! The ONLY positive I see is maybe some level of comfort in the public speaking arena, but I mostly see a lot of potential negatives for her young psyche.

And also, what does making such a huge deal of beauty pageants for the youngest daughter do to the psyche of her older sister (by about five years) who was never entered into such things?

This whole thing really bothers me, and I should talk to him about it. But talking to him is much like talking to a tree. He just doesn't listen. Or, it's more like, he'll listen, agree with me 100%, and turn right around and do the opposite.

He's a bit f'd up in the brain as a result, I feel, of being in an emotionally abusive relationship (as the recipient) for well over 15 years. He just doesn't seem to have the strength to break away from it. He went as far as divorcing his wife, only to turn right around and get married again within a year...on their old anniversary date, no less!

He's in need of an intervention, but unfortunately I'm in another state, as is my other brother. And my mom knows nothing but frustration watching her youngest son be emotionally abused for so many years and being helpless to do anything about it (she's the only one living nearby).

Any way, I feel it's messed up all-around!

He's a good kid (okay, not really "a kid" being close to 40), but can't seem to escape from his wife's influence/control, for any length of time, at least. It really sucks watching my baby brother go through all this.

What really saddens me the most is knowing that my nieces and nephew, growing up and seeing their parents' (f'd up) relationship as "the" example of a marriage, will (I feel) unfortunately perpetrate the wicked cycle of abuse in their own relationships. I truly hope not, but I feel it coming.

Damn...

[Hopkins]

I think its mostly fat, depressed mothers living vicariously through their daughters. They don't get enough attention at home so they whore their daughters up and parade them out in front of a bunch of judges that make them feel they aren't good enough.

I think its pretty sick.

[two fingers]

Man, this whole thing just gets me thinking. I have two girls (one 3 and one about to be 1). I live to make them feel loved, wanted, and just plain happy. It's all about THEM. But this can't possibly be about the kid. This is about the mom. How sad for all involved.

[Shakin-Slim]

What's the point in them? There isn't one. Scummy things.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Probably already mentioned, but it seems they are for mothers who want to live their lives through their child's...

[Simo98]

I don't think anyone is really in a position to say that beauty pageants should not be allowed or have no value, especially when it comes to adults, and I'm sure there is plenty of skill in making yourself look attractive for beauty pageants.

People pour their lives into making themselves look beautiful for these pageants just as people dedicate their lives to running fast, or jumping high. The people who compete in beauty pageants probably think trying to see who can run the fastest is a stupid idea and a giant waste of time.

I know for a fact there are normal, un-brainwashed little girls who enjoy beauty pageants and makeup. For some people looking good is important, even some kids, and while in my opinion it's fairly superficial, it's not my position to tell people what to do and how to think.



Sure, there are plenty of parents out there who essentially screw up their kids lives by pressuring them into competitions, like honey boo-boo child, and it's really quite atrocious, but the amount of times I've seen parents who do the same thing, raising their child to play football or tennis and do nothing but, are just as bad. Special diets, training regimes, brain-washing, all so the parents can relive their fantasy and experience through their kids what they never could do themselves, it happens across the board, not just in beauty pageants.


These competitions teach little girls the same thing that any other competition teaches kids, whether they be athletics competitions or mathematics ones. People like different stuff, persecuting people because what they like and value in the world is different to what you do is a bit of a slippery slope if you ask me.

[Lady Kayri]

Not into adult beauty pagents or body building pageants either. I find the 'tots on parade' pageants a bit squicky myself. Should I note there doesn't seem to be 'tots body builder' pageants that are equivalent to the baby beauty pageants?

The adult ones, while I am not terribly interested in them, have adults (or at least older teens) in them, who are old enough to decide whether or not they want to participate. The younger kids on the other hand are being pushed / managed by parents (and I am sure there are fathers out there pushing as well as mothers) and I am not sure the kids who say they enjoy it are telling the truth, or what they know mommy or daddy wants to hear. There is a world of difference between playing dress up and actually competing. It has to be a very strong little kid to be able to go thru the pageant process and not winning more often than not, to come out of that process completely untouched. Far more kids losing than winning in the pageant circuit!

And Honey Boo Boo is definately a sign of the coming of the apocalypse...lol

[DwaynieAD]

Originally Posted by AudioDwebe

My brother has his 9 or 10 year daughter entering beauty pageants and it kind of weirds me out. He posts pictures of her all make-up'd up on Facebook and every time I see them, it just feels a bit weird to me.

She's cute and all, but when she's got the make-up and hair done, she looks way older. I mean, she's a little girl.

He says she enjoys it. My daughters at that age enjoyed putting on make-up, too, but more often than not, they looked like cute little clowms.

So I'm wondering: What do the pageants teach little girls?

Thanks.

punch your brother in the manhood.

[klejst]

For parents to expose and exploit their children for TV and advertising deals...