When one looks back at their childhood, what pops into their head? For most people their response would be playing with dolls, going outside, or having sleepovers, but for others that isn’t reality. Britney, an eight-year old girl from California, spent her childhood getting Botox and competing in child beauty pageants. According to her mother, Britney had been complaining about wrinkles and agreed to trying Botox. This sounds absolutely crazy, but it is not uncommon. Over 250,000 kids participate in beauty pageants each year (Lindsey). These children, who start competing as early as age 2, are being judged on their looks, capability, perfection, and confidence. The controversies over these pageants have erupted in the past few years because of TLC’s reality show, Toddlers and Tiaras (Nussbaum). Many believe it is not right for young children to parade around on stage wearing make-up and inappropriate clothing, while others believe it builds confidence in children. Despite what people who are pro child beauty pageants say, these pageants can have major effects on the kids participating in them. One may argue that these girls gain much more than they lose, but in the end the negative affects far outweigh the positives. In the 1920’s, when beauty pageants began, the main reason for these pageants was to gain tourists. At the time, Atlantic City, New Jersey, was a popular tourist resort. To bring in more business to the city, they came up with the idea of a Fall Pageant. The city got sponsors to represent these young women, and a panel of judges would decide on the most beautiful bathing beauty in America (Alter 2). Since these times, beauty pageants have grown to be a huge part of today’s society. Child beauty pagean... ... middle of paper ... ...n make-up. Beauty pageants are linked with an immense variety of negative effects. These children are trying to be someone that they are not. The effects on these children can escalate quickly and affect them their entire life. When a parent first enters their child in a pageant, they do not think about the negative consequences they could have on their child. No parent wants to experience the tragedy that the Ramsey family did. Although some children do gain things from these pageants, the majority of them are harmed. The effects from these pageants range from eating disorders and body image problems to social and psychological problems. If there are not regulations put on these pageants in the near future, our young children are going suffer from growing up to fast. When will people learn that looks are not everything and we should let the kids be kids?
In this essay, the author
- Explains how pageants help children improve their communication skills. the interview category taught allison tietjen how to think on her feet and make it sound like she is an expert.
- Explains that pageants require a lot of time and effort. the girls they meet during these pageant can become life-long friends.
- Explains that pageant participation and establishing bonds with other people can create opportunities for girls in the future.
- Explains that pageants can be beneficial in multiple ways, but there are many negative effects.
- Explains that children rank body image among the highest of their concerns, while education, which should be a child’s biggest priority, is put on the back burner.
- Explains that some participants come away from pageants unharmed, but others are not so lucky.
- Opines that children in pageants have high expectations for their children that can cause their child to become stressed. when they were children, they believed it was okay to deal with stress by throwing temper tantrums.
- Explains that child beauty pageants can cause financial strain and stress on other members of the family.
- Analyzes how karen kataline, a former beauty pageant contestant, never realized how many negative effects these pageants had on her.
- Opines that pageants should put regulations on entering a pageant to eliminate some of the major effects they have on the participants.
- Explains that the controversies over child beauty pageants have erupted in the past few years because of tlc’s reality show, toddlers and tiaras.
- Argues that pageants should regulate the outfits worn by young girls to prevent sexualizing them. they should judge contestants on their talent and interview skills.
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- Trophy Babiesanalytical essayChild beauty pageants have been a part of American society since the 1960’s. These pageants consist of modeling swimwear, evening attire, dance and talent. The young children entered in the pageants are judged on perfection, confidence, capability and looks. Judges would call this “the complete package.” Children are divided into different age groups to make the pageants fair. They are guided by there parents who spend well over 200 dollars for the pageants. Money is spent on fake nails, hair extensions, makeup, clothing, eyebrow waxing, and anything else their parents are willing to do to make their child the best looking. Keep in mind that these little girls range from ages 1-12. The issues with these pageants are that these extremely young girls are beginning to compare themselves to other “prettier” girls, which leads to negative effects in the future.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that child beauty pageants have been a part of american society since the 1960's. they consist of modeling swimwear, evening attire, dance and talent.
- Analyzes how the girls are judged on the interview, talent, poise, confidence, and self-image in the pageant. they strive to look better than one another which can harm oneself mentally and physically.
- Argues that most parents who sign their children up for beauty pageants are trying to get rid of their own emotional baggage.
- Analyzes how parents of young beauty pageant girls will continue to find excuses for why beauty pages have positive effects on their children. parents argue that the pageants build their confidence rather than distort their self-image.
- Explains that girls compare themselves to each other almost every time they see another female. it is not normal that children ranging from ages 1-12 are trying to measure up to other girls.
- Explains that one out of 100 young girls between the ages of 10 and 20 are starving themselves because of the pressure to look good.
- Analyzes how lucia grosaru's article shows how paranoid features can occur as a response to the no other girl is your friend here speech. girls will continue to compare themselves to other girls.
- Analyzes how parents take risks with their children after the murder case of the six-year-old beauty queen, jon benet ramsey.
- Argues that pageants should be made illegal in all states, as they aren't safe for young girls and introduce them to disappointment and sexuality early in life.
1840 wordsRead More - Persuasive Essay On Beauty Pageantsopinionated essayA major problem in today’s society affecting many people is low self-esteem and confidence issues. Beauty pageants don’t help. Girls with “perfect bodies”, whitened teeth and their hair stiff from all the hair spray, prancing around in swimsuits sets an unnatural role model for young girls and this is what they aspire to become. Before it was just grown women, but today we face a brand new category of beauty displays. Now, instead of 20 year old women, there are toddlers and teens. Children are taught harmful life lessons. For example, young girls think that they have to be beautiful. The pageants teach children that beauty is on the outside and not the inside. When you teach children that beauty is only on the outside it can cause major problems. The pageants make-or-break children. They either end up arrogant and big-headed or with low self-confidence because they lost to a girl that didn’t have the most expensive dress or the best coach money could buy. There are around 3000 beauty pageants held in the world every year and around 3 million children between the ages of 6-16 attend annually. Juvenile jamborees such as these have become increasingly popular recently and especially so in the last couple of years - on television there are programmes such as “Toddlers and Tiaras” and “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo”. These programmes try to display the glamorous and beautiful side of beauty pageants, but many of the negative sides to the pageants are not shown on these television programmes.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that beauty pageants make-or-break children. they are taught harmful life lessons, such as beauty on the outside and not the inside.
- Explains that it is difficult for children to see themselves as beautiful without elaborate costumes, over-the-top make-up, fake tan and hair extensions. the root of low self-esteem issues comes from children being taught that looks are at the top of the list.
- Explains that pageants can affect children's physical health. parents control what their children eat up to two weeks in advance of the pageant, which prevents them from receiving all the vitamins and nutrients they need to grow and function correctly.
- Concludes that beauty contests cause more harm than good for young girls.
988 wordsRead More - Objectifying Young Girls is Never Okayopinionated essayBeauty pageants became a part of American society during the 1920s. They started out as a way to bring tourist to Atlantic City. Adult beauty pageants were first to be televised in the 1950s. Child beauty pageants came on the scene around the 1960s. The pageants were designed to help boost children’s self-esteem and confidence. Child beauty pageants consist of modeling sportswear, evening gowns, dance, and talent. Depending on the type of pageant, the girls may be seen wearing fancy hairstyles and a lot of makeup. These children are judged on the idea of becoming the “complete package.” This includes looks, capability, poise, perfection, and confidence. In 1996, JonBenet Ramsey, six year old a beauty pageant queen, was killed in her family home. To this day, the case has never been solved, this lead to much criticism towards the pageants. Critics began to question the parent’s involvement and the well-being of the children. Dan Rather was scrutinized for showing tapes of JonBenet Ramsey, calling them “kiddie porn.” Nowadays, shows like TLC’s “Toddlers and Tiaras” and “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” show girls in tiny clothes and dancing provocatively. Which sets a bad example for other young girls watching. Pageants have become more televised than they were in the 1960s. These children need someone to stand up for them. They cannot speak for themselves.
In this essay, the author
- Explains how beauty pageants became a part of american society during the 1920s and 1960s. they were designed to boost children's self-esteem and confidence.
- Opines that child beauty pageants should be banned in the united states for educational, psychological, and safety reasons.
- Argues that most pageant parents say that competition is good for their child's self-esteem and confidence. mothers have a real problem of living through their children.
- Opines that pageants should be treated like extracurricular activities, and should not interfere with academics.
- Explains that the winner of a beauty pageant is usually given an academic scholarship, which minimizes or refunds some expenses of the child's academic year.
- Opines that the number one problem of the pageants is the sexualization of young girls.
- Analyzes how beauty contestants' appearances can lead to delayed development and fewer girls pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
- Analyzes the psychological impact of child beauty pageants on children.
- Opines that child beauty pageants should be banned for safety reasons.
- Proposes that the united states should ban child beauty pageants for educational, psychological, and safety reasons. parents justify their decision by saying it is in their child's best interest.
- Opines that child pageants are bad for kids. the week, 14 mar 2012.
- States brooks, karen, "pageant parents set ugly example." courier-mail (brisbane).
- Explains cartwright, martina, "child beauty pageants: what are we teaching our girls?" psychology today: health, help, happiness + find a therapist.
- Opines that child beauty pageants 'about parents feeling good, not kids' are sponsored by asian news international and sirs issues researcher.
- Explains that kid beauty pageants are creepy. herald sun (melbourne). 07 apr. 2010: 31.
- Opines that "ending the hypersexualization of girls." christian science monitor. 19 sep. 2013: n.p. sirs issues researcher.
- Analyzes manning, catherine, "child beauty pageants are not ok." rachel hansen.
- States that nussbaum, kareen, "children and beauty pageants."
1559 wordsRead More - Child Beauty Pageantsanalytical essayLook at child beauty pageants. Notice that the girl’s childhood is filled with sparkly dresses and makeup. They are trying to grow up to fast and if they continue on this path they could turn out like a “special” celebrity. These kid’s faces have foundation, fake eyelashes with mascara, and bright lipstick. On top of that they are wearing clothes that aren’t appropriate for kids. If they continue to act the way they do now the next generation of girls to be total brats. Some psychology experts believe that these pageants are teaching children to act and dress about ten years above their age. Therefor child beauty pageants should be banned.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that child beauty pageants teach children that people are only judged by looks, not their personality.
- Analyzes how hilary levey of harvard university went to multiple child beauty pageants to study them. she observed a little girl crying and ate cheerios with the other contestants.
- Opines that child beauty pageants may be more about parents - psych central news.
- Analyzes schultz, kristen, and ann pleshette murphy's "beauty pageants draw children and criticism." abc news.
873 wordsRead More - What Effects Do Child Beauty Pageants Have On The Child?explanatory essayBeauty pageants began in the 1920’s, however, child beauty pageants did not emerge until the late 1960’s (Bowling, 2006). The child pageants have increased in popularity through the years and today there are more than 16,000 pageants with over 250,000 contestants a year (Bowling, 2006). Beauty pageants are a $5 billion-a-year industry (Bowling, 2006). While participation in the child pageant industry has grown, the controversy surrounding the effect these pageants can have on the contestants has also grown.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that high glitz pageants have received negative feedback from the general public, so pageant coordinators have switched to what is referred to as natural child beauty pages. heavy make-up, fancy hairstyles, and elaborate costumes are not allowed.
- Opines that while there are no black and white answers to the effects of child beauty pageants on the child, the decision should be carefully weighed.
- Explains that the four-year-old girl's make-up is flawless and her hair is curled, teased, and sprayed with hair spray to keep it in place during her performance.
- Explains that the potential prizes awarded to the winners tempt many parents to enter their child.
- Explains that child beauty pageants are only one medium sexualizing young girls. girls are pressured into trying to achieve their sexual identity too soon, which can lead to eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression.
1128 wordsRead More - Argumentative Essay On Child Pageantsopinionated essayLights, camera, pouty lips welcome to the four dimensional world of children 's beauty pageants. Over the years, child pageants have become a hot topic gaining a great deal of delight from numerous people around the world. From having a strong standing, ongoing fan base that keeps the hit TLC TV show Toddlers and Tiaras; on air to having some of Americans ' favorite beauty queens making guest appearances on shows such as the Ellen Show. Regretfully, the idea of putting an end to child pageants has become somewhat of a hotter topic than the pageants themselves. People often put down what they do not understand why dress a child like that? Why all the make-up? What some do not seem to understand is that there are advantages to being a beauty
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the idea of putting an end to child pageants has become a hotter topic than the pageant itself.
- Explains what a beauty pageant is, and why it's important to understand that there isn't just one type of beauty contest — the 'glitz' type is associated with small girls wearing elaborate hairpieces, fake teeth, spray tans and expensive stage dresses.
- Explains that girls in glitz usually wear heavy adult-styled stage make-up, but under 13-year-olds are not allowed to wear full face makeup in natural pageants.
- Explains that a child's self-confidence is best developed when they're younger, as they learn and point out what they like and dislike about themselves early on in life.
- Explains that pageantry allows kids to network and learn about other children's lives. they also get a chance to discover part of themselves that they never would have been able to see if not for pageants.
- Opines that pageant parents put their child in pageants just for the hope of winning money, but this is a narrow minded way of thinking.
- Opines that if a child fails at something, it falls to the parents to help them understand that it is okay to not win them all.
- Opines that a pageant is an easy way for parents to live lives that they could never have, and want their children to do the same.
2027 wordsRead More - Persuasive Essay On Child Pageantsexplanatory essayChild pageants have been around for decades, and the popularity of these beauty contests has grown into a massive five billion dollar industry. Many people may be familiar with the controversial television show “Toddlers and Tiaras”, which showcases young children ranging from a few months old to their early teens wearing tons of makeup and dresses that can cost up to eight thousand dollars. Many of these children feel pressured by their parents to win, stressed after hours of practice, and worried about maintaining a “perfect” image. Some of the acts that these girls do on stage are inappropriate and feature revealing outfits, and eventually many emotional and even physical health issues may form in result of being in child pageants. These
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the popularity of child pageants has grown into a massive five billion dollar industry. the controversial television show "toddlers and tiaras" showcases young children wearing makeup and dresses that can cost up to eight thousand dollars.
- Explains that child pageants are beauty contests with contestants under 18 years old. the first type is odgers 2a "glitz" pageant, which features dresses decorated in jewels, fake teeth, hair extensions, and heavy makeup.
- Opines that the pressure to win pageants and perform routines flawlessly is too much for some of these young girls to handle.
- Explains that pageants put a large amount of financial stress on the whole family. the entry fee can vary anywhere from $50 to $500, and each separate category is another $20 to $30.
- Explains that child pageants sexualize young girls, and that the excess makeup and fake nails, hair, tan and eyelashes make them look disturbingly grown up.
- Explains france banned beauty pageants for anyone under the age of 16 in 2013, and the body image of these girls begins to deteriorate as they are pressured to be perfect.
- Explains the emotional and physical health problems associated with pageants, such as anorexia and bulimia, after a child retires from their pageant days.
- Explains that hairspray is commonly used in pageants, but excess use has been linked to stunt growth, lung cancer, and high heels.
- Opines that beauty pageants have negative effects on children, including stress, sexualizing young girls, and health issues.
1010 wordsRead More - Research Paper On Glitz Beauty Pageantsopinionated essayHeavy make-up, fake teeth, and adult costumes are just some of the things that glitz beauty pageants encourage. An estimated 250,000 children participate in beauty pageants every year. That number is increasing due to shows like Toddlers and Tiaras, and Honey Boo Boo. While it may be amusing to watch, the life of a pageant girl can be detrimental and have negative effects on their childhoods. Many of these girls are put into pageants because of their mothers. Once involved in the pageant life, children rarely have a say in what they want. Children’s Glitz beauty pageants should be banned.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that glitz beauty pageants encourage heavy make-up, fake teeth, and adult costumes. the life of a pageant girl can be detrimental and have negative effects on their childhoods.
- Analyzes how children with provocative appearances are opening a gateway for sexual predators. in toddlers and tiaras, three-year-old girls are dressed as julia roberts prostitute characters from pretty woman.
- Explains that beauty pageants can lead to eating disorders and psychological problems. fourth grade girls talk about dieting and being skinny.
- Explains that young girls are obsessed with perfectionism, which teaches them that looks are what really matters. children should be focused on learning and having fun, not prancing around like barbies.
- Opines that beauty pageants can create a huge financial strain on the family. after the entry fee, parents spend the money for make-up, hair, fake nails, coach, dance and/or vocal lessons, photographs, and most importantly the dresses.
584 wordsRead More - Child Beauty Pageants In American Cultureanalytical essayChild beauty pageants are, in essence, “an event created to reward children for their appearance and personality.” As a nation that thrives on individuality, such competitions are the embodiment of American culture. While there are a myriad of
In this essay, the author
- Explains how american culture manifests in child beauty pageants. since the 1960's, they have begun to weave their way into the fabric of the nation.
- Explains that child beauty pageants are an event created to reward children for their appearance and personality. pageantry offers limitless options on how to present yourself.
- Explains that americans are uniquely optimistic, and pessimism is the order of the day somewhere, but not here. child beauty pageants serve as an outlet for young girls to grow without judgment.
- Analyzes how child beauty pageants have made their mark on american pop culture in the recent years.
- Analyzes how child pageantry encourages the idea of heterogeneity in today's youth. with a diverse mix of children competing from all demographics, contestants are learning to value all others as free individuals.
- Opines that american culture has affected the world of child pageantry. it is a rapidly expanding market, drawing in over two million contestants each year in the united states alone.
674 wordsRead More - The Ugly Side of Beauty Pageantsexplanatory essayNussbaum, Kareen. “Children and Beauty Pageants”. Beauty Pageants. A minor Consideration. N.D. Web. 31 Jan. 2014. .
In this essay, the author
- Explains that "beauty pageants: a debate on sexuality". women's studies, university of pittsburgh.
- Explains that beauty pageants are a complex snare of mental and physical stress, financial burdens, time consuming hours, and unrealistic beauty features.
- Opines that children's beauty pageants are more about the parents than they are about themselves.
- Cites nussbaum, kareen, and simon, harvey. "eating disorders". university of maryland medical center.
1356 wordsRead More