The Beasts of Beauty Pageants
analytical Essay
1321 words
What is beauty? What are the qualities that are included in the definition of beauty? “Generally, beauty refers to the characteristic or characteristics of an object that entail human pleasure to one or more senses. Beauty cannot be negative or ugly.” (Beirnet)However, there are various concepts of beauty across the globe. “In Nigeria, big and heavy women are considered beautiful and admired. In Burmese traditional view, women with long neck are considered beautiful.” (Plotnick 603). So if there are different concepts of beauty around the globe, how can we hail the most beautiful girl in the world? Thus, beauty pageant comes in.
“Origin of beauty pageants was traced back from ancient European custom of choosing symbolic kings and queens for Mayday festivities.” (Sones). Before beauty pageants received less attention in the society but not until in 1991 when it captures almost everyone's attention. “Beauty pageants became more prominent in the society in 1921 when a hotel owner started a contest to attract tourist in town past Labor Day. The winner of that contest was the called Miss America.” (Beirnet). Since then major beauty pageants were born; Miss World (1951), Miss Universe (1952), Miss International (1960), and Miss Earth (2001).
What the purpose of beauty pageants in the society? This question was not new. Since before, protests condemning beauty pageants was there. “Protests were done when P.T Barnum staged the first modern pageants in 1854.” (Sons). So issues regarding the purpose of having were not new and it has historical basis.
Issues regarding the purpose of beauty pageants alarm women since majority of the beauty pageants are for them. Let us look at the good side of beauty pageants. First, allows the use...
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...ending the money wisely and you are helping those people who are facing poverty.
Now let us know the other side of the story. Others argued that beauty pageants promote self-esteem. Facing other people is not easy. Only few are capable enough that can face the crowd with great confidence. It is indeed in beauty pageants that women gain confidence. It is in beauty pageants that allow women to be empowered. They are given the chance to meet other people. Meeting those new faces will boosts their confidence. It is in meeting those new faces and seeing people happy and proud on what they are doing on stage that they feel that they are given importance and they are idolize. It is also their time to show to others their hidden talents. It is in beauty pageants also that they want to prove to all that they can overcome their shyness in facing different types of people.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that beauty refers to the characteristic or characteristics of an object that entail human pleasure to one or more senses. however, there are various concepts of beauty across the globe.
- Explains that beauty pageants originated from ancient european custom of choosing symbolic kings and queens for mayday festivities.
- Explains that protests against beauty pageants were done before p.t. barnum staged the first modern pageant in 1854.
- Analyzes the positives of beauty pageants, stating that it allows creativity, promotes self-esteem, and narrows beauty standards.
- Analyzes the dark side of beauty pageants: it allows the body of women to be treated as an object of attention, it puts tremendous pressure on women, and it creates another standard.
- Argues that beauty pageants are exploiting women and only creates standardized beauty.
- Explains that women are treated with respect in some conservative countries, and swimsuit and gown competitions in beauty pageant which emphasizes women’s body curves are showing disrespect to them.
- Opines that women in beauty pageants are like pet cats parading into the stage wearing gowns and high-heeled shoes. other males will turn them into sexual objects and make their life at risk.
- Explains that beauty pageants unlock different doors towards the betterment of the contestants.
- Analyzes the first bright side of beauty pageants: they unlock different doors to fame, but we should always remember fame doesn't last for a lifetime.
- Explains that beauty pageants put tremendous pressure on women just to make their selves "beautiful".
- Argues that beauty pageants promote self-esteem. only few are capable enough to face the crowd with great confidence.
Related
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- Beauty contests : More than a competitionexplanatory essay"A competition does not define you as the most beautiful woman" as Laura Godoy said.3 . Participate in these beauty contests is more difficult as you think. Everybody thinks that the participants only have to be physically beautiful , but that is not correct because the majority of the women who participate during the contest process should demonstrate different requirements to be part of them like the personality , discipline , emotional preparation and also cultural and intelectual learning because the most of them have to deal with different challenges presented in this process such as wearing different dresses , personal interview and talent show. However, it is not a secret that in some opportunities beauty pageants have not the potential to show the reality of some women because they exploit the physical and psychological beauty to choose the winner , but nowadays that vision changed because ...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that around the world exist more than one hundred beauty contests, including the world miss, which was founded in 1951.
- Explains that participation in beauty contests is more difficult than one thinks, because most women must demonstrate personality, discipline, emotional preparation, cultural and intelectual learning.
- Explains that beauty content shows competences as an entertainment for the people, and also provides real and satisfactory opportunities to the participants 4 giving them important prizes.
- Opines that beauty contests have positive aspects, but critics are disrespectful, offensive, and irresponsible in their comments. pageants are not a seriously, ethical and appropriate behavior model.
- Explains that viewers can be offensive in terms of comments, but the women's degradation concept arose from the many comment that these contests received.
- Explains that beauty contests have a relevant purpose to be part of society, such as give the participant economical, educational and fashionable prizes.
649 wordsRead More - Controversial Topic of Child Beauty Pageantsopinionated essayAmerican beauty pageants got their start in the 1920’s in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was a kind of tourist attraction created by business owners to keep the tourist in town past Labor Day. Not surprisingly, the first competition consisted of only a swimsuit portion. Eventually as pageants grew more popular, more categories were added. It didn’t take long for pageants to gain popularity, the first Miss America Pageant was held in 1921. Pageants grew bigger still with television in the 1950’s, as it allowed mass amounts of people to watch at once. It wasn’t until the The Feminist Act in the 1970’s that people starting viewing pageants as bad (Goldstein). Some people suggest that beauty pageants really hammer the idea that beauty is the most importa...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that beauty pageants teach young girls bad lessons and cause them to grow up too fast. many people have had enough of the exploitation and are starting movements for change.
- Explains that american beauty pageants started in the 1920's in atlantic city, new jersey. the first miss america pageant was held in 1921.
- Explains that a child's beauty pageant experience can cost up to $3,000-$5,000, plus entry fees, dress, modeling lessons, and travel expenses.
- Explains that child beauty pageants have become more eccentric with what they allow for clothes and makeup, such as fake tanners, hair extensions, and false teeth.
- Analyzes how young girls are being coached to dance around the stage promiscuously and flirt with the judges. psychologist arlene burrows says it's not so much that kids are becoming mature at a young age.
- Explains that contestants and their parents will do anything to make sure they are the ones walking away with the rewards. they are not being rewarded for hard work, but instead for their looks and body appearance.
- Explains that children aren't capable of giving consent, so experts look to parents for answers. new research suggests that child beauty pageants have more to do with what the parents want and less about kids.
- Opines that pageant parents should be supportive of their children and help them achieve their goals, but this isn't always the case.
1280 wordsRead More - Negative Essay On Beauty Pageants, The Ugly In Beautyopinionated essayBeauty pageants have been a competition in society as long as anyone can remember, whether it is formal or informal. From one girl comparing herself to a magazine, judging another when changing in the locker room, or attending a full, all out, extravagant and official pageant; it is really all the same. In this case, the direct topic being discussed is if beauty pageants are exploitive for young girls. Considering the stories on the news and reality television shows that display the craziness of it all, it is safe to say that entering in any young girl to beauty pageants is a brutal way of raising a child and does not hold any positive benefits in the long term.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that beauty pageants have been a competition in society for as long as anyone can remember, whether it is formal or informal. the topic being discussed is if they are exploitive for young girls.
- Concludes that beauty pageants are beneficial because of the way it may encourage one girl to meet other girls and build a community.
- Opines that beauty contests have certain limits and could have long-term effects.
- Concludes that beauty contests are an excuse to perpetuate exploitation, and professionals agree that it is totally unacceptable.
- Opines that it is abusive and distasteful that a parent, knowing the pressures of life, would place their own daughter into an arena full of lies, superiority, bribing, superficial energy, and cut throat competitiveness.
1200 wordsRead More - Essay On Beauty Pageantsexplanatory essayChild beauty pageants can be very damaging to a young girl from a psychological perspective. If the child does not win the contest, they are forced to believe they have faults, which do not make them perfect. Instead of teaching girls to appreciate their fault for making them unique from everyone else. Beauty pageants promote an atmosphere that it is wrong to not be perfect. Most grade school girls are not concerned with self-image, until someone, points out their ears may be too big or they suffer some other imperfection. A four year old should not be told she is not as attractive as another girl. Kids that age should be taught that every individual is unique and exceptional in his or her own style. Not that there is a perfect mode that we must survive to fit.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that beauty pageants have been detrimental to the physical and mental health of their participants.
- Opines that child beauty pageants can be damaging to a young girl from the psychological perspective, as they encourage girls to appreciate their faults for making them unique from others.
- Agrees with jane graham's article explaining her experience with beauty pageants. she realized at the age of four that she wasn't the typical beautiful little girl the judges were looking for.
- Explains that the difference between beauty pageants and typical sports is that sports give a child to perfect their mistakes.
- Opines that accepting imperfections is one thing, but being taught that you must hide the imperfection is damaging. beauty pageants force girls to know their imperfections after each competition.
- Opines that morphing a child's outer appearance makes them feel comfortable and pretty in their own skin. this is teaching her that she needs to look and dress in certain ways to appear beautiful.
- Explains that today's society has adopted a mentality that in order to appear beautiful one must be "sexy". parents are subjecting their extremely young daughters to this form of judgment when they are participating in beauty pageants.
- Explains that the emphasis on physical perfection can put some young girls at risk for body dissatisfaction, and potential eating disorders.
- Explains that parents who are guilty of overworking and poor nutrition of their child insist their motivation is soloy for the prizes. the potential for fame and fortune, cartwright says, may lead to "achievement by proxy distortion."
- Opines that parents are losing focus on being an important role model in a child's life when they become focused on winning.
- Explains that many parents assume that everyone around them interested in promoting their child's beauty pageant career is someone they can trust. many girls are left unattended with coaches, agents, and make-up artists.
1048 wordsRead More - Miss Congeniality Rhetoricanalytical essayPageants are often viewed as contests strictly based on outer beauty, with the underlying goal of objectifying women. Through the analysis of the film Miss Congeniality, and the Miss America system of pageantry, I would like to express the the influential and positive way in which rhetoric is used in pageantry. The rhetoric of pageantry is very distinct due to the way contestants and titleholders (winners) must communicate during and after a pageant. A few of the main goals of pageantry include impacting the lives around you and being a role model to all. The crown is more than a shiny hat, but rather a microphone used to make a difference.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how gracie is able to implement pageant rhetoric through her training and experience with other contestants.
- Describes how gracie and the other contestants develop relationships through interpersonal communication. the group unanimously chooses her as miss congeniality, a girl who personifies kindness and is helpful to others.
- Explains that the first miss america pageant was held in 1921 to attract tourists to atlantic city, new jersey. the four points of the crown are scholarship, success, style, and service.
- Analyzes how pageants are viewed as contests strictly based on outer beauty, with the underlying goal of objectifying women.
- Analyzes how contestants must be well versed in all subjects and be able to answer questions with the utmost integrity.
1533 wordsRead More - Miss American Beauty Pageantsanalytical essayBesides the attractive women in half-naked outfits, what does the Miss America Beauty Pageant really represent? This pageant lowers the self-esteem of women who don’t feel like they meet the standards of what society thinks is a beautiful woman. The pageant alone requires contestants to spend a huge amount of money. The message that this pageant is sending is that all women should compete against each other. The Miss America pageant gains millions of viewers, but people fail to notice the population of women who are not happy with themselves. This pageant has many issues regarding women’s image and the definition of beauty that people need to pay attention to.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the miss america beauty pageant lowers the self-esteem of women who don't feel like they meet the standards of what society thinks is a beautiful woman.
- Explains that men increase their standards of women based on the image of miss america. this results in women degrading themselves to attract the attention of certain men.
- Explains that the miss america beauty pageant requires contestants to spend a huge amount of money to prepare for the pageant.
- Explains that america beauty pageant only allows women who are of a certain weight and size to participate in the pageant.
- Opines that beauty pageants don't cause women's insecurities, but it contributes to them. society can be influential when it comes to the appearance of women.
533 wordsRead More - Beauty Pagentsexplanatory essayTo most beauty pageants may seems like a waste of time and it may seem to be another way to make women feel inferior to one another. I, however, have come to find that this is one of the many myths which surround such an advantageous opportunity. Young women learn many valuable lessons which help them throughout their entire life. These lessons could range from such a variety of things, from being able to overcome shyness to raising awareness on a certain issue through a platform to also even possibly winning scholarships.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that beauty pageants are a waste of time and make women feel inferior to one another. young women learn valuable lessons which help them throughout their entire life.
- Explains that miss america provides more than $45 million dollars in scholarship money, which is open to all young women who are willing to put in the hard work and perseverance to try to succeed.
- Explains that young women need to put forth an image of outstanding behavioral and social manners. they are taught to remain poised and under control in all situations, have good sportsmanship, and handle being in a friendly competition.
- Explains that a contestant must have good social and behavioral manners and appear well-rounded. they must be engaged in several activities that are beneficial to the community or to themselves.
- Explains that pageants are a good time for contestants to stand up for any issues, that they may feel are important and need attention, through their platform.
- Explains that contestants have to go through interviews and be evaluated based on their answers. this teaches them to speak confidently in front of an audience and helps them pursue different careers.
- Explains that contestants are taught many life skills which can be applied to almost all real life situations. they are also taught to be strong, independent, outspoken, women while being courteous, kind, and poised.
604 wordsRead More - Unrealistic Expectations Of Beauty Pageantsanalytical essayThe judges at pageants expect the contestants to be skinny, beautiful with a lot of make-up, and to be wearing something “sexy.” This causes the girls to grow up and think they have to be super skinny, wear make up, and wear “sexy” looking clothes in order to look pretty. If the contestants are not thin, physically beautiful, or even perfect, then the judges will pick someone who is, in their eyes, beautiful. Beauty pageants, like Miss India and Miss World, definitely promote that type of unrealistic expectation of beauty. Promoting an unrealistic expectation of beauty can cause anxiety among many (“Body Image Issues). This is wrong because people are able to look naturally beautiful, without being skinny and wearing all that make up. Placing young girls into beauty pageants sets an unrealistic body image in their heads.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that beauty pageants can be expensive and use money that could benefit the contestants in other ways, such as for education or fun.
- Explains that anorexia nervosa and body dissatisfaction are already a growing problem in america, especially among young girls.
- Argues that beauty pageants are outdated and objectify women and young girls, and that they should be ended for many reasons.
- Explains that beauty pageants promote unrealistic expectations of beauty, such as being skinny, wearing make-up, and wearing sexy clothes.
1888 wordsRead More - Persuasive Essay On Toddlers And Tiarasanalytical essayThe main reason being participating in beauty pageants builds children's confidence and public speaking skills. Building confidence is not always the case often times children are discouraged and it ruins there body image in the long run. Contestants can earn money for college, it's not always the case though because what happens when children aren't winning, they then are earning money they are just losing self confidence. Also, many pageant parents say that participating in pageants is the same as playing a sport, which playing a sport requires time and money and puts intense pressure on them. Young athletes learn discipline, feel great pride in their accomplishments, and form lasting friendships which also happens in the pageant
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the controversy over beauty pageants for little girls and boys from ages 6 months to 16 years old has been increasing over the years.
- Argues that child beauty pageants should not exist because it shows girls unrealistic beauty standards. pageant participants struggle with society's level of "perfection", dieting, eating disorders, and body image on through their adulthood.
- Explains that beauty pageants teach young children to imitate adults by teaching them to get the perfect strut across the stage in short skirts and revealing dresses.
- Explains that in the pageant world, one has to have long eyelashes, perfect nails, pearly whites, "eyebrow goals", tan, and partial dentures to be considered "perfect."
- Opines that beauty pageants for youngsters are a good thing because they build children's confidence and public speaking skills.
685 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