Child Beauty pageants

1. Child Beauty pageants Eriza Mukatora

2. Do beauty pageants have a purpose in our society today? • Controversy often surrounds both adult and children pageants. Many people feel that pageants unfairly exploit women. Some people think that there are some benefits I chose this topic because of a personal interest in it. As a woman, I want to have society value my contributions, not just my personal appearance. • Pageants send the message that a woman’s primary value lies in her outward appearance. It is the same in children’s pageants that mostly involve little girls. Some psychologists believe these pageants can damage a child’s self image and self worth. • Am going to primarily focused on child beauty pageants since this is where most of the current controversy seems to be focused. • I feel that a lot of problems can develop when small children are taught to dress up and mimic adults. I also think that the adult pageants are offensive because they focus mostly on beauty rather than inner qualities.

3. History • Beauty pageants became part of the American society in the 1920's. • Child beauty pageants began in the 1960's. • The children are judged based on individuality in looks, capability, poise, perfection and confidence

4. Are there any benefits for girls who participate? • A beauty pageant helps one to overcome stage fright and build self confidence; it also gives one a platform to speak her mind and the prize money of the beauty pageants generally come as scholarships which can be used for further studies.

6. Parents of pageant child • The parent’s of the pageant child force their children to practice for hours • Lots of parents only enter their daughter in this contests to win prizes and money • Mothers directly contribute to the sexualisation by entering their daughters to engage in behaviors associated with sexiness

7. Loss of childhood • Forced to grow up way too fast by their lives dominated by competitions • Put under extreme pressure, endure criticism, failure and exhaustion • Growing up is complicated enough fear for their safety and wellbeing

8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTf78ku0UAk

9. Conclusion • Although, changes to child beauty pageants are far from totally reality, there can be sublet changes if parents and the beauty pageants agencies take full responsibility for providing a safe and courteous environment for their children. • children should be allowed to be children, rather than being premature adult. • I feel that beauty pageants should have age limit