Delaney France
AP Language
S. Pritchard
4 November 2011
Are Beauty Pageants Ethical?
Giannotti, Phil. “’Toddlers and Tiaras’ Controversy as Mom Dresses 3year-old as a Prostitute.” New Jersey Local News, Breaking News, Sports &
Weather. NJ.com, 24 Sept. 2011. Web. 04 Nov. 2011.
This article argues whether some children are being exploited by their
mothers in child beauty pageants. One mother allowed her daughter to strut
across the stage dressed the prostitute portrayed by Julia Roberts in “Pretty
Woman.” Outfits like this are causing an uproar of parents outside of the pageant
world. These competitive mothers are said to be “taking the dress-up act too far”.
Some of these mothers were pageant stars when they were younger and should
know better than to dress a child in scandalous outfits.
I will incorporate this article in my essay because it has strong points that
help my con argument. I will be able to mention about the mothers being in
pageants when they were children and how they are oblivious to the
inappropriate outfits when they should know better. These should not be
overdressing their daughters, especially when they were in the pageant business
themselves and understand what the girls are going through.
Thomas, Steven. JonBenét: Inside the Ramsey Murder Investigation. New
York: St. Martin’s, 2000. Print.
An entire book dedicated to the unsolved JonBenét Ramsey case gives
information about the Ramsey family and the murder of their youngest daughter.
The book describes how JonBenét accumulated two dozen trophies and titles
from beauty pageants. The Ramsey family was suspected, however, claims that
an intruder killed JonBenét also rumored. The murder of JonBenét exposed the
United States to beauty pageants. People began to look into these pageants,
claiming that they caused JonBenét’s death. It was believed that a pedophile had
seen her in a beauty pageant, all dolled up and wearing inappropriate clothes,
and targeted her.
It will be very easy to use this book in my essay because the story of
JonBenét Ramsey is a tragedy of a child beauty pageant queen. My essay will
have stronger arguments when I discuss the possibility of her being killed by a
pedophile that targeted her after being dressed like a 23-year-old at a pageant.
Also, JonBenét shed light on the pageant craze that was sweeping our nation.
Triggs, Charlotte. “’Toddlers & Tiaras’ Controversy: Are they growing up
too fast?” CNN Entertainment. Central News Network, 24 Sept. 2011. Web. 31
Oct. 2011.
The CNN article questioning the parenting of some pageant moms. One 4year-old dressed as Dolly Parton, complete with a padded bra. Some mothers
believe that these costumes are “tasteful and funny” says one mother. They also
believe unfair scrutiny has been placed on the pageant world due to TV shows
and negative publicity. Juana Myers, a pageant mom who’s 6-year-old is a
pageant veteran, stated, ”If this was a sport, no one would question it. This is her
sport.”
This article gives me more of a diverse essay. The information will oppose
my thesis and give my article depth by defying my main argument. This gives me
information from another point of view so I can use both sides to make a clear
and concise paper. I can incorporate both arguments in my paper so that it is fair
for both sides of the thesis.
Conley, Mikaela. “Pedophile’s Delight?” ABC News. ABC.com, 5 Sept.
2011. Web. 4 Nov. 2011.
This article spotlights a young girl who’s pageant costume includes butt
padding and fake breasts as she impersonates Dolly Parton. The article begins
to discuss possible psychological issues that may affect these girls in the future.
It states that young girls consider their own beauty as “sexy” or womanly. Being
cute is an understatement for them. The sexualization of these girls are very
dangerous to their self confidence and personal safety.
This article will be helpful for my essay because it shows the psychological
effects of pageants and being sexualized for young children. These children are
not developing physically, emotionally, mentally or socially at the proper level for
their age. That fact is very crucial to my paper and I will certainly mention it in my
paper.
McKay, Holley. “Parents of Children on TLC’s ‘Toddlers and Tiaras’
Hurting Their Kids, Critics Say.” Fox News. Foxnews.com, 03 Jul. 2011. Web. 6
Nov. 2011.
This article shows both the pros and cons of child beauty pageants. The
article argues both the negative effects pageants have on young children and the
positives it brings to these children. Some say that pageants teach the young
girls how to be more outgoing, build self esteem, and make a kid feel special
when they are recognized from their accomplishments. However, critics say that
these parents are spoiling their children and judging children on their valued
beauty.
Because this article gives examples of pros and cons to the controversial
issue, it will show both sides of the argument in my essay. I can show both sides
of the issue to be fair. Both give great arguments such as pageants allow quality
family time when everyone’s involved. Also, pageants can trigger developmental
problems in a toddler, causing these girls to obsess over their physical
appearance over everything else.
West, Kay. “Gone Too Far?” People Magazine 26 Sept. 2011:160-68.
Print.
This article in People Magazine goes deep into the pageant world,
describing what little girls go through every time they step foot on the pageant
stage. It shows how they get ready, spending hours on hair and makeup. It also
gives a cost-estimate on how much some pageant mothers spend for their
daughters to win. Up to $4,000 is spent on dresses, spray tans and professional
headshots. This article gives an outrageous figure to how much money and effort
parents put into these pageants.
I will be able to use this article in my essay because the price parents pay
for pageants are truly outrageous. Honestly, spending that much money and time
into just one day seems ridiculous. It makes the reader wonder if the girl actually
enjoys the pageants or if it’s their mother forcing them to sit still for three hours to
get ready. This fact will help my essay in showing how outrageous pageants can
be.