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.