“Individuality in looks, capability, poise, perfection, and confidence” is that what little
girls are made of? (Nussbaum) That is considered the complete package that child beauty
pageants are looking for when they judge these children. Are these competitions casting a
negative shadow on young girls in the world? In the growing scene of child beauty pageants this
question is beginning to surface. These competitions, that on the surface might seem innocent,
are causing a controversy. Some claim that participating in these pageants is helping with the
developmental process of children. What it all boils down to is an important question, are child
beauty pageants helping our children succeed or setting them up for failure?
The Positive Side of Child Pageants
Not all people have a negative outlook on child beauty pageants. In her article Schultz
wrote about the positive aspects of pageants from both parent and judges point of veiw. A lot of
parents say that their only goal is to help their children develop fundamental life skills. Children
are given an opportunity to meet new people and obtain people skills. They are also able to
become comfortable being in front of a crowd. One family in particular put the money that their
children win in competition and put it towards their college education (Shultz 2011). Many
pageants even give out scholarships to help the children work towards a bright future. The
founder of Universal Royalty Child and Baby Beauty Pageants, Annette Hill, stated “Pageants
allow for quality family time, everyone is involved, and everyone gets to go out for dinner
together and travel together, and it promotes positive self esteem. Children that compete are
more assertive and vocal, they aren’t afraid to look you in the eye and when they talk to you, and
they communicate very well.” (McKay 2010)
It does not seem naive to question whether or not these competitions are getting out of
hand. There are however parents who enter their children for reasons other than awards. In the
article ‘The whys and woes of Beauty Pageants’, written by William Cromie, three parents put
their children into pageants because they have birth defects such as cleft palate. They felt the
experience would show the children that they were beautiful too (Cromie 2000). Pageant director
and former child participant, Beatriz Gill, is interested in making the experience positive for
participants. She choses not to allow make-up or snug costumes in her pageant (Nussbaum). By
placing these restrictions on the competition she is making the competition about the kids. After
the JonBenet tragedy about 15 percent of beauty pageants for those under 13 have switched from
Glamor pageants with make-up, to a more natural look (Bowling 2006). When they are not
leading with sexuality the entire situation is more appropriate and the children are acting
themselves. Gill also states, “I believe that pageants have a long road before achieving a safe
environment for children without introducing them to competition, sexuality and disappointment
too early in life” (Nussbaum). So yes, a safe and beneficial enviornment is acheivable but it is
much less common in the pageant world. In order for these competitions to be considered a
positive experience more pageant directors would have to see that at this point they are putting
children at risk.
The Negative Side of Child Pageants
Many people do not see what goes on behind the scenes of child beauty pageants,
refering to both emotional and enviornmental issues. One of the first television shows produced
in an attempt to give people an inside look at the competitions is TLC’s ‘Toddlers in Tiaras’.
This show was an eye opener for many. It gave people a chance to see what goes into preparing
for a pageant. Some of the facts are shocking. Kristen Schultz, author of the article ‘Beauty
Pageants Draw Children and Criticism’, states that the average cost of participating starts at
$1,000 and goes up from there (Schultz). It was rather startling to learn that many of the dresses
purchased cost more than the average woman will spend on her wedding dress. Depending on
how much families are willing to devote to pageants ranges as well. Families are turing to
personal trainers to prepare their little princess for battle. A large amount of the children's free
time is spent practicing different dance routines.
On the day of a competition most families time and money goes into their child’s
appearance. It is not unusual to see these little ‘beauty’s’ showing off a fresh new spray tan.
Along with their done up hair and acrylic nails. Last but not least, a layer of make-up and false
eye lashes. Because of the children’s young age naturally they are beginning to lose teeth so false
teeth, called flippers, are used to cover up the imperfection. “What they are learning basically is
that they have one characteristic which is of total primary importance and that is their body and
attractiveness” states Syd Brown, a child and adolescent psychologist (Schultz). So the question
is what is the purpose of these beauty pageants if the children are not judged on their natural
beauty? Are these pageants beneficial? There are often cases of stage moms involved in
competitions that lose sight of the fact that these are indeed children who are in need of a
childhood.
When children are made up to look like “Barbie” you are teaching them that they are not
good enough being themselves. According to clinical psychologist, William Pinsof, “Being a
little Barbie doll says that your body has to be a certain way and that your hair has to be a certain
way. In girls particularly, this can unleash a whole complex of destructive self-experiences that
can lead to eating disorders and all kinds of body distortions in terms of body image.”
(Nussbaum) In the United States children beauty pageants have been linked to three of the most
common mental health problems of girls and women: eating disorders, low self-esteem, and
depressions. (Weiner 2007) In the book ‘Guidelines For Adolescent Nutrition Service’ Jillian
Croll states that 50-88% of adolescent girls feel negatively about their body shape or size (Croll
2005).
This is what starts to light the controversial fire for some parents and professionals as
they learn the details. The amount of sexualization in these competitions does not set well with
many people. We often hear the line “children grow up too fast” but child beauty pageants
encourage it. It has been suggested that a large number of these child beauty pageants cross a the
line to become child abuse. Child abuse is defined as exploitation of a child (Nussbaum). As
frightening as this sounds, it is not a matter that should be taken lightly. One particular incident
that caught the attention of the media was when a three year old girl was dressed for the costume
portion on her competition as Julia Roberts from the movie ‘Pretty Woman’ wearing her hooker
costume. The week before that a little girl was dressed as Dolly Parton complete with fake
breasts and butt. “Playing dress-up is part of being a kid, but when adults step in, apply the
make-up, the clothes and instructions on composure, posture, and gesture the game becomes
something else.” (Haley-Dort) It is a concern that this can confuse young children during their
development. “When you have them looking older, for a lot of people that means looking sexier.
I don’t think it’s a great idea for girls at that age to be focused so much on their sexuality, If
you’re telling a 6-year-old to act like a 16-year-old, you’re telling her to be seductive and to be
sexy.” (Schultz 2011) Some would question this behavior for as healthy for even a girl of
sixteen.
According to Dr. Nancy Irwin, a Los Angeles-based psychotherapist, “As a treatment
professional of sex offenders as well as victims of sexual abuse, I would like parents of these
little girls to assume responsibility for their choices. They are sexualizing their young children.
Do not be surprised if your child is preyed upon as a result of this high degree of visibility.”
(McKay 2010) At first this statement might catch you a little of guard because frankly it is a
disturbing thought, but it is not something to be ignored. One of the most talked about pageant
tragedies was the JonBenet Ramsey case. In 1996, 6-year-old pageant star JonBenet Ramsey was
found murdered in her home (Montaldo 2011). The case was more than startling but it did point
out the fact that these pageants can potentially be dangerous. Paul Peterson, is a former actor and
founder of a Minor Consideration, an organization working to change the child entertainment
industry. He feels that these pageants put demands on both children’s time and energies and
sexualizes young girls (Schultz).
The more that I researched the controversey behind child beauty pageants the stronger I
felt that overall they are harmful to young children. When children are exposed to such an adult
world they are receiving mixed messages. According to J. Frashier Mustard, PhD, The early
years of human development establish the basic architecture and function of the brain
(Mustard 2010). What these children are learning in competitions is that they should be
acting older than they actually are and that their appearance is what matters. Though it
is not necessarily true for all children involved in pageants many of them could be faced
with health issues later on in life. While their stage moms love to sit in the audience and
claim they have the cutest child in the competition, they are failing to look at the big
picture. It can be argued that many of the mothers involved are trying to make up for
something they did not have while growing up. Whether that be beauty, money, or self
confidence. During her research Levey conducted an interview with forty-one pageant
mothers who participate in an average of five pageants per year. Levey concluded that
mothers of lower-income and education enter their children in pageants because they
want their children to learn the proper skills necessary to move up on the social scale. In
my opinion this reasoning seems questionable to say the least.
As parents,the majority would agree that a child’s health is very important not
only in the present but in the future. That is why I feel that more parents need to be
informed on children’s development. Throughout my research numerous psychologist
touched on the same exact point, child beauty pageants have a negative effect on
development. As Clyde Hertzman, MD states in the Encyclopidia on Early Childhood
Development; early in life, sesitive periods occur in the brain when the child is
disproportionatel sensitive to the influences of the external enviornment. The interplay of
the developing brain with the enviornment is the driving force of development. The
process of early experience shaping brain and biological development in ways that
influence development over the life course is known as biological embedding (Hertzman
2010). With information such as this I think it is plain to see that when these little girls
are conditioned to worry about their looks and if they are pretty enough to win a crown
they will infact experience health issues down the road. As stated in the Kaiser
Permanente studies in California it was found that adults with mental health problems,
addiction, obesity, type II Diabetes, coronary artery disease, and other conditions in
adult life had poor early development. There are studies done all over the world that
show the importance of teaching healthy competition, eating habbits, and social
interaction. Granted, as I have previously stated so parents have good reasoning for
including their children in the pageants and make it a positive experience. But we
cannot overlook the fact that many do not, While I recently watched an episode of
‘Toddlers in Tiarras’ I watched a mother give her daughter three redbull drinks
throughout the day in her sippy-cup. It is a known fact that energy drinks are not healthy
for adults let alone children.