Shultz, Kristen, and Ann P. Murphy. "Beauty Pageants Draw Children and Criticism." ABC News. ABC, 26 Feb. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=126315&page=1
Children dressed up in big gowns, hair done perfectly, and make-up to go "ga-ga" over. This is what pageants have come down to in a nutshell. As the participation rises, so does criticism. Children are put under tremendous stress through pageants, from anywhere to spray tans, fake eyelashes, and even fake teeth. As people start to cry foul, parents of girls have supported what their girls are doing, saying that they're doing what they love to do and that it's like "being Cinderella" for a day or two. But is that all that's really going on? As the article continues, we find that children could be put under too much pressure to be perfect and all about self image. Also, some believe that they are getting pushed into sexuality too fast through dressing up in racy outfits and learning to dance. Parents say its no different than pressuring your son or daughter to be good at a sport or art. This was a very interesting article to me in more ways than one. It has a good argument though I think it's a little bias toward the non-pageant thinking style. It does a good job of producing both sides of the argument, talking to child psychiatrists and actual pageant contestants like Mrs. Maryland. I don't know that most people would find it very interesting simply for the fact that, they couldn't really give a hoot if somebody they don't know is in some pageant. And with the success of Toddlers and Tiaras, people have been given a background look at the pageant world and they were mortified. I believe that children shouldn't be forced to do anything like that and if they do decide they want to, they shouldn't be wearing what adults should wear. This includes make-up, fake eyelashes, fake teeth, and wigs. But then again, that's just my opinion.
This is a neat post. I can relate as I have been watching the show Toddlers and Tiaras and the same questions entered my mind. It is becoming a more controversial topic since the hit TV show started and now pageant moms are going to extrmems to make their opinion known. I agree though, I don't know if this topic is as important as it doesn't affect many of us personally. There is more research out there that could be ton to form a better educated opinion, but maybe not for a big research paper. Cool post!
ReplyDeleteThis topic never came to mind when I was thinking about writing my own posts but is quite interesting. I too have watched the show "Toddlers and Tiaras" and find it ridiculous how crazy some of those moms can be! The pressure they put on their young daughters seems too intense, after all they are only children. By what I've seen on the show, the result of this pressure usually leads to tears. I do agree that not all of our classmates would be interested in this topic, especially the boys, but with a little more research and supporting facts this could be a good argumentative topic for a paper! Nice job!
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