As parents, we all believe our children are the cutest, the most amazing or absolutely the MOST compared to any other child. It is not that we set out to compare our child, it is just that love and pride keep our focus directed at our babies and we see them with our hearts which makes them the most perfect child ever born.
We have heard it many times, we probably have even said it ourselves, “isn’t he the most adorable baby ever?” or “has there ever been a prettier baby born than my daughter?” We applaud beauty and often refer to a beautiful face as a “natural beauty.”
While most of us do not get too bogged down with our child’s outside beauty, there is a certain population that does and tries to make the most of it. Child beauty pageants have always been a bit controversial but with reality shows like Toddler and Tiaras it now becomes a question of who is competing and why.
I am referring to the parents of children who compete in the beauty pageant circuit. This is not just limited to girls but they do make up the major number of contestants. I have been watching “Toddlers and Tiaras” and I know this is just a few of the many children and parents who spend time and a great deal of money making the rounds of beauty shows. But, I have to admit; even this minority leaves me wondering “what are they thinking?’
For me, there is quite a bit disturbing about this inside view of what is considered “Beauty.” Little girls as young as 1 year of age need make-up, costumes that costs hundreds of dollars and moves that rival belly dancers. 2 and 3 year olds have spray tans and false eyelashes. 3 and 4 year olds have costumes that may be a bit skimpy by most standards. And 5-6 years olds wear “flippers” (fake teeth to cover the missing teeth they lose as expected. Just what is “natural” about that?
Even more disturbing are the tactics used to keep these children “wired” to perform when their number is called. They have concoctions of sugary energy drinks they refer to as “goo Juice” (Mountain Dew with Red Bull)_ meant to act as speed to keep the kids awake. Or you will see many of them drinking Coca Cola or sucking on pixie stixs—in an effort to stay energized.
Many of the kids on the show have some serious distortions of who they are and what is important. They tend to act out (so much pressure can do that to a child) and in a showground meant to foster sportsmanship and healthy competition, fall seriously short on that front.
I guess the question would be “how does a 2 year old know they aspire to be a “pageant princess “ unless coaxed by their parents, or in the matter of this show, their Moms. The mothers showcased can be extreme in their behaviors, ambitions and expectations for their children. The mothers usually shown give new meaning to the term “stage mothers.”
I believe we should encourage our children and support their dreams. I believe that no matter how much we wish this were not a superficial world, it still is but we need to do whatever we can to offset those perceptions till our children are mature enough to handle that concept. I believe all children are amazing and beautiful in many different and special ways and do not wish for that focus to always be on their appearance.
But, if we insist on judging by appearance alone, isn’t there something wrong with a world where the only way you can stand a chance of winning is by extreme measures such as:
- unconventional and expensive outfits
- false teeth and lashes
- spray tans
- mannerisms of an adult
- knowing what you want to be when you grow up at 2
- unhealthy drinks to keep them in “performance” mode
- big hair and hairpieces
In social media we constantly hear about our true voice, our authentic selves. This is very important today so why is that not the expectation for a young child—to be themselves. As a parent, I certainly believed my daughter was a beautiful child—my eyes were clouded with love, But that is not the only identity I hoped for her, I wanted her to be well-rounded and most of all—REAL. I hoped for her splendor to radiate from the inside out. And to be a NATURAL.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I am sorry, but I see NO Pro’s to children being in any kind of Beauty Pageant. I do feel and see many Con’s to this type of life-style for a child such as, just to name a few:
1. Their Natural beauty is completely hidden by Makeup, gowns, etc.
2. They will end up with Hurt Feelings.
3. Pageants are very, very Time Consuming for a child.
(Constantly practicing Smiles, Walks & Turns)
4. The Expense?? Rediculous.
5. Hours spent with Make-up, Wigs, dresses and Gowns.
These are just a minimal few con’s that I can just pick off the top of my head.
Pleae Moms, give this lifestyle a lot of thought before commiting your child.
It would be interesting to follow these kids throughout their life and see what results from these practices. I would think unfortunately self image disorders.
This is such a sad commentary on what some value as important. My heart cries for the little ones subjected to this type of abuse! Children need to be children for as long as possible! Give me Peter Pan anytime!
I think the whole pageant thing is crazy. How can these children believe they are actually beautiful when they need all that make up and the spray tans and fake hair.