We went to Steven's best friend's house this weekend for his dad's seventy-ninth birthday. Me and the only other two girls there under thirty-five ended up in the bedroom watching a special on beauty pageants for kids.
I was appalled by the spectacle that is beauty pageants for small children. I saw one father encourage his six year old to flirt with the judge. Hello! Do you want your child molested? Would that be okay as long as she won? Don't even get me started on the little girls who were in short shorts and halter tops and who were "shaking it." They haven't even hit puberty yet! There is nothing to shake! They had one year olds in makeup and teased hair.
WTF are the kids supposed to be getting out of this? They little girl that ended up winning the big pageant at the end looked exhausted and unhappy throughout most of the show. I felt so sorry for her. Her trailer trash mother has spent about $70,000 so far on pageants. The prize money for her big win: $2,500.
It was really depressing to watch and the strange, latent sexuality that ran through it made me want to strangle all of the parents. I suppose the grand scheme behind all of this madness is that eventually the girl may win a modeling contract or break into show business. The only thing I see happening, though, is yet another little girl learning that the only thing that counts is the way she looks and that if you flirt with the old men in power you may get something.
I totally agree! Kids need to be kids not made up and fake. Parents need to quit living their dreams through their kids and live their own life and not their kids. LET THEM BE KIDS, WHILE THEY STILL CAN!
Posted by Lyndsi Rowell at June 13, 2003 10:33 PM
I dont think there is anything wrong in child pageants. Not all of them are as bad as others. Both of my daughter (3 years and 10years) are in pageants. they spend hours every week in practice, and they both wear makeup, fake hair, and fake eyelashes. They both know that we compeat only to have fun. Although they both also know that if they dont win I will be upset and so will they
Posted by pageantmom at June 16, 2003 03:30 PM
Hello there I am Darren Austin
I am the host of the internet based talk show "Darren Austin Live" .
I was surfing the internet and I found your site.
I would like to invite you to be a guest on my show and talk about Child Beauty pageants and are they okay ?
My show is on the internet and has 800 listeners every week . The show is recorded live on Monday @ 5:15 PST and 8:15 EST .
If you would like to be a guest please respond to the email and or call the studio.
Studio -818-577-4555 ext 264
or my cell :818-915-5538
I look forward to hearing from you !
Till then be good 2 you
Darren Austin
Posted by Darren Austin at June 16, 2003 06:49 PM
I agree with you very much but I myself do pageants 
but i do agree that kids should not have to flirt to win. but i am myself still a pre-teen are in many pageants but they are not about make-up and your not alowed to where it! and I love them but thats my thoughts!!!!! 
Posted by Elly (pangent girl) at August 20, 2003 07:57 PM
I dont mind beauty pageants as long as the child enjoys it. But putting a lot of makeup on an under 3 yr old is just plain sick. Theyre not even old enough to no whats going on or to even like playing dress up. So what your doing is only for your own benefit not your childs! And as for someone who lets their child know theyre upset when the child doesnt win, is not teaching the child anything in life!
Posted by Raven at October 14, 2003 02:45 PM
I think both of my daughters really enjoy pageants. They know what it is to win and they know how it feels to lose. Both of them hate losing but they know its not all about winning. I am upset when they lose, but im not upset at them. As for putting makeup on my three-year-old, I dont think that there is anything wrong with that, its only for pageants, and she likes it.
Posted by pageantmom at October 20, 2003 02:15 PM
I'm a student documentary photographer in the UK, and we just don't have pageants over here. I think the debate is really interesting.
I would like to do a photo documentary on pageants, and follow a family in the lead up to a beauty pageant and the pageant itself. I am really interested in photographing normal family life as well. Is anyone out there interested in helping me out and taking part? This would involve letting me into your life for a week or so, anyone interested?
Posted by shelby at November 11, 2003 10:08 AM
I have to say as a widowed father of a little girl who wanted to be in a pageant, that it's well worth investigating on your own BEFORE you and your child get sucked in. Part of my investigation involved attending an actual Fall season pageant, and what I saw appalled me! Grown MEN WHISTLING at the little girls, some as young as 3 years old! Well, that made up my mind right then and there. My baby wasn't going to be subjected to that blatant sexualization of children. Not while I was her father! Beware!
Posted by Appalled Dad at November 16, 2003 09:13 PM
I came acrossed you sight and read everything. It is totally insane what some parents will do for their children to win the pageant. Yes if the children like doing it you should research a very good pageant and not go to ones with old men whistling at your three year old daughter.
Posted by Onlooker at December 2, 2003 02:31 PM
hi... i'm doing a school french project on child beauty pageants, and i have been attempting to research all sides of it, such as reasons why parents sign their child up for such events, costs, and other people's opinions. i can admit that perhaps there are a few good sides to putting children into pageants. i found a few families with children who suffered from birth defects and such, and their reasons for putting their children in pageants were to boost esteem, and make them feel no different from other children out there. But i also think its ridiculous that when a child wears their costume and make up, how OLD they look. I found a few pictures of 'before' and 'after' shots of a 5 year old girl. i am almost 17 years old, and this girl looked like she should be in high school, or very close to it. Things like this is appaling. Why do pageants need the glitter and glam of makeup and the short skirts. Wat happened to the cute little outfits that made them look like their age? i dont exactly have a strong opinion on the matter, i do believe there are good points for both sides of the debate, but i say, for the most part, let your kids have fun while acting and LOOKING their age.
Posted by sMaps at December 3, 2003 04:29 PM
I think that living through your children is absolutely wrong, and I know a person who does this. To some degree, it is EMOTIONAL ABUSE!!! Pageants STINK!
Posted by Brooke Thomas at December 13, 2003 03:28 PM
Pageants are awsome and a lot of fun, insted of insulting them maybe you should try one, or maybe the problem is you already have and are too ugly to win. You shouldn't make fun of things because your ugly and jelous
Posted by beautyqueen at January 1, 2004 01:17 PM
I can honestly say that I am appaled by some, and not by others. Some people claim that it boosts esteem and gives a positive outlet for their children. I have only a few words of caution to parents.
All things should be done in moderation.
Meaning, yeah okay your kid is in a beauty pageant once or twice, but you aren't overzelous with the makeup or the skimpy costumes. And you definatly don't tell your kid that it's the end of the world if you lose. You go home take them to a movie, buy them ice cream or something to show that you'll love them no matter what happens. This not only goes for the pageants, this goes for soccer Moms and baseball Dads too. Too often our socity places such high pressure to win and be the champion, and if you lose that you are worth nothing and you weren't trying hard enough or you are being punished by losing for you inablity to go that extra mile and push, push, push!
Remember it is not the destination but the journey that counts.
Also I have another subject to address, at another website in support of pageants (which really was bashing those who dissagreed with them) Femininity is not the problem with our culture. They claimed that a feminine woman was looked down upon, and a lady like woman was put to shame! How could they make that statement is beyond me, however, it is true our socity places more trust and value in those who do not fall into a girlish rut. But the challenge is to show the world that you can be pretty and have a brain. Although it is very typical to see a young girl that is overconcoius of her image not to be very smart, I must say in my travels I have encountered many that are smart as well as beautiful.It must be marked that you should have a brain before you are beautiful, because that brain will carry you farther than a goregous head of hair ever will...
Posted by SuperRabbit21 at January 2, 2004 01:31 PM
As long as you don't push them to far pageants are lots of fun. My niece competes and she doesn't have to wear make-up or sleazy outfits or really spend alot of money.
It all depends on what pageants you enter into.There are those parents who are really crazy though and any man who whistles at my niece would get their head knocked off!
Posted by angel mandie at January 15, 2004 09:50 PM
Pageants are a wondeful thing my daughter is 21 months old and its just alot of fun i see nothing wrong with glitz and glam!!! only a pervert would think nasty of a child winking @ him!!!arcades and school fundraisers are a big rip off too!!! you sell or spend alot and end up with with a toy you could have gotten @ $tree!!! pageants help motivate and give children and any1 who enters self confidence a new sense of pride personality and of course popularity . every1 just has to remember its just like anything else adventually if a child isnt really into it they quit!!!AND makeup always wears off!!! if YOU DONT WANT YOUR CHILD IN PAGEANTS DONT ENTER THEM Im sure noone will be knocking your door down begging you to enter or making you watch!! I guess thats y being human is so great we all have free will!!! toodle loo!!:)
Posted by RIA at February 1, 2004 03:55 PM
Alright i was wondering if anybody that would like to would tell me if there for or against children beauty pageants you can email at atticusbl182@hotmail.com its for a school project and i really need some answers thanks for your help -Karleigh
Posted by Karleigh at February 11, 2004 03:33 PM
I myself have a 9 year old daughter and a six year old son that has been competing in pageant for two years... She does wear light make up but no hair extentions. I also saw that special on t.v but it did not change my mind about pageants. When my daughter started she had no self confedince, was shy and withdrawn. Now she shines. She is still a little shy but she will say hello when spoken to. My daughter has also had many doors opened for her bacause of pageants. She is now signed with a major ageant, has been in the recording studio twice.Had many apperences on local t.v, you name it. I do agree that this has to be the child chose. My daughter did not want to go to our nationals this year. She wanted to go to a festival instead. That was her choice. For my son the pageant has given him the chance to be like other kids his age. He is Autistic and when he is on the stage he is just like one of the other boys. It has done wounders for him.... I think that most pageant are good for the kids as long as it's not taken to far.
Posted by canadianmom at February 26, 2004 01:12 PM
HELLO! I DON'T THINK PUTTING YOUR CHILD IN PAGAENTS IS ANY DIFFERENT THAN SIGNING UP YOUR SON FOR LITTLE LEAGUE OR YOUR LITTLE GIRL TO DO BALLET - OR VICE VERSA...WE PUT OR KIDS IN KARATE, ACTING CLASSES, MUSIC CLASSES...WHEN WE DO THESE THINGS AND OTHER MINOR THINGS WE ARE LIVING THROUGH THEM VICAREOUSLY BUT PART OF THAT IS A GOOD THINK BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT CERTAIN THINGS WE LEARN FROM THESE THINGS -SPORTSMANSHIP, POISE, PRESENTATION, CONFEDIENCE ARE THINGS THAT AREN' T NECESSARILY LEARNED IN SCHOOL BUT ARE IMPORTANT IN LIFE. THERE ARE CERTAINLY ALTERNATIVES TO PAGEANTS. FIND WHAT INTERESTS THE KID AND DO IT! IF YOUR KID IS TO YOUNG TO DECIDE THEN DECIDE FOR THEM UNTIL THEY CAN TELL YOU THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING ELSE. WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE? SOME PARENTS DEFINATELY OVER DO IT WITH THE MAKE UP ...BUT I HONESTLY COULD NOT IMAGINE THINKING OF A 25 YO WOMAN WHEN WATCHING A YOUNG GIRL IN A GLITZY TEA LENGTH DRESS...IF YOU FIND THAT SEXUALY ATTRACTIVE THEN YOU'VE GOT PROBELMS!
Posted by HTKIDSMOM at April 2, 2004 02:37 PM
Hello i am doing a persuasion paper on the pros and cons of child beauty pageants and if you could e-mail your point of view to spike_head84@hotmail.com before april 16 thanx!!
Posted by Rachel at April 13, 2004 10:02 PM
The girl who said people agaisnt pageants are just jealous because they are too ugly to win is the exact reason I do not want my daughter to enter one. She does not need to associate with people who have this attitude.
Even if the girl who made this comment is pretty on the outside-she is obviously ugly inside. What would she do if she was in a car accident tomorrow and was disfigured? We can not teach our children to rely only on their looks. Kids shouldn't be involved in pageants until they are old enough to say it is fun. Since when can a 21 month old say Hey mom lets do pageants because I like them. They can't even talk yet!!
Posted by shannon at April 21, 2004 07:12 PM
I have to agree. When my daughter started pageants three years ago it was her choice. SHe was 7 years old and wanted to see what it was like. This weekend we where at the same pageant we've been going to for three years and after she decided she didn't want to go back to that one again. She ws upset about a placing and that the same kids always won the same things. I can support her decision. BUT I would not have entered her if it wasn't her choice. We did one baby contest when she was 4 months old and never did it again until she was 7 and could make up her own mind. As far as how pretty a child is .. ALL CHILDREN ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Posted by Aimee at April 22, 2004 07:40 AM
Um, yea....you people who put your kids in these pageants are really screwed in the head. And just because I'm not in one doesn't mean I'm ugly. I'm 17 and a varsity cheerleader and I don't need to be in a pageant for some confidence because I know there is way more to life than just looks. Are your kids going to flirt for the rest of their lives to get what they want? That's so pathetic. At least I can say I am independent and I don't have to depend on anyone to feel a certain way. I'll get what I want by working for it, not by misleadng people and having old guys get turned on by my looks so I can get whatever I want. There is basically no skill in pageants. Yeah..makeup to make them LOOK pretty...but anyone can make themselves look better with makeup. At least theres skill required for cheerleading and other sports! I am so glad my mom never forced me into something so rediculous like a pageant!! I've gotten offers but have turned them down without a second thought. My cousin was in one though when she was 8 and she said she hated it but was afraid to tell her mom because her mom was putting so much pressure on her and she didn't want to disappoint her. She said it was painful as hell when they waxed her legs and she was crying and they got mad at her because then they had to re-do her makeup. What parent would make their 8 year old have their legs waxed!! Oh yea...a pageant mom. Why are parents making their children go through this? You parents are so pathetic, if you really loved them you wouldn't drill it in their minds that money and looks are all that matters. But it's okay if their around my age, as long as they know personality is a bigger plus than their looks. 
Posted by Courtney at April 24, 2004 05:49 PM
All things in moderation, a wise someone or other once said. Pageants, just like anything else, have their good and bad sides. I think its great that their are mothers and daughters out there who can do a few pageants and have a great time. But there are always those mothers out there who, for whatever reason, want to live vicariously through their children. Unfortunately for some of these little girls, mother's influence reigns over them well beyond child pageant years. I saw a documentary on A&E recently, and one of the participants was a 14 year old girl with cystic fibrosis. Doctors said she would be dead before sixteen. Now, this pageant was a wonderful opportunity for her and her mother to bond - especially for the mother knowing that her daughter could die any day. When her daughter didn't win the pageant, the mother was furious. Not specifically at the daughter, but at the people running the pageant (whom she referred to as "that cult"), and at the other participants. She even said to her daughter in this snooty way "You are superior to them!" The look in her daughter's eyes was just one of pure exhaustion. I felt horrible for her. When the documentary ended, it ended with words on the screen, saying that it was dedicated to this one girl, who had died later that same year, still 14. I felt so empty after that, I mean, the whole thing seemed absurd to me.
Well, enough rambling. I would also like to address the young lady that threw out the cheap pot shot claiming that those of us not in pageants are ugly. Simply not true, as I'm sure you knew even as you typed the words. We've just chosen other activities to get into. And our activities can also be turned to bad, if you will. I took four years of ballet in high school and definitely had to deal with some "mother divas". But then there were also the people there simply for the fun of it. And you know what, if you like doing pageants, I say do it and put your heart into it. But I also implore you to respect others. There are many people who are ugly (on today's scale of comparison), but that doesn't mean they are any less than you or me. Bill Gates isn't exactly drop dead gorgeous, but I'm pretty sure he isn't complaining right now. Respect others, and also respect yourself enough to know that if they don't like what you do, it doesn't matter. It was never their choich anyway.
Posted by Lysa at May 1, 2004 08:17 PM
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Posted by at May 28, 2004 01:20 PM
I think kids should be able to enter beauty pageants because its a chance for kids to have fun and show the world what they are made of. Plus if you didnt know wearing make-up and skimpy clothing is optional you can put as much make-up on as you want and choose whatever clothing you want to wear.
Posted by Rea at June 10, 2004 03:20 PM
i'm 14 years old from england, and recently i've been doing a lot of thought on beauty pageants and the moral issues it abuses. when a child is young they dream of a showbiz lifestyle, they crave the idea of being famous and having all the money, but when it comes down to it this is exactly the kind of lifestyle children should be kept away from! beauty pageants make children believe they can have this lifestyle. i personally think pageants are sick, what kind of parents would allow their child to be whistled at by older men and to parade about in skimpy clothes and make-up?! and dont give me that shit about how there "just like little league games" or "fun for the kids!" hello?! what planet r u from?! pageants r yet another way to encourage pedophilia and sexual assult! if ur thinking about entering your child in 2 a pageant, please come down 2 earth for a minute and realise what ur doing! and if ur child already is in one, u need a serious reality check! do u really want ur child 2 grow up thinking all that matters is the way they look? and they can use these looks 2 get what they want.
beauty pageants are just a front for sexual explotation in children.
Posted by brit at June 15, 2004 06:03 PM
Hi, I'm yet another Brit and can safely say that the attitude of some of your all American pageant mom's genuinely astounds the majority of the English population. All these pictures of babys being propped up by grown adults who should know better while an oversized tiara is plopped on their heads would be laughable if it wasn't for the fact that this is a child! All that matters to a child is the fact that there mother loves them for who they are and I can't help but feel that it is emotionally damaging for that same child when they witness their parents fussing and fretting over their hairstyles and posture, assuring them that the world will stop spinning unless everyone else approves of their ball gown! Children are simple creatures with simple needs, Rimmel is not one of them, acceptance for their scabby elbows and muddy knees after a day out playing is. I'd be interested to know how many of these children grow up to have eating disorders due to their parents 'concern' for their childs image. Jonbenet was a very serious warning of the consequences of the child pageant, be it the unlikely peodophile intruder allured by her scanty stage outfits or a mothers loss of temper bought about by her obsession with her little star being less than perfect and wetting the bed as normal children do. And before beauty queen accuses me of being jealous, perhaps she should learn to spell it first, but then again so long as she finds a nice rich man to pay for a pedicure on a regular basis intellect is obviously the least important accessory she requires.No tiny tuxedo could make my two young son's look better than when they are making mud pies or digging up worms in the sun shine and smiling up at me for letting them enjoy being what they are meant to be.
Jonbenet's not a fictional character, she was a very real little girl who's own emotional needs where overshadowed by her mothers, her death perhaps even caused by being exposed to her mothers dream lifestyle- take heed!
Posted by amber at June 23, 2004 09:53 AM
Personally I believe pageants are ok, without the make-up, and clothes!! Children are such for a reason. They are growing a learning about themselves everyday. Teaching self esteem is so small in the learning process. What about RESPECT for themselves, and others. Honesty, Trust, Companionship, you don't find this at pageants. You find small children learning to flaunt things they don't have and know NOTHING about. I have twin male cousins who entered a local pageant at 2 yrs. old, they beat out children in tux's. They were wearing $10 short outfits, and the judges called one's name and the others number. Are they really looking at the child?? 
Posted by Tweety at June 23, 2004 09:53 PM
I think, when it comes down to it, just like any other argument, the situation is not black or white. There are too many factors to determine whether or not pageants are healthy in general. In the end, it depends on the specific pageant, the child, the mother, the motivations, etc. However, I do agree that there are much better ways to teach your child self esteem. I'm 19 and it would mean the world to me if my mother would tell me she loved me every day, not in passing, but in conversation, and really meant it. Or did something really small, like left a note for me for when I get home from work. If you want to bring your child up right, just be there to love them and support them in whatever they do. WHATEVER THEY DO. Self esteem comes from surrounding yourself with people who love and care about you, who dote on you, not from winning a contest. Make them feel special and they will believe in themselves.
Posted by Faith at June 25, 2004 12:31 PM
If you do not like something then do not watch it. This is a personal choice not yours! Some children ask to be in pageants and some are forced, however it does teach child to be confident and outgoing.
Posted by Jenney at July 3, 2004 03:07 AM
I am a pageant mom of a 1 and 3 yr old. My 3 yr old has worn blush before, and clear lipgloss. I do not use fake hair or lashes. My daughters have won many many pageants just being natural. Currently my 3 yr old is not participating in pageants because she does not want to. This is her choice, and my daughters decide if they participate in pageants. My 1 yr old gets very excited when she is on stage and she loves the attention and I feel she enjoys pageants and thats why I make the choice to continue to have her participate. I feel that some parents are too pushy about pageants and take them too far. If anyone needs to be "dolled" up to win a beauty pageant, then they are not beautiful in the first place. Beauty is natural. And in the case of my daughters they are natural and it shows with the 100s of awards they have won all together. I will not allow my children to participate in a pageant that requires the "un natural". They are children. They still enjoy being children. We do an average of 8-10 pageants a yr. Each person on this message board has and has voiced their opinion. But to the one who started this message board, "YOU SAW SOMETHING ON T.V. THAT SHOWED THE "BAD" SIDE OF PAGEANTS. IF YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE SUCH COMMENTS AS YOU HAVE, YOU NEED TO OBTAIN BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY AND REALIZE THAT PARENTS OTHER THAN PAGEANT PARENTS EXPLOIT THEIR CHILDREN AS WELL.WHAT ABOUT SPORTS DADS WHO YELL AT COACHES BECAUSE THEIR KID DIDN'T PLAY AS MUCH AS THAT DAD WANTED THEM TO AND CHEERLEADER MOMS WHO MAKE THEIR DAUGHTERS "WATCH" WHAT THEY EAT AND GO TO THE TANNING BED AND THEIR ONLY 7. SOME PARENTS JUST TAKE ANY CHILD ACTIVITY TOO FAR. PAGEANTS IN THE CORRECT MANNER CAN BE FUN. YOU SAW ONE PARENT WHO TOOK THE PAGEANT TOO FAR. DID YOU EVER THINK THAT MAYBE THAT MOM JUST TOOK EVERYTHING IN HER DAUGHTER'S LIFE TOO FAR AND WAS ON A POWER TRIP. IT WAS HER SICK MIND THAT MADE GOOD PAGEANT MOMS LIKE ME LOOK BAD. WHEN PEOPLE SEE THE BAD SIDE OF PAGEANTS THEY COME TO THE OPINION YOU HAVE, BUT I SAY THE SAME TO THEM. EACH STORY HAS TO SIDES AND WITHOUT BOTH, THE OPION FORMED IS BIASED AND UNEDUCATED. WHEN YOU GET ON A MEASSAGE BOARD LIKE THIS AND DON'T KNOW BOTH SIDES, YOU MAKE YOURSELF LOOK STUPID."
Posted by Amber at July 11, 2004 10:34 PM
I CANT BELIEVE YOU PEOPLE ARE DOING THIS! WHAT KIND OF SICK FREAKS WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO A POOR CHILD? THESE ARE GOD'S CHILDREN AND LOOK WHAT YOUR DOING TO THERE PURITY AND THERE FLASHED MIND! THIS SHOULD BE ILLEGAL . . . TO EVEN TALK ABOUT DOING THIS!!! AND IF ANY OF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ME COMING IN HERE AND SAYING THIS THEN EMAIL ME . . . ID E HAPPY TO HERE FROM YOU !
GOD'S CHILD
Posted by Hannah at July 19, 2004 09:02 AM
i think parents should not force a child to become a pageant. i want to be a pageant but I'm overweight.
Posted by sandra at July 26, 2004 06:13 PM
I can understand your frustration, a lot ofparents take it to unhealthy levels, telling a child to flirt with an adult is disturbing. However, I plan on putting my children (I haven't any children as of yet)in to child pagaents. I* htink the costumes and hair and make-up is CUTE. I know that a lot of children enjoy it, I LOVED it as a child. It was like playing dessup times a million. However, there where some parents that even now I can remember, the didn't do it for there childrens enjoyment but for there own. They are probably the same parents that when their kids wherei n high school the tried to party with them. Some people express themselves through and live through their kids, it's sick and it just so happens that those parents often time choose pagaents as their outlet of choice. I guess my points is SOME PAGAENT PARENTS ARE SICK FREAKS BUT NOT ALL OF US!! feel free to e-mail me back with any thoughts
Posted by Andrea Marie at July 27, 2004 02:43 AM
i would never make my child look like a hooker or anything like that i think thats what imorture parents do
Posted by Jamie at August 15, 2004 01:30 PM
I think it is important to clarify what type of pageants we are talking about. I put my girls in a local pageant once a year. They wear light makeup and tasteful dresses and it is age appropriate and sweet. I have seen pageant systems on TV, etc. where the girls have bouffant hair, false eyelashes, hair extentions, and fake tanner. I think this sort of pageant is sick and doesn't teach our little girls to value what is important. However, I don't think I am wrong in allowing my 5 year old to participate in a low key type of pageant once a year. Everything in moderation! If the number of pageants, makeup, attitude of the parents, etc., is in moderation, it can be a positive experience for the child. By the way, most of the time the most beautiful child isn't even the one that wins. The winner has a combination of beauty, stage presence, and poise. A beautiful child that looks really nervous or unhappy on stage has little chance of winning!
Posted by luvmygirls at August 22, 2004 12:37 AM
i think that what you are doing is stupid because why would any one in there right mind want to make their child look like a hooker or to be molested? and with what you are promoting it aint helping the situation and i think that people like that should be shot!
Posted by Erin at September 4, 2004 04:11 PM
I'm doing a research on children and beauty pagents and what are the pros and cons and what kinds of pressure society and parents put on their kids. If you have opinions, links to good articles, anything please send me info. to wanders1@coastal.edu
Posted by Carolinagirl at September 6, 2004 04:19 PM
If you think pageants are ok, then hows about entering your child in a pageant and having them wear regular children's clothes and absolutely NO make-up and NO hairspray etc etc.
WHAT? You mean they won't win if you do that cause all the other little girls wear them?
I thought the goal was to have fun and participate in a "healthy" competition?
Not winning!
How far will you go to win when others do it? Short shorts? Bikini? Getting wolf whistles directed at your child????????
This whole idea of pageant makes me want to vomit!
You say that most don't go overboard on make-up and clothes?
You lie!
Do a search on child pageants and look at the photos of the winning children.
You people are very sick to do this to children. You need morals, badly.
Posted by J.M.S.H.M. at September 17, 2004 11:15 PM
My daughter is three and she loves pageant. We only do local NO-MAKE-UP ones. She has only made it second place but she loves dressing up. There is NOTHING wrong with pageants if they are nice. Checkout sunburst.com or americasmostbeautifulbabypageant.com
Posted by shygurl at October 3, 2004 07:19 PM
I recently entered my 3 year old into a local pageant, just to see her dressed up and to have a fun day. I'm still "on the fence" with the whole pageant thing, but everyone who has posted has very good points (except for the ones who have been downright insulting). I do feel that some pageants are in it ONLY to get money from people and the parents who enter their children in those pageants are asking for trouble. The pageants I've researched that picture the "winners" in $2000 and $3000 dresses, CAKED with make-up and looking like they have been to the tanning bed about a thousand times are simply DANGEROUS. Those are the pageants that teach that there is NO such thing as natural beauty, it's all about making yourself look different, not bringing out the beautiful natural features that kids already have. And every child has features to be brought out that will look beautiful! For example, my daughter has huge super blue eyes. So I just bring them out with a touch of mascara and let them "speak" for themselves. I mean, let's face it. We ALL want to look good. But a lot of pageants seem to teach that you cannot look good unless you drench the kids with make-up and hairspray. Someone also made a great point by saying that many parents are living through their kids by doing the pageant circuit. Parents need to examine their motives closely before encouraging their kids to be in ANYTHING - including sports. But kids do need SOME encouragement most often - especially if they are on the shy side. But ultimately you can tell if a child really enjoys what they are doing. Admittedly, I LOVE to dress my little girl up in fancy clothes and she loves twirling around in them too. But if I thought for one moment that she didn't like it or didn't want to do pageants - that would be the end of that. And parents should want their kids to look like THEIR KIDS - not a sad, made-up to look older and more glamerous replica. I also feel a good pageant will teach things like sportsmanship and comeratery between the contestants. So there is a lot of good and bad on both sides. The bottom line? THE PARENTS ARE ULTIMATELY THE ONES RESPONSIBLE. And if they TRULY love their kids, they will do NOTHING to potentially harm or abuse their child. I know I would rather DIE than do that to my baby. If all parents felt that way, many pageants would be changed or done away with all together. Anyone who'd like to chat more about pageants, e-mail me!
Posted by Jen Melton at October 23, 2004 01:04 AM
you suck
Posted by at October 23, 2004 06:20 PM
i think Jans comments are great. i have four children. all of which are great kids. ages 4 to 10. we have done everything from rugby to gymnastics. we have also done pageants since my baby was 9 monthes old. i have seen "nasty" parents on the sidelines of soccer and cheerleading. i have yet to see one pervert guy whistle at a pageant. i have yet to see my child or any other child filrt and wink at the judges( most of who are female). i have yet to hear of a girl being molested at a pagent (other than the one girl- jonbenet). but i have heard of little girls kidnapped at soccer games,men in the park bathrooms, gymnastic coaches molesting children and teachers that are fired and charged with sexual conduct every year. perverts can be anywhere. my word, you can find them at your local churches. are we to stop going to any of these activities?
my children have won trophies for pageants, soccer, art, literature, music and clown competions. they are very out going and love to have fun everywhere they go. when they ask to discontinue an activity - i listen and i let them choose. but to say i am a bad sick mom because i allow them to do a variety of activities- including pageants is shallow on your part. my children are confident in themselves and they know they are beautiful inside and out and they can do anything they want.
i know there are "pageant moms" that go too far-but why not hold all parents who go too far accountable? i have been a commissioner with my soccer association for six years and i have seen "soccer mom" abuse out there- kids crying because they lost. why not bash soccer? because that would be stupid, right?
the best part of the pageant is getting ready,choosing the pageant, deciding what to wear, shopping, the dresses, make-up, and inviting friends to join us. it is the ultimate girl time. we talk about it and it is fun. my girls love all kinds of activities. the pageants are just silly girly fun. we don't do "glitz", but they do want their hair fixed and a little make-up. why not??? it is like the best sleep-over party with your own daughter. it is just one more thing that we can do together. and if it ends tomarrow, well then it ends! we will move on to another activity and make it the best thing ever.
i will never regret the time or the money i have spent on pageants. i will never want to take any of these memories back. i love the memories. my girls love the memories. the silly things we did and said. all the fun and laughes we shared. yes, it has been worth it. and we will doing it again!
Posted by candy at October 24, 2004 05:14 PM
hello...I normally don't comment on these things but felt that this time it was worth it...my 3 1/2 yr old participates in a couple pageants a year and though we have definately met the types of families that give their little girls fake tans, fake hair, gobs of makeup, etc. we've met even more extraordinary families who spend lots of time together, with kids who do well in school, are interested in performing arts, have great goals in life, are into volunteering and being friendly to every participant...it is these kinds of kids and families that I'm proud to have met in the pageant family. My daughter has a thing for stages...and for performing for people (she also dances). She absolutely loves it. Would never have her do it if she didn't and although she's very darn cute, she's not what you'd call a 'classic beauty' yet she wins quite often because of her adorable, sparkling personality. Educate yourself before you completely slam pageants, they're not all bad.
Posted by jordan'smom at November 6, 2004 09:25 PM
hello im doing a paper on this topic and i would like to hear from someone with good arguements of pageants the pro and the cons please responde to my inquiry by friday nov 20
Posted by dee at November 15, 2004 11:47 AM
hello im doing a paper on this topic and i would like to hear from someone with good arguements of pageants the pro and the cons please responde to my inquiry by friday nov 20 @DHARRIS@kctcs.stu.edu
Posted by dee at November 15, 2004 11:49 AM
Hey, I'm doing a project on the negative effects pagents have on children in today's society and my three main points involve: Parental influences and how it can ruin relationships, How it can be physically exhasting and mentally. If anyone has any information that could assist my project, please email me anything! Ex. Book Titles, Web Sites, Panflets, Videos, Personal Opinions..... Anything! Thanks. Please send info to gremlin_eater_9@hotmail.com
Posted by Natasha at November 15, 2004 05:28 PM
In my opinion, I think pageants are very helpful in becoming a well-rounded young lady. I was in pageants from 18 months until I was about 11 years old. I enjoyed them very much and it was my choice when I decided to stop doing them. I am now 17 years old and it has helped me tremendously in public speaking, poise, manners, confidence, and many other areas of my life. I don't see how pageants are any different than your kid competing in sports and other hobbies such as dance, karate, etc. I learned that winning wasn't everything although it was nice, and I was still treated the same by my family whether I won or lost the competition. Of course there are some bad pagents out there that are unfair but everything in life isn't always fair! My mother wasn't a pushy pageant mom, but don't get me wrong she did encourage me to try my best. ( Practice makes perfect) Just because you put make-up on your child doesn't mean your making them look like a hooker. My mother never caked on my make-up or put in fake hair
extensions or eye lashes. Pageants also helped teach me discipline and how to present myself in a positive way. 
Posted by Britni Smith at November 21, 2004 03:37 PM
I'm just trying to do my friggin composition assignment. Pageants aren't a good idea for these little babies that have to be held. I honestly think there's much better ways to boost a little girl's self esteem than teasing her hair and loading on the mascara. She'll grow up to think she needs it. What business does a 1 year old have dressing up like a grown woman? Anyway. If it's a pageant to showcase some talent or something, that's okay. But not, "Hey, my baby has a bigger bum than your baby! Well, my baby has less cellulite than your baby!" Okay. Back to homework. PS-I'm doing the controversy over child beauty pageants. =D Thanks!
Posted by Cate at November 22, 2004 09:07 AM
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