I saw a report on GMA this morning featuring young children competing in pageants. Within 2 minutes, I saw enough to make my skin crawl. Here were girls, barely out of diapers, parading around in costumes and makeup that was absurd. This has been a controversial issue for years, and yet it continues to grow in popularity. TLC highlights it in a show titled “Toddlers and Tiaras”. That alone doesn’t sound right. It isn’t the pageants itself that bothers me. It’s the extent to which they will dress up, make-up, and drill these young girls to prance, dance, and sing in a manner that is inappropriate and potentially harmful to their well-being.
The first thing most of the mothers of these girls say, is that the child enjoys doing the pageants. That if they didn’t like it, they would quit. I would like to know what kid likes sitting still for hours while having make-up applied. How many love to have their hair teased up, pulled, rolled, and sprayed. Then have to wait and not move so as to not messed up the whole ensemble. They wear more than one outfit in these shows, so the whole procedure gets repeated.
The mothers at these shows are delusional. For some reason they want to believe that pageants will benefit their daughters. The qualities of poise, speaking, and having a talent can all be experienced outside of this money generating world. Did they ever notice that the only people attending the event are parents and relatives of the contestants? There are no talent scouts looking for the next great child star in attendance. There are no college admission reps searching for a future scholarship winner. Most of these mothers want their child to become famous and will do so at any cost.
Tanning applications are being applied to delicate skin. Hairpieces are being attached to create a look eerily similar to Marie Antoinette. Fake teeth are inserted and costumes evoking a sexual image are being worn. Are they really showcasing little girls? It promotes a message that only a certain look will get you ahead in this world.
About 5 years ago, I was walking through the mall with my then 2- year- old. A few very attractive young women were by a booth, and handing out cards for a “talent” agency. They walked up to me, told me how adorable my child was, and asked if I would be interested in filling out a form. Not being born yesterday I said no. This is a scam to have pictures taken, which you pay for, with the promise that they will try to get your child a modeling or acting job. A short time later, one stopped me coming out of a store, stated she knew I said no but……… I told her I didn’t want my child to do it. Her response was, “Don’t you want her to be on T.V.?” I said, “No, I don’t”. Had I thought quicker I would have said I wanted her to become an engineer.
The excitement of fame and fortune is the carrot on the stick for so many. Why parents set this as a goal is puzzling. If it is meant to be, it will come later in life after much hard work, practice, and education. Let these little girls play and enjoy their childhood. Let them make their own choices and become their own person. You only get one chance to experience that.
http://news.yahoo.com/toddlers-tiaras-competitor-isabella-barrett-5-criticizes-rival-131808955–abc-news.html
