Children in Beauty Pageants
In 2009, the hit TLC TV show “Toddlers & Tiaras” premiered and aired 7 seasons. The show had up to 2 million viewers per episode- many of whom watched it as a source of entertainment that left them with feelings of guilt and disgust. The show primarily tended to focus upon ‘glitz’ pageants, where it was expected for the young contestants to participate with full faces of makeup, spray tans and fake nails.
Shows like these generally present various mother-daughter duos in which the children aim to fulfill their parents’ expectations of them, which often include them having to receive the grandest titles. In order to achieve these ‘aims’, the young girls typically receive training in things such as the nature of the way they walk. They are additionally taught how to ‘seduce’ the panel of judges they are ‘performing’ in front of, as well as being encouraged to believe that the competitions are ‘everything’. This ultimately results in the girls becoming superficial and severely spoiled.
Moreover, the contests conclude in tears. Children (and parents) can even end up crying in the case that they don’t place as high as they had hoped to. The effects that this can have on a child’s mental health, along with their views on life are drastic. The toddlers are taught at a young (impressionable) age that adoration and fake beauty are equivalent to succeeding. They are led to believe (by their mothers mostly) that veneers, extensions, dyed hair, acrylic nails, inappropriate costumes etc. are a necessity to being perceived as ‘beautiful’.
Glitz pageants convey the message that the thousands of dollars spent on each child to compete, is what defines their worth. Experts have concluded that young, easily influenced girls are likely prone to developing body image issues as they become older— as well as potentially struggling with what is known as "The Princess Syndrome”. This mindset of having fairytale-like expectations of themselves can lead to tremendous insecurities and the girls will constantly be finding themselves trying to reach an unrealistic goal. Some of these contestants could even find themselves facing eating disorders as a result of the severity of their self-esteem problems and could end up striving for physical flawlessness.
By watching shows that include the ‘behind the scenes’ of these competitions, the 5 billion dollar industry only becomes wealthier. Furthermore, people that are amused by what is displayed on their screens are inadvertently supporting the emotional distress the children are experiencing. Glitz pageants can be considered a platform upon which hosts, judges and parents critique multiple young girls that are being forced to fit the supposed ‘status quo’ and embody what is viewed as ‘perfection’. The expectations of seeing children duplicate an unobtainable appearance (that is required of women to constantly portray) is arguably a harmful means of sexualising children which is also promoting the intoxicating stereotyping of genders.
