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Daniela Montejano
Sue Briggs
Apr. 28, 2015
Position/Proposal

Beauty,

Is It Worth It?

John Ramsey's six year old daughter Jon Benet, a pageant contestant, was found murdered. John
Ramsey says in an interview with Good Morning America that he was wrong to put Jon Benet on
display. Shows like Toddlers and Tiaras encourage young children to develop problematic levels of
competitiveness, and focus too much on their appearance. Beauty pageants stress looks, glamour and,
often, provocative attire. Children can easily believe after competing in pageants that they should
concentrate on external and superficial aspects of beauty instead of developing internal values of caring
for other and a love of learning.

Putting kids in pageants can have major effects on them as they get older. Some beauty pageants
tend to sexualize them. Physical damage is done to these contestants by wearing makeup, hair
extensions, false teeth to hide baby teeth, revealing outfits and learning provocative poses and moves.
(Lindsey, Claire). This literal judgment can destroy the girls sense of self worth causing long term
damage. Experts agree that participating in beauty pageants or activities that focus on physical

appearance can decrease self esteem, cause negative body image, and lower their self worth.
(Cartwright, Martina). Loss of identity is also a major part of activities focused on physical
appearance. Kids get affected so much that they start struggling with wanting to be perfect and at a
young age they start dieting, worrying about what they eat which leads to eating disorders, and can also
cause depression at a young age which follows them through adulthood. (Cartwright, Martina)

Pageants don't just effect emotionally but can also be a down side financially. Beauty pageants
can be financed in various ways. Some pageants may ask parents to sell sponsor tickets. The tickets
will be anywhere from $1 to $20. On average parents should plan on spending $20 to $750 for the
entree fee alone. Overall, a beauty pageant can cost anywhere from $200 to as much as $4,500 for the
complete setup that includes clothing, registration and travel. (Howmuchisit) Accessories are a big
thing in pageantry. Pageant outfits can cost anywhere from $150 to as much as $5,000 depending on
what is purchased, the final price on clothes will come down to the brand, style, and designer. The
higher the level of competition, the higher the costs of preparation. Some pageant systems can spend up
to $100,000 on one girl to get ready for a pageant. The money goes to wardrobe consultants, speech
coaches, voice coaches, etiquette lessons, salon services, talent coaches, tanning, rehearsal attire,
bathing suits, opening-number outfit, interview suit, talent costume, accessories. (Englishman, Tamara
Alexis)

Even though people disagree on beauty pageants and the negative effects it has on kids there are
others who think it is a great idea for a child. Competing in pageants is an opportunity to showcase
what you have accomplished. Being in a pageant can be a stepping stone into the world of modeling
which can help with their walk, poses and photography. Another factor that would make it a good
experience is the new things they learn. Contestants can learn to be more ladylike, poised, and kind.
Learning how to be a good sport is something every child should be taught. Child beauty pageants

teach children this lesson as not every contestant will go home with a trophy. The good thing is that
young contestants learn that with hard work, determination and dedication they can earn a trophy, and
when they do, the win is that much more valuable to them. (Sharper, Rhonda)

Pageants can help develop self-reliance. Confidence is good for any person of any age. Taking
part in a pageant will surely help to build a person's confidence because the event will be held in front
of an audience of friends and strangers. Even if a contestant does not win, the fact that she participated
is enough to lift her spirits and raise her confidence. (Clark, Andrea). Entering a pageant can improve
public speaking. Pageants have appearances at public events, an introduction, possibly question
segment and interviews; this provides an excellent way to improve public speaking skills. Pageants are
also a great way to meet new people. A young lady or a toddlers parents will get to know the other
contestants, pageant organizers, make-up and hair-stylists. New friendships can be formed and business
linkages can be made through pageants. (Rabat, Dinette)

The fact that people still support beauty pageants does not make it right. Competing in beauty
pageants can bring negativity into a childs life. Wearing revealing clothes can make someone look
older, posing provocatively, and photographing inappropriately can have consequences on kids in the
long run. Beauty pageants can be a bad experience. Kids are taught to be stuck up by thinking they are
better than others, doubtful in what they are doing, and it can lead to bitterness. It is easy to be a sore

loser when participating in any kind of competition. Even though beauty pageants tend to be fun and
friendly losing a pageant can be a big deal. Kids tend to feel disappointed, angry, and tend to give up
easily when things get hard. (Anderson, Susan)

Beauty pageants can cause emotional harm. Participating in a pageant can cause uncertainty at a
young age. Being judged by parents, friends, and strangers can put pressure on a child, leading them to
disappointment and low self worth. Entering a pageant can be very nerve wrecking and could make a
child feel embarrassed and develop low self esteem in the future. Lastly pageants can cause jealousy
between others. Wanting things others have, desiring to look like other contestants and changing
themselves to fit a perfect figure.

Through many controversial arguments its hard to know what is and what is not good for your
child. Beauty pageants can emotionally, physically, and financially affect a contestant or a parent in the
long run. Even though pageants can help a child with self reliance and opportunities children are still
affected by negativity and emotional hard pageants have on them. So, is it really worth it?

Citations

Cartwright, Martina. Child Beauty Pageants: What Are We Teaching Our Girls? Psychology
Today. Np. 12 Apr. 2011. Web. 3 Apr. 2015.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/food-thought/201108/child-beauty-pageants
what-are-we-teaching-our-girls
Clark, Andrea. "Benefits of Child Beauty Pageants." Kids Formal. Np. Web. 3 Apr.
2015. <http://www.kidsformal.com/product-p/benefits%20of%20child%20beauty
%20pagea.htm>.
Englishman, Tamar Alexis. "The Cost of Winning a Beauty Pageant." Bank rate. Np. 8 Aug.
2002. Web. 7 Apr. 2015. <http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/advice/20020808a.asp>.
Howmuchisit. "How Much Do Child Beauty Pageants Cost?" Np. Web. 4
Apr. 2015. <http://www.howmuchisit.org/beauty-pageants-cost/>.
Lindsey, Claire . "The Ugly Truth of Beauty Pageants." Loop. Np. Web. 5 Apr. 2015.
<http://calpoly.uloop.com/news/view.php/75660/the-ugly-truth-to-child-beauty
pageants>.
Rabat, Dinette. "Five Reasons to Enter a Beauty Pageant." Suite. Np. 1 Oct. 2010. Web. 4
Apr. 2015. <https://suite.io/linette-rabsatt/4abr2y8>.
Sharper, Rhonda. "What Are The Benefits Of Beauty Pageants?" Ohio Pageant Coach Rhonda
Sharper Winning Through Pageantry. Np. 2 July 2010. Web. 7 Apr. 2015.
<http://www.winningthroughpageantry.com/2010/07/02/what-are-the-benefits-ofbeauty-pageants/>.