How are kids affected by participating in beauty pageants?
With the beauty pageant industry growing at a constant rate, more and more children are starting to get involved. In the U.S. over 100,000 children under twelve years of age participate in beauty pageants. The question is, are these beneficial for children, or are they actually hurting them in the long run? A psychology professor, Tovah Klien, says that '"Pageants force children to focus too much on themselves. They're not good for peer relationships, either. They tell little girls that they must not only be beautiful but also be the most beautiful."' Although that's one opinion, there are many more. One mother of a child beauty pageant contestant says, '"My daughter used to be very shy."' Now, since she's participated in many pageants, her daughter has formed '"poise, grace, and self-esteem."' ("Kids on the Catwalk?") Other studies also show that involving children in beauty pageants is actually a form of child abuse. The definition of child abuse is, '"the physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, of a child under circumstances which indicate the child's health or welfare is threatened or harmed."' Beauty pageants can affect children in a positive way, but sometimes the risks are just too great. With children dressing up in crazy costumes and caking on the makeup, there is always the risk of pedophiles. There is also the risk of children's confidence to be shattered if they don't win an award at a pageant. If this is the case, the child can develop eating disorders later in life (Billy Reed). There are many pros and cons on how beauty pageants can affect children, and they should be studied very closely before anyone puts their child in a beauty pageant.