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OH, This is Just WRONG!
- Aug 26, 2009 at 10:11 PM
- By
- Comments (20) Total Views (480) Everyone can see this journal post.
Before I begin, I want to emphasize that this is strictly my personal opinion. Please do not mistake my concern, for judgement or criticism. That's not what this is about. My heart is breaking. Whether you agree or not - to me, it's wrong.
If this is your thing, please understand, I am NOT judging you. Just sharing my perspective.
Just speaking out on behalf of the innocent victims.
After seeing this on TV, my mind just can't seem to let go of this. My therapy is to write, so here goes.
I'm aware there are beauty pageants for children. I used to think that was a "little" bit much, but, IF it's what the parents AND the child wanted, then who am I to say anything. It seemed like just a little harmless fun (until now).
Please keep reading, and maybe you'll understand why this is bothering me (or not).
"Little Beauties" showed me a different view - even though it probably wasn't meant to do so.
The contestants were (on average) six year old little girls - adorable little girls - who would be adorable regardless. Children are naturally cute.
It's sad enough that society continues to poison the minds of adults - and teenagers - BUT LITTLE GIRLS???? C'mon .....
(Or, is it that society is poisoning the minds of the parents, who, in turn, are transmitting this misconception to their children?)
Although manipulated by advertising and false ideas about the need to be "perfect", adults do this to themselves by choice. (Even that is sad, to me.) However, these precious little girls do not seem to be willing participants in their mother's fantasies. Their often unattractive, frumpy mothers are attempting to live vicariously through their daughters.
My eyes are welling up with tears, just thinking about it.
I used to believe that these children really wanted to do this, but I no longer believe it's their decision. They are being brainwashed - and in many cases they admit they don't like it. A six year old (or any age child) is just doing what they believe will make their parents happy. (the need to belong - the need to please - the need to feel loved ----- at any cost)
It just breaks my heart to see what these children are doing for their moms, at the expense of their own childhood happiness.
They're being manipulated and exploited - not only by their mothers, but by the wishy washy dad's who just go along with it (begrudgingly), but nevertheless, they permit it.
The primping with the hair and the caked-on make up is bad enough.
BUT................... let's be real here - okay -
THIS IS A LOT MORE THAN JUST SIMPLE 'PRIMPING'!!!
There are just some things these very young girls are being exposed to unnecessarily. These just cannot be healthy for them!
** gluing their bathing suits to their skin, so the suit doesn't move, while prancing around the stage like a mini stripper (Isn't this borderline child porn?)
** spray tanning a child's body (I had no idea!) (This can't be healthy)
** forcing them to wear a "flipper" (sort of a denture - retainer, fitting over their own teeth), to make their teeth appear perfect
** false eyelashes (And how are the lashes afixed t the eyes? With glue, of course!!!)
** tons of hair curlers, backcombing, bobbie pins, hairspray, etc (who knows - probably color too) (think of the damage to their hair!)
** OH, and then there's (are you ready for this?)
the .....................
CANDY CART!!!!! They actually have a huge display of candy at the show - to give the contestants a sugar high! (seriously!) (Maybe a little bribe, too)
Hours upon hours of grooming, days upon days of coaching, and countless moments of stress - simply to rob them of their childhood!
What message is being sent to these kids???? That it's important to be "perfect"????? (One Mom freaked out and yelled at her daughter simply because one hair was out of place!!!)
Why aren't they being taught that perfection does NOT exist - that it's okay to NOT be perfect?
Why aren't they being loved and supported for exactly who they are - without being influenced into believing they must be flawless?
These innocent little girls are being manipulated into smiling and strutting and being molded into a mini adult (most likely, who their moms wish they themselves were).
Oh, they look adorable - they really do - BUT, at the same time, they do NOT look like children. Eerily they almost look plastic.
Then there are the judges - some of whom are men. Nothing wrong with men - I love men ............... but these are men who are gawking at these little girls. (scary, if you ask me)
Here's a quote from one of the judges, from the show I watched:
"In society today you are judged by your appearance, and to tell someone they're not, could be like telling somebody they could wear cut-off shorts into a boardroom." Ray Smith, Pageant Judge
Hmmmm - the stupidity in his statement is why we have adults, young women (and now little girls), who never feel good enough or pretty enough. It's people like this money-hungry judge, who contribute to people's insecurities and help in creating eating disorders and drug addictions.
Wonder why this guy sits there judging these little beauties? Hmmmmm - let me guess ------------------ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ (mostly - probably)
Greed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - at the expense of our innocent children.
(God forbid it be for any other reason, but you never know.... This world is filled with sick-o's)
The people who promote these pageants are greedy, selfish individuals, who found a way to make money from parents who want to make stars out of their precious children.
The more I think about it - I don't really blame the parents, except for their ignorance. It's natural for a parent to want to brag about their offspring, being an extension of the parent. My guess is that most parents are satisfied enough to flaunt the natural beauty and talents of their children, without the need to falsify the child's natural beauty and talents.
Why can't they just allow their children TO BE chidren! They will grow up way too fast anyway. But, allow it to happen in their own time-frame.
The people who promote these pageants manipulate the parents into believing that this is in their children's best interest!
BS - I say
Instead of spending $70,000 a year for wardrobe (one dress can be $2,000), make-up, coaching, tanning, hair, travel, teeth (flippers cost $250), etc - just for pageants --------- (this is BIG business)
---------- here's a thought......................
Why not put that into a college fund for the child?????
Hmmmmmmmmmm - what a concept, huh????
Oh, and if you really believe these little girls actually enjoy this, here's a quote from just one of the many..........................
Contestant - Jordan (6 yrs old) was quoted as saying:
"When they put bobbie pins in your head it really hurts
And I don't like getting spray painted because it's too cold"
And, when it comes to wearing the "flippers" (fake teeth), she refuses, saying "No, no way - I think it's better au natural".
(obviously, Jordan is much more intelligent than the adults)
Comments:
Its ok for you to vent but there is one thing you said that just didn't quite set with me. You said that "Children are naturally cute." Well I am here to tell you that is a Lie. YOu know you have see some ugly children in your life time. Like I said it is ok for you to vent but keep in mind and keep it real, there are some ugly little kids running around.
I agree. Its stupid that things they do. Like that toddler & tiara show. it makes me SICK.
& i've yet to see an UGLY kid. *rolls eyes*
OP, I agree 100%. If these LITTLE girls wish to want to do this type of thing LATER on in life, then it should be THEIR choice to do so. Why rob them of their childhood?
As for comment #2, on here, ignore it...And her. She loves to be negative, no matter how positive the post is.
Thanks OP for saying in a eloquent way what many of us moms think about this.
I give this an eye roll. You watched a "TV show" to form this opinion. TV shows are always going to try and sensationalize everything to make a buck. If you want an idea of what pageants REALLY are like to a kid being in them, check out my journal, From inside the pageant.
Agreed when talking about young children and children who do NOT want to participate.
I tend to agree with your opinion in this Ginny! While I think the original idea behind pageants may have been to help little girls with confidence and etiquette, it seems to have become something much more superficial than that now. Why not just let them put on a pretty dress and curl their hair? IMO, they would be more "beautiful" like that than they are with all the make up, flippers, sprayed on tans, and bathing suits! I mean honestly, a Bathing suit competition is for Sports Illustrated Models or College girls, not something for little 6 year olds! Let them keep their innocence and just be KIDS, and teach them that EVERYONE is beautiful, and that "perfection" is not important!
I agree that small children should not be FORCED into doing ANYTHING that is taking from their childhood......
However.....If the child ( such as mine ) who at the age of 13 decided that she wanted to become a model , I allowed her because ,Ginny she was done with school ( graduated early ) and loved being in the spotlight and still does today....
I in NO way asked her EVER to do any type of modeling, actually I tried my bestto talk her out of it due to the fact that the agencies had such HORRIBLE rules that she had to follow , like no eating , no weight gain of even 1/2lb , loss of sleep , degrading her if she didn't move just the correct way for them...Fortunately my DD did not need the flippers , ( I doubt she would or ever will use them...)
It truly was a nightmare...AND just as you have said these children you speak of are missing out on being little kids just playing like an average child should....
I am WITH you 100% that the parents need to back away and leave their child do as they want NOT as the parent wants..
Great Post AND Great Points !!!!!!!!!!
LOVE YOU GINNY X♥X
There's a show on, I believe TLC, called "Toddlers and Tiaras". I watched a few minutes of it and was so outraged that I changed the channel. I do not care what anyone says, that is child abuse and borderline on child porn. And the parents that do this, do not kid yourselves; you are NOT doing it for the child, you are on a major ego trip and these poor kids go along and get abused , yes, abused by you just for your enjoyment. It's disgusting!!
When my granddaughter Ashley was about 6yrs old she was in her one & only pageant. She wore a pretty "Easter" type dress, her hair was washed & brushed with a pretty bow in it, she had on a little bit of blush, some lip gloss & that was it. She competed with girls who had all the caked on make up, fake eye lashes & hair pieces.......guess what............she came in 4th place out of about 35 girls! We were very proud of her, she was a sweet, beautiful little girl that acted like one! I'm all for the pageants, my niece was 3 months old in her first one & 10 years old in her last. Brittney placed in the top 4 or won 1st place in them all. Her mom & dad enjoyed them, she never wore a bunch of make up & she always acted her age. She hasn't been in one since simply because she chose not to be. There are parents like my brother & Brittney's mom that let the child be their age & quit when they want to....that is fine & fun in my book. I have seen the ones like on tv, the moms & dads........and the unhappy children............those are not alright with me.
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I totally agree with you.
- Mama0f3grlz
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