Beauty Pageant Talk

I thought I would start this entry off with a parody of Toddlers and Tiaras, just because I find it to be one of the funniest things I have ever seen in my entire life. If you do not know who Makenzie is, here's a link to check out her segment.

I have been hearing a lot lately about the recent ban on beauty pageants for children under the age of 16 in France, and it has many people asking if the same should be done here in the U.S.

Since I am a fairly opinionated person, I thought I would weigh in on the topic.

The awareness of this young beauty pageant world came into light for the first time (that I can remember) due to the mysterious death of JonBenet Ramsey. Of course, the pageant was not at the forefront of this awful event, but I remember the reporters mentioning that she was a pageant girl.

But we all know where the recent debates over the harm-versus-good of children's beauty pageants came from. The TLC show, Toddlers and Tiaras.

I have to be honest, I actually enjoy watching this show. Sometimes I watch it for the amazing fact that these mamas will do just about anything to have their child win, and how they have raised some spoiled children. But I also watch it to see these little girls perform and absolutely love what they do.

I am not a huge fan of all of the glitz and spray tans and heavy makeup, but I have to ask myself, what's the difference between doing this for a pageant and doing it for a dance competition?

Now, at our studio, we definitely do not require spray tans and false teeth, but our seven and eight year olds do not completely look like seven and eight year olds on the stage. They have the heavy makeup, the flashy costumes and the false eyelashes. They have the big jewelry, the 'facials' and the strutting across the stage. They perform a lot like these pageant girls do.

I don't think the main problem is the actual pageant. I think it is what we are teaching these girls participating.

I make a huge effort for my girls to know and understand that each competition score is based on three judges opinions, and that is it. I am not fully concerned with what the judges think (although I always want them to score high!), but if they have fun and did their absolute best instead. I never want a student of mine to think their approval comes from a win. It comes from them leaving everything they have on that stage and they entertain the audience with their God-given talent of dance. Disappointment from not placing high is okay! In fact, that's good. But a rotten, spoiled-brat attitude is not allowed in my books. And our parents agree, which goes such a long way as a teacher. Knowing that my parents are giving them constructive criticism and also encouraging words instead of either belittling them or telling them the judges just don't know what they're talking about, makes my job a little easier.

That's what has left such an awful taste in our mouths about this pageant world. Not the ridiculous makeup and the huge dresses (even though I do think it has played a factor), but the attitude these moms and girls have.

You have the moms who scream and yell at their child and place so much pressure on them to win Ultimate Grand Supreme, so if they fail, their precious little girl feels like they are ugly and a failure. Then, on the opposite end, you have the moms who let their child run all over them and call the shots. The daughter is the one screaming and yelling, acting like a spoiled rotten child. And when they don't win, they have an attitude that they deserve better, which then causes them to be very rude to other contestants. Neither one of these scenarios are healthy, and it ruins what was once a more innocent hobby these girls have. Instead of these girls being celebrated for their beauty that The Lord gives each and every little girl, they walk away either crushed and feeling unattractive, or feeling they are entitled with a better-than-all attitude.

So should this be banned here in the U.S.?

Absolutely not.

This is not a government issue. This is a parenting issue. Period.

Parents are given the responsibility to teach their children the difference between right and wrong. This includes the right, gracious attitude to have and the wrong, destructive attitude to avoid in every single situation we face in life.

Including pageants and dance competitions.

So, wrapping this little rant up, I am against banning these beauty pageants here. It doesn't solve the parenting issue America faces.

I am actually hoping my husband and I have a little girl so I can enter her in some pageants. I'm thinking we will go down the 'natural pageant' route though, especially since Chris said he will not go to watch our daughter all made up like the girls on television.

I imagine if we have a little girl, though, Chris will do absolutely anything she wants. At least I'm hoping so :)