References

Retrieved August, 25, 2009, from URL http://www.helium.com/items/594988-beauty-contests-are-sexist

Eichenwald, K., The New York Times (2006).
On the Web, nearly nude child porn tests laws- Americas- International Herald Tribune [Electronic version]
Retrieved September 1, 2009 from
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/world/americas/20iht-web.0820porn.2538897.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all

ABC News (2006)
Child Beauty Pageants: Fun or Fiendish? [Electronic version] Retrieved August 25, 2009 from
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2338102

Should child beauty contents be banned??

This was shocking to find out that not only that it is a trigger to the sex predators but also this affects the child's mind if they don't make it. They begin to think that they are good enough than the girls of their own age and this could lead to anorexia. This is real unhealthy for the child's future and also in the end hurts their self-esteem real bad. They start also developing an inferiorty complex amongst good looking and thinner girls than themselves. Being good looking and skinny starts to control their lives and there is nothing else they can think of beyond it. Many of you who have watched Little Miss Sunshine will also know what I'm talking about when she doesn't make it in the end but her parents still encourage her as much as possible to make her feel that she atleast took part in it.

Are these contests really sexist???

That's news to me!! The only reason why men and women can't compete together in the same contests is only because there is nothing to compare. It's like comparing apples to oranges!! The reason why there are no male beauty pageants is only because there is not much demand for it. Its mostly women who want to flaunt their looks or more concerned about them but men hunt for success in other ways. Maybe that's why it is sexist?? Is because people rather watch women than men? For example I'm a chick but I rather watch women as for some reason it is more entertaining seeing a woman do the catwalk but when it comes to men it doesn't look very manly and the stereotype mind instantly tells you if they are male models that have to be homosexual.

One thing that was mentioned by Sarah Williams on Helium was so true that it is on their own risk and wish that women take part in these contents. They are fully aware of what they are getting into it as there is more exposure of it in the media than before.

Do we want to pay for average lookin' people??

I was taken by surprise that most of the people think that beauty pageants are quite superficial, that all they mean is only bare skin in skinny bodies which has nothing to do with eternal beauty. Well I think to an extent it is quite true but then again these are supermodels like Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, etc. that appear on big fashion shows held in Paris, Milan, New York and other big cities. High profile people watch these for the top fashion designers collection and hence it would totally ruin it if they saw average looking people! No one wants to see average looking people unfortunately as no one would pay such a price to watch a size 8 or 10 model walking the ramp who thought "inner" beauty was better than the "outer". I know its quite shallow to think that way but thats fashion industry for you! You've either got what it takes or not and just have to sadly accept the fact! Basically the girls are actually average looking except that they have what it takes to be out there!

Pedophiles.....do you really want to risk it??

Not only there is so much talk about this but there is also lots in the media about child beauty contents which lead to pedophiles. I recently saw this documentary on pedophiles also known as sex offenders on Tyra Banks show which gave me the creeps.I unfortunately cannot find that episode on YouTube at all to show how scary it is for parents who have to be in that fear all the time. This gave me a proper insight on what it was all about. I also remember watching a little on The Butterfly Effect as well but didn't realise it was happening quite a bit.

This is a hard decision for parents to make whether to allow their kids to participate in these beauty/talent contents. You don't want to let your child down but try and encourage them as much as possible. They are parents who find no harm at all in their kids taking part in such activities which they think help to boost their self-confidence. To an extent I agree with this statement because as a child I know how hard it is to have issues of that sort. You feel you are not accepted by your friends and you are subjected to a lot of mockery.

On the other hand I was really surprised that all this could lead to pedophile websites. I was aware of some men who had a keen interest in kids but it never occurred to me that this was also partly due to kids beauty contents. This is surely a great fear for parents who are a victim of this as they are caught up between the safety of their kid and also their child's future.

It's shocking to know how these sex offenders learn what people's weak points are like they always target single mothers who are in need of financial support. They start to get friendly to the parent so they can get easy access to their kids and volunteer to maybe babysit them. What happens behind the scenes is disturbing!!

Interesting reasons that sex offenders give when caught!

BEAUTY PAGEANTS-exploitive or not?

As we all know that there has been lots of controversy on this subject in the media for a while now. What comes in your mind when you think of a beauty pageant? Size 4/6 models? Bathing suits? Girls who have an edge over themselves and stand out than the average looking girl?? Yes that's all that it is made of!! We unfortunately don't think of people with a good soul who think inner beauty is the one that stands out the most. But practically speaking these beauty pageants are really a money making business so quality is required. We don't want to see average people that we can see on the street walk the ramp because no everyone has what it takes to be a supermodel! We watch them so we get inspired and want to start maybe dressing or looking like them as much as we can.