You Tell Us: Child Beauty Pageants
Friday, January 30th, 2009I personally know a beautiful and talented girl who will be participating in a local beauty pageant next month. Her family and friends are all excited to see her on stage in her glittering gown, performing one of her many talents and sharing some of her vibrant charm with the world.
What makes us all so confident that this is the right choice for her? She’s 20 years old!
TLC’s new show Toddlers & Tiaras paints a different picture of beauty pageant life. I think there’s something disturbing about little girls who dress up and act like grown women, but the mothers of children who participate in pageants argue that it teaches them poise, self-confidence and public speaking skills.
I’m quite certain that someone with two decades of life experience behind her can decide for herself whether or not participating in a pageant sounds like a fun and rewarding experience, but I don’t think a parent can realistically expect their six year old to make that choice.
What do you think? Are child beauty pageants too intense for impressionable young girls, or are they just a fun way for mothers and daughters to spend time together? You tell us!


