The Stereotypes Of Child Beauty Pageants

During child beauty pageant competitions, child competitors are pressured to look ‘flawless’ by their parents to win. Actions are taken place by the parents in order for their child to win at all costs by pushing their child to imitate unnatural adult-like physical appearances. Parents will also enforce disciplinary actions onto their child for poor performances, lack of enthusiasm or a flawed appearance. Many parents will also deny their child naps or breaks during the pageant schedules in fear that sleeping may alter their child’s appearance. To replace the need for breaks, parents give their child caffeinated beverages and sugared sweets, often referred to as ‘pageant crack,’ in order to keep the energy levels high. One mother declared to the source “We’ve gone through two bags of crack and two cans of energy drink so she can stay up for crowning.”(Psych Central, 2015).
I think that this is unacceptable behaviour of the parent and that they should know better for their child, as children should not be expected to have a flawless appearance. Children also deserve breaks/naps to regain energy and strength and not be deprived of these by caffeine and sugar. This affects my research, as parents may be more competitive than their children. The conclusion the author gives the reader is an insight on what actually happens during child beauty pageant competitions. This information relates to my research as it identifies that parents pressure their children to