Beauty Pageants Essay Example

Make-up, hair extensions, teased hairstyles, clouds of hairspray, sophisticated costumes, tiaras, trophies, money, and more. Is this the type of environment or lifestyle you would want your child to be raised in? Unfortunately for some children this is a reality. For almost fifty years now children have been forced to behave as young adults rather than the five year olds they actually are. In my opinion beauty pageants are harmful to children. Beauty pageants create a negative environment for children putting them under pressure and negative self evaluation. Pageants judge only the external aspects of a child rather than their inner beauty and beauty pageants are very time consuming (getting the perfect costume, practicing all day long, and having the child’s hair done.) The atmosphere of a beauty pageant can be considered negative. The contestant is always judging them self to see if they are the most attractive one there. The judgment they make of their appearance is negative. These judgments can lead to emotional and physical disorders. According to an article Nicole Hunter Wrote “The Effects of Beauty Pageants”, she was four when she competed in her first pageant. When she did not win she would compare herself to the girl who did win, which lead to poor self- image and low self esteem. When contestants make poor judgments of themselves it can lead to poor self- esteem like Nicole and to eating disorders. When contestants think they are not thin enough they will force themselves to lose that weight just to win the tiara and money. In a study done by Anna Wonderlich it was discovered that there was an association between childhood beauty participation and increased body dissatisfaction. Also contestants who are now adults still strived to achieve and maintain their thin body figure as a contestant. This can potentially lead to them always worrying and being fixated on their external features.
The unnatural world of beauty pageants has affected the natural