In this quote, Semi-sexualized is referring to somewhat of a sexual behavior or way of acting for the kids participating in the pageant. This excerpt also implies that parents and coaches are pressuring their children to act inappropriately so that they can win the competition. From this message of semi-sexualization along with parents and coaches pressuring, children get the impression that physical appearance is of major importance, which could emotionally damage the kids in the future. In addition, this documentation is explaining that the kids (in the pageants) do not fully understand the purpose of what they are doing or why, so they grow up with the idea that this is acceptable and rational conduct. As a result, kids are compelled to grow up to fast, depriving them of their childhood and innocence at too early an age.
Beauty pageants can also lead to low self-confidence in the future. Beauty pageants tend to emphasize on looks whether good or bad: “Research shows that reinforcing an emphasis on looks and attractiveness leads to negative body image, disordered eating, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem”. This quote uses research to prove that beauty …show more content…
Celine C. Cooper, head writer for the Montreal Gazette, claims, “Girls, most of whom are barely out of diapers, (are) being spray-tanned and waxed, painted with lipstick, fitted with hair extensions and false eyelashes, and zipped into revealing costumes” (Cooper). This quote is saying that little girls and boys who have barely turned one are being forced into the world of beauty pageants. It is also showing that to make sure the girls/boys win their parents are tanning, waxing, putting on tons of makeup, and even altering their bodies (with lash and hair extensions). From this, we can conclude that these boys and girls receive the message that their self-worth is based on their appearance, due to the fact that their appearance is one of the only factors in their place among the other competitors. This deprives children of their childhood because they (the children) are thrown into the world of being perfect or being no one, which makes it so that they have to learn adult lessons, which can be very powerful at the young age of 6 or 7. In the same way, Elizabeth D. Day, main writer for the observer, acknowledges, “there are Fake Baked 11-year-olds with heavy false eyelashes and feathers in their hair; there are precocious six-year-olds performing provocative dance routines in tight-fitting, spangly outfits; there are young girls in lip gloss and mascara, their hair pumped up