The Negative Effects Of Beauty Pageants And Its Effects On Children

Beauty pageants have been a part of history. They are events in which the participants, usually females, of all ages are being judged based on their talent, physical beauty, and an interview portion. In which the contestants all dolled up in outfits, makeup, and excessive amounts of hair products. Some people regard beauty competitions as eye catching, harmless entertainment, but often the rigors of this pageantry inhibit the normal development of children, socially, and psychologically. Beauty pageants have their audience appeal by their rewards for those who receive academic scholarships or grants. These pageants were designed to assist those who are suffering through a financial crisis, which is common to many young women. A former beauty pageant contestant said she "Began entering pageant in my teens, I was trying to showcase my talents and earn money for college"(Trujillo). This experience benefits the contestant through financial assistance. The reward decreases the family 's cost for the children 's learning. Although the money spent on the pageantry will almost be the same or …show more content…
An expert has said "In my experience as a dietitian for high powered entertainment groups, I found that many of the young women with eating disorders were trained at an early age to have physical perfection, thinness, athletic prowess and attractiveness"(Cartwright). This effect can come with the reality of failure when the child does not win. Children give it their best effort, but once they fail, they begin questioning their self worth. This will initiate them to believe that they will not be able to win unless they have a certain body image. Physically, they are striving for perfection resulting in their gaining eating disorders, extreme dieting, and lack of self esteem. Beauty pageants can harm participants ' growth as they comprehend that their physical appearance plays a major factor in