So the WA pageant has come and gone, but not without a trail of debris left in its wake.  I was greatly alarmed at the news that this pageant also included a swimwear category. Not because I am averse to children wearing swimmers, but because I am completely opposed to children being judged on their worth via the shape of their bodies.

 

Yet hosts of this event attempt to convey to parents, that beauty pageants are ‘confidence building’. As someone who works with little children, I am appalled that this comment could even be considered as valid.

 

All that beauty pageants ‘build’, is the view by little girls that their value comes from their physical appearance alone. This hyper focus on appearance creates an early morbid level of self-objectification, which communicates physical attractiveness as a method of self-improvement, social success or social popularity.

 

This inaccurate mindset can affect the way children approach certain situations for the rest of their lives. Children who think poorly of themselves begin to believe that they will not succeed in other areas of their lives, if they cannot even control their outer appearances.

 

In a study done by Anna Wonderlich, it was discovered that there was, “A significant association between childhood beauty pageant participation and increased body dissatisfaction, difficulty trusting interpersonal relationships, and greater impulsive behaviors, which indicate a trend toward increased feelings of ineffectiveness.”

 

On our own soil, there are well-documented concerns by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and myriad child development experts, regarding disruptions to healthy child development due to the practice of child beauty pageants.

 

Despite all the evidence, we still get a barrage of well-rehearsed arguments about the so-called benefits that these pageants hold for children, by pageant parents.

 

Argument 1: Pageants Increase self-confidence:

 

There is much evidence that rather than build self-confidence, these activities have damaging effects on girls as they grow up. The risks to self-confidence far out- weigh any potential gains.

 

A study has shown that, ‘(Although) many pageant parents attributed their daughters’ higher self-esteem to pageantry, the high self-esteem was mostly true for girls who won the pageants. Girls who lost more than they won had lower levels of self-esteem.’

 

There are far kinder options for girls to develop confidence and public speaking skills. Pageant participation communicates to little girls that it is how they look when they speak publicly as a woman that matters, rather than what they have to offer in terms of content or skill.

 

Argument 2: Pageants are just like any other sport.

 

It’s rather telling how we think about gender, that we construct beauty as a sport.

 

On finding that they are not proficient in a sport or activity, girls can acquire a tutor, work hard at fine tuning their skill or try out a new activity altogether. Beauty Pageants are concerned with outward appearance – something that cannot be changed or improved through more practice.

 

Beauty pageants do not encourage girls to value intrinsic competencies or skills; they teach that happiness is dependent upon judgment of the ‘skin they are in’.

 

Argument 3: But little girls love to dress up

 

Pageant dressing up is not at all equal to the regular childhood role-play games. Pageants are concerned with comparison to others outfits, hair, nails and make-up.

 

Pageants push children into an adult world far too early. Girls learn that value lies not in the qualities of a character they may play, but in how that character looks.

 

Argument 4: But we still teach our daughter that inner beauty is most important

 

What a paradox life must become for these pageant children, when the underlying message mismatches the overt message.

 

I fear that even though pageant children may be told that true beauty comes from within, they are being given confusing messages when entered into pageants where only outward beauty is judged and rewarded.

 

Children rely on their parents to assist them as they develop self-awareness and self-concept. The way we talk to our children about their bodies and appearances will affect what they absorb about their value in life.

 

Indeed, despite the Darebin City Council in Victoria (where a 2011 pageant was held) responding to community opinion, by taking a stand and refusing to host further events which focus on a person’s outer appearance, we need to continue to put pressure on venues and councils that continue to host these events.

 

We need to talk openly about the damage that pageants do to the current and future development of girls. Those girls who enter the pageants as well as their peers at school, who are subjected to the discussion, comparison and belief about self-worth that comes with this cruel activity.

 

Collett Smart

Family Smart

Blog – www.thefamilyfactor.com

Twitter – Family_Smart