Kids in Beauty Pageants: Why Put Kids In Pageants?

Kids in beauty pageants is a topic that has divided everyone as, some are against kids in beauty pageants and others support it. As society becomes more aware of the effect of these pageants on children, people need to take a step back and ask themselves why allow these pageants in the first place? There are many arguments for and against child beauty pageants but, one thing is certain- the pageants are more about parents than they are about the children.

Parents invest lots of time and money into their children’s participation in child beauty pageants which can be seen as neglecting their actual parenting responsibility. This is because the pressure to succeed in these competitions comes from outside sources such as friends and family members who insist that child beauty pageant participation will make their daughters “more marketable” as adults, as well as parents themselves who fear that not participating may marginalize their children socially.

Children also want to enter these competitions. They are often motivated by an urge to win or because they are looking for attention from their parents. The competitions are often very expensive, so they usually have a high financial cost for parents too. Parents who can’t afford it might put their children in the competitions so that the kids can win the prize money.

Some parents might be under pressure from other people like family members or friends to enter their children into these pageants as well – especially, if it’s an expected part of the culture or community where they live.

Performing in beauty pageants requires that children are dressed in outlandish outfits, wear heavy makeup, and pose in indecent ways. And this may appear to many as a disturbing experience for an innocent child. However, for some parents it’s the only way to gain the fame and fortune they desire. There are many reasons why parents put their children in beauty pageants but, the main reasons are parents want their kids to be famous, parents want to make money off their kids (pageant fees) and parents want to improve their own self-esteem by seeing their kids succeed

Child beauty pageants are more about parents than the children participating in them. These pageants are not really about the children – their main objective is to make the parents happy. The parents need to be involved, invested, and enthusiastic in order to make their child do well in these pageants. Child beauty pageants are sometimes seen as an opportunity for needy parents to get extra attention, feel good about themselves and be part of a community.