What is Helium

Should preschool children be in talent contests and beauty pageants?

Results so far:

Yes		30%	89 votes	Total: 296 votes
No		70%	207 votes	Total: 296 votes

Yes

1 of 3

It is unfortunate that so many people do not see the changes that the pageant and talent industries have made in the last several years. Since the murder of pageant queen JonBenet Ramsey, many believe that pageants and talent competitions foster ill behavior and sadly that is not the case.

More and more pageants and talent competitions have taken a "natural" approach. Natural pageants do not allow make-up or pro-am style outfits and/or dance, no matter the age of the contestant. Contestants are encouraged to come in their "Sunday Best" and present themselves as naturally as possible. The practice of showcasing natural beauty without the glitz and glam fosters self-confidence in young children and allows them to see past the overly acknowledged world of glamorizing today's youth.

Preschoolers are finding their independence without straying too far from their parents. Encouraging a preschooler to participate in a beauty pageant or a song and dance talent competition nurtures their curiosity and allows them to be themselves by showing they are independent on that stage. The independence a preschooler has on stage teaches him or her that they are able to do things on their own that they won't always need someone else do things for them, but doesn't shove them so far away that they don't know the parent waiting at the end of the stage will be there if they fall.

My oldest daughter, now nearly 4, participated in a natural beauty pageant at the age of 12 months. It was a rare occasion that we were in a location where pageants frequently occur and had the opportunity to participate. She wore a subdued pageant gown about knee length with a infant/toddler headband that matched. She had no make-up, no hairspray, no false eyelashes or teeth, just a one year old showing her personality in a pretty dress with frilly socks and dress shoes. The other girls in the pageant, ages ranging from two to twelve, were all dressed similarly. The older girls took part in the casual wear competition, wearing summer shorts and a t-shirt with flip flops or jeans and a tank, no fancy western wear or swimsuit competition. When I look back at my daughter and her participation in that pageant, I see how important it was for me to let her be on the stage toddling around being allowed to express herself freely without the pressure of being "doll-like".

The pageant and talent world has grown and will continue to grow and change. If more people push towards naturalizing these industries, then they truly offer preschoolers more good than bad. How can a preschooler exhibiting personality and confidence be a bad thing?

Learn more about this author, Francesca Pawlak.
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No

1 of 14

by Elizabeth M. Young

I'm taking a fatalistic approach and emphasizing the word "should", because there is no stopping mothers who want to put their children through the pageant and talent show system. Whether it is about vicarious accomplishment, obsession, or just a desire to compete in an activity that makes money and overwhelms life, there will be children and parents involved in this part of American life.

But the pageant material has gone too far in an age where children are increasingly at risk for sexual exploitation. I watched a clip last night, where a small girl was sporting a midriff baring outfit, freakishly huge hair that was more appropriate for a thirty year old stripper, and full makeup. The child was performing a suggestive dance as if she was a miniature adult. Afterward the child was extremely hopped up and sure that she had wowed the crowd.

It made me sick when, later, one of the pageant officials blithely stated that "thongs" were not allowed in the swimsuit competition for those little ones! Swimsuits! The official couldn't have cared less about the inappropriateness of young children suggestively cavorting on stage wearing "thong" swimsuits. Instead, she blabbed on about the problems with thongs from a logistical perspective.

That kind of excess needs to stop. Those children are being encouraged to perform for crowds with an increasing amount of overt sexuality that is nothing but child molestation and endangerment. There are no more innocent little children, displaying their skills at dance, fashion, theatricality, and poise. These are the youngest denizens of a world that is demanding more and more gross sexuality in public performances.

As an example, Miley Cyrus did an overtly nasty performance, complete with pole dance. That has already caused enormous outrage. But the last straw for me was watching her parents, jumping up out of their seats and proudly applauding that their 16 year old daughter just gave a performance that was more appropriate for a sleazy adult strip club where Miley can't even get in the door.

The main issue is whether these juvenile displays of gross and overt sexuality are placing the children at risk. I say yes. I say that the pageant system needs to take a step back and call for performances and dress that are age appropriate before some child protective services agency steps in and forces them to restructure.

Chelsea Handler Does Not Hold It Back

This Makes My Case, I hope.

Learn more about this author, Elizabeth M. Young.
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