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RSS FeedBeauty contests are sexist
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| Agree | 64% | 301 votes | Total: 474 votes | |
| Disagree | 36% | 173 votes |
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Add to FavoritesHard to believe maybe, but as a red blooded American guy, I can say without a doubt that beauty pageants are sexist. I may be going against my own grain here, but the simple fact that there are no men beautifying Speedos on stages across the country is a pretty good indication that I'm right (bodybuilding events don't count, no one gets the Mr. Congeniality ribbon in those).
I never really thought about the double standard that exists between the sexes till I became a dad to a little girl myself. Marrying a feminist also warrants mentioning too. While on a shopping trip once, the wife brought up the fact that little boys get all the neat toys while girls get stuck with dolls and toy kitchens, thus marking one of the few clarifying Zen moments I've had in my life. While the feminists would assert that true feminism is about choice and that the pageant going gals are exercising that freedom, the right answer is to even the table and bring on the men's pageants. That way, everyone benefits: the girls who participate in pageants for college money still get to play, tradition is left intact, and the men get to endure the catcalls and uncomfortable horny stares from women (and probably other men, too.)
There's no use in really trying to fight the quo, you can't do much to change the institution of pageants. What can be done is for the girls to take initiative and put the sex back into sexism. Fight fire with fire. Do as the Romans do. Get some sponsors, rent the venue, and stage an all male pageant, complete with all the trimmings: talent, swimsuit, Q&A, the works. Not only would a legitimate event like that garner all kinds of free press, but once successful enough would surely spur some competition, and the next thing you know the entire idea of the spectacle of bikini clad girls being classified as "pretty" or "the prettiest" is devalued and no longer considered "sexist". After all, isn't actual sexism about the social scale being tipped to favor one gender over the other?
While there's that whole other can of worms about the children's pageant circuit, the argument here is whether or not beauty pageants (Miss America, Miss Universe, Miss Teen USA, etc.) are sexist, and the truth is yes, whether you're in favor of them or not. Once she's grown to the right age, if my little girl wanted to compete in a pageant, surely I'd support her. It's her choice. God knows if I had the goods and knew I stood a chance of banking some nice coin just for getting dolled up and parading around on stage for a few hours, I'd be in.
The girls the pageants compete voluntarily, no one is twisting any arms. Banning or protesting pageants isn't feasible, some gals depend on them. But swinging the door the other way eliminates the sexist notion and evens the Battle Between the Sexes, even if just a tad bit.
Learn more about this author, Brian Williams.
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Disagree
It seems inherent to the age-old issue of feminism that a woman is either beautiful and stupid, or homely and smart. Beauty does not quantify intelligence. In fact, one has nothing to do with the other. So then, why must the argument of sex and beauty automatically be correlated with intelligence and feminism?
While the feminists and bra-burners of both today and yesteryear are busy beating their chests on the importance of equality, fair treatment in the workplace, and equal opportunity for men and women alike, they have so often forgotten the beauty that is being a woman. They have so often forgotten that while we must secure our place in society as valuable, contributing citizens and capable members of society, we can also do so with poise, class and grace.
Why must there be such conflict between the soft, elegant "nature" of a feminine beauty and the stereotypical hard exterior and anger-ridden brow of the all-important feminist who breaks the glass ceiling? Why can't we, as women, be both?
What must be reconciled is the ability for women to be both beautiful and simultaneously intelligent beings. And while these women do in fact exist, (I'd like to consider myself to be one) they are almost always viewed as two separate groups; one identified by diplomas and the other by handbags.
Beauty contests, by their very nature, are meant to judge beautiful people. For that there is no doubt. However, the women who enter these competitions (or "subject" themselves, for the sake of this particular argument) clearly know what they are getting into. There is no smoke and mirrors show taking place. It is called a "beauty contest" for good reason.
Why then does this debate ensue?
The truth of the matter is there is a severe disconnect between those who understand what a beauty contest is and those who think they understand what a beauty contest means. And in addition to that disconnect, as I've said, lies the societal division between beauty and intelligence.
A beauty contest is a competition based on beauty. Not IQ. For many, it is a sport. It is a boost to self-confidence and a means for validation. It is not right or wrong. It is not degrading to those who choose to compete. It is not harmful in any way to those who choose to watch. It is, for all intents and purposes, a true spectator sport.
What nay-sayers think to be sexist, barbaric and demeaning, can be empowering, encouraging and enjoyable for the contestants. But just as a beauty queen would not strap on her 5 inch heals and ball gown to attend a board meeting, a C.E.O. would not wear her shoulder pads and glasses to receive her crown as Miss USA. There is a time and a place for everyone and everything.
Who says that a woman can not be wife, mother and C.E.O.? Life is about balance. A woman who competes in a beauty contest may be no less intelligent than a woman who runs a Fortune 500 company and when feminists and beauties finally realize that their respective parties often overlap, then and only then will the executives tune in to watch the swimsuit competition and the tiaras come with a complimentary Mensa membership.
Learn more about this author, K. Bella.
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