by Dorothy Marie Kucera

Created on: November 12, 2009

No, Miss America is not a body image role model because the public does not see her as often as models and celebrities who appear in the fashion magazines and media coverage. The evening of her coronation, it might appear that she would be the ultimate image during a two hour program but you have to factor in what today's young women are seeing around them each day on billboards, in magazines, in movies and videos, on product labels, on television advertisements and programs. That daily influence upon their subconscious minds is the real source of comparison. As they study their own image versus that of other women who are featured more often by the media and paid highly for it, they naturally assume that those women are to be emulated.

I do not think that young women relate to Miss America as much as to these other images of women. In addition to perfect body measurements and elegant clothing, the national winner has done all the right things throughout life to win the crown. She is quite accomplished in academic success, appearances before crowds, cosmetics, grooming, manners, poise, speech, talent, travel, volunteer work, wardrobe and world goals. Her family or large support group is with her at the pageant. By comparison, the majority of young women who are watching her may have achieved one or more of those disciplines and opportunities but not all of them. Also, how many of today's young ladies have unified, supportive families with parents who would have financially invested in several years of competitions so their daughters could reach the Miss America platform? Few families hold that privilege. Instead, our younger generations are still in progress and tend to gravitate towards women who represent what they are currently focusing on for their own personal development.

When you consider the lifetime achievements of the women seen in magazines, movies or on television, do any of them go on to become Miss America or did they start their career that way? Not usually or if they did, it is not publicized widely. The young women of today see a disconnect between those two worlds which is why I think they focus more on what is seen on a daily basis around them as opposed to what they see on television one evening per year. I'm sure they wish they had the achievements, beauty, grace, prize money and gifts that Miss America receives and they may dream about the honor and accolades but in their minds, she is out of range for them, so they turn to other role models who seem closer to their own daily lifestyles, especially those women who have struggled up through the ranks to find success.

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