Just about two years ago my niece came to me with the news that she was going to be in a beauty pageant. She was twelve years old. She had gone to the mall, and seen a poster that they were going to pick "semi finalists" for the beauty contest. It was to be held in St. Louis. She needed to send a photo in, and they would pick the winners. She was very happy when she received the news that she could enter.

What she didn't know was that every girl that submitted a picture was chosen. It was an obvious ploy to get as many little girls as they could for the contest. The reason for this being, the entry fee was three hundred and fifty dollars. So basically my niece had won the chance to give the beauty pageant money.

My sister in law told my niece that she could participate in the contest if she wanted to. However she would have to make the money for her dress, and any other things she needed. So for the three months prior to the contest she did babysitting. She sold magazines, and candles. She washed neighborhood cars. She managed to gather around three thousand dollars, and spent every cent on the contest.

So off she and her family went to the beauty contest. It took place for two days. The first day was the girls in their gowns. The second day was the talent show. My niece quickly realized that she could not compete with some of the other girls there.

My niece is a beautiful girl, but she did not have the money to get her hair professionally done, or other things similar to that. She didn't have a chance. Some of these little girls not only get their hair done, but colored as well. The parent's spend thousands on the girls dresses alone. Some even going as far as getting fake teeth, for the girls with new teeth coming in. A lot of the winners of these contests are well know in the beauty contest circuit, and usually win all the time.

To make a long story short, my niece ended up being "rated" as a hundred fifty out of three hundred girls. All she had gotten from this experience was a key chain, and a very hurt ego. I almost knew this would happen. I also knew that telling her about it before hand wouldn't have helped matters. She would have done it anyway.

When I talked to her after the contest I assured her she was beautiful, and that it didn't mean anything. I also told her if she wanted to model, I would help her take photos, and send them to legitimate modeling agencies. At least she would not have to pay so much for a chance at fame.

Now she no longer wants anything to do with beauty contests or modeling. She also realizes what she could have done with the three thousand dollars she worked so hard for. I am sad that she had to go through this, but I am glad she learned a lesson from it.

Learn more about this author, patty smithe.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Debate around children beauty pageants?
We want to hear your view. Write now!