Beauty pageants. Yes, we have all seen them, heard of them, or read of them at some point or another. Hundreds of females—and even some males—of all ages compete in them every year. But what are these contests doing to help their contestants?
Before I begin, let me state that I have participated in a couple of school pageants in the past, and quite enjoyed getting all “dolled up” to do so. I have many friends that have done and still take part in pageants all over the state and they do quite well in them. Many do not have to pay for their college education because of the numerous scholarships they have won throughout the years. These girls worked hard at succeeding, just like most students do when applying for a scholarship. The pageants these friends of mine partake in require “beauty,” but more importantly, they are heavily judged on charisma, talent, strong leadership ability, and a charitable platform. These girls not only represent their platform on pageant night, but throughout the year, raising awareness and doing various fundraisers for their particular charity. Several girls I know that are involved in pageants are pursuing degrees in nursing or business, or going on to pursue a Ph.D. in their field. What I am saying is most pageant girls are not the stereotypical Barbie-Doll-pageant-girl. They have brains and, for many of them, pageants give them confidence to use their brains, plus a chance to win a crown in the process.
Now, the beauty “pageants” I described above do not pose as big of a threat to women around the world as the beauty “contests”. These “contests” present a harmful image to impressionable young girls. Instead of requiring a particular talent or platform from their participants, and in some cases, money and/or a modeling contract, based solely off of how they look in a swimsuit and evening gown. Take Miss America versus Miss USA, for example. Miss America is a pageant that encourages the continuing education of its contestants. Miss America’s website reads, “Developed by the Miss America Organization, the Miss America program exists to provide personal and professional opportunities for young women to promote their voices in culture, politics and the community… The Miss America Organization is the leading provider of scholarships for young women in the world.” However, the Miss USA pageant does not. According to the Official Miss Universe website, “In 1902 Catalina Swimsuits founded Miss USA and Miss Universe in Long Beach, California as a product promotion.” A product promotion of swimsuits still exists in this day and age? This era when women are both CEOs and housewives? What if we changed our perception of beauty like women before fought to change the perception of what a woman can, can’t, or should do?
According to the Love Your Body Foundation, a pageant for women of all ages, sizes, and ethnicities, beauty contests “…uphold certain beauty standards that are dangerous and offensive, they pit women against each other as enemies competing to achieve impossible perfection and win male approval.” The message many of these contests are sending to our youth is, “That’s okay. You don’t really need a brain. You just need to be a size two and people will think you’re beautiful.” America claims to be changing, becoming more accepting and diverse. If so, why don’t we change this ancient view of what beauty is? America needs a renovation of the beauty contests, if not the termination of them altogether. Let’s redefine beauty in women as intelligence, perseverance, confidence, and optimism…which may still include “world peace”.
Anna Laura Parten
The content was good. It was good to know that you have participated in one and it was good to hear about other friends who have as well. That shows that you know what you are talking about.
ReplyDeleteI was a little confused about what exactly the argument was about. It starts out saying that many girls in beauty pageants aren't stupid and are actually striving for something such as a Ph.D. But then you discuss that some beauty pageants are a threat to younger, impressionable girls. By the end, you are discussing "brains and beauty" again. So is the argument that not all girls in beauty pageants are dumb or that beauty pageants need to be changed?
Maybe the final two statements should not be directly at the end. Because they tie in the paper, but they may be better hinted at the beginning or middle. I don't know exactly.
Also, this statement was confusing and should be worded differently: "Instead of requiring a particular talent or platform from their participants, and in some cases, money and/or a modeling contract, based solely off of how they look in a swimsuit and evening gown."
Other than that, it was a good paper because there was solid support of what was being said and quite interesting as well.
Katherine Anne
The paper was a interesting read to hear what someone who competes in pageants thinks about them and the difference between the two programs that are the biggest pageant for women. My only cite is that on your attack of Miss USA the only thing you said was what it was founded for way back in the day not what it claims to stand for now whether or not they actually do or not.I maybe biased on the subject and infact I know that I am but the arguement that youpose it one that makes your opposition take a moment to come back at you. HOwever, you should consider strenghten your point about the group that supports everybody being able to compete. And also you should look into who actually watches these events and who is actually hurting the"women's movement for equality" funny thing is it tends not to be men that are slowing the womens movement but other women. That could be a angle. Good paper overall though.
ReplyDeleteThe above post was made by Andrew Boyce
ReplyDeleteYou have developed credibility for this issue based on the fact that you have competed in beauty pageants. I also have a friend that competes om pageants for scholarships and such and I agree that they are helpful and encourage girls to be more than simply beautiful. It saddens me to hear that the Miss USA pageant is based solely on beauty.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this blog post. It was interesting to hear about beauty pageants from the perspective of someone who’s been in them. Overall, I thought it was a well constructed blog. The author provides personal experience along with credible information from the Miss America and Miss USA websites. Also, the author backs up what she is saying by giving the audience information, more particularly quotes, about what each of these pageants stands for. She provides their mission statement which tells the audience what the pageant is about. I knew that the two pageants differed but I had no idea they’re beliefs were that much different. It disappoints me that the Miss USA pageant is based solely on looks. There should be more pageants like the Miss America one that actually judge the contestants on more than just looks. I’m glad that there are pageants like Miss America that have the right belief when it comes to beauty pageants.
ReplyDeleteLauren Pinkerton
I highly enjoyed reading this artile. I have always been one of those people who tried not to judge the girls that were in pagents, but I have always thought that they were a little fake. Though now that I see it from this point of view it is no different really than a cheerleader getting a full ride to college. Those girls work hard for what they do and earn and you faught that arugement very well. I think you did a very good job with this topic, it truely opened my eyes.
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ReplyDeleteVictoria Neubert
sorry.