Child Beauty Pageants Research Paper

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The 1996 murder of JonBenet Ramsey, a child beauty-pageant queen, brought up the question of whether child beauty pageants were unfavorable to young girls. Could the fake hair and poofy dress contribute to the murder of the six year old JonBenet? Many people believed so, which lead to the dislike of child beauty pageants. Twenty years forward, these child pageants are back in the spotlight with shows like Toddlers and Tiaras and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. Many people think, after JonBenet’s murder and these reality television shows, that child pageants are detrimental to young girls today. However, as a former beauty-pageant contestant, I have lived in the pageant world. A world that supposedly has a negative influence on young girls, but in …show more content…
High-glitz beauty pageants, that are shown on television usually have phases like formal wear, talent and some sort of modeling portion for the young beauty queens. But, natural pageants seem to have different phases like formal wear, onstage introductions and personal five minute interviews with the judges. These different competition portions are to help develop positive skills for young girls, that will be used throughout their lives. The most important lesson I have learned, competing in pageants at a young age, was learning how to feel comfortable conducting a personal interview. Since I was little, I have had a speech impediment, and pageants were a way to help overcome my struggle with speech. When I was six, I began to practice with my mom and my grandma, rehearsing questions until I developed enough confidence in my answers. Because of this, today, I have no problems with my speech or communicating with …show more content…
Pageants like Miss America, Miss USA, and Miss Universe all have a physical physique portion of competition, which is parading around in a bikini on national television. The question most people have is how these beautiful girls stay in shape? Well, most people think these girls develop eating disorders. However, Redd a former Miss Virginia, said that before pageants she was uncomfortable with her body. Before she competed again, she decided to lead a healthier lifestyle and eventually won the swimsuit portion at the Miss America pageant (196-99). Another former pageant girl, Mari Wilensky, said that she developed an eating disorder after she stopped competing in pageants. After going back into the pageant system, Wilensky overcame her disorder and won the title of Miss Florida. While most girls can develop illnesses and disorders, pageants can help girls become confident in
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