Not exactly fair . .
I think pageants can be a great way for children and their parents to do something together and build the childs' cofidence- that means EVERYONE! Be they wealthy children or less fortunate children. However in a recent episode I witness a judge (of whom I should think to know better) act prejiduse towards one of the contestance. A girl, who worked just as hard as the other girls but whose parents didnt have the money to provide the hair, make up and costumes that the other parents were able to provide. Despite her lack of money the girls' act was very creative and just as great as the other girls act (even thought it was a bit less glittery than the other girls)- even one of the other judges saw fit to point this out. However the the snooty judge went on the to call the act "hookey".It seemed to me the producers made it a point to show just was a jerk this guy really was. I understand that pegeants are about what you put in is what you get out but my question is can we really expect these pageants to be based on true beauty and talent as oppesed to great make up and expensive costumes?
I too feel that these girls are over done however when I was younger I was heavily into theatre and plays- I even did some commercials. When it was time to for me to act or star in a play lots of make up was put on me, it was just always viewed as a costume. The same seems to apply for these girls- when they arent competing they look just like any other little girls and when the lights are on them they are in costume. As far as predetors go they are every where from lurking around soccer fields to beauty pageants some people choose not to let the fears of the world dictate their lives.
The biggest problem with these pageants is how much these kids are made up. If we are trying to teach our children confidence and build their esteem then please tell me why it is necessary to put more makeup on these little faces than we use. Also, they look like little women? Why? I heard a judge comment on one of the little girls' string of hair being out of place. They wear eyelashes, died hair, etc. Surely, no one can justify how that builds up a child. Why not have them looking like little girls and actually showcasing the spirit of that? In a world of predators WHY would you dress up your child to look much, much older than what she is? Why?