Those who believe that child beauty pageants are bad argue that they can lead to a number of negative outcomes for children, such as:
- Exploitation: Children in beauty pageants are often put in situations that exploit their vulnerability, such as being forced to wear revealing clothing or perform acts that are not age-appropriate.
- Sexualization: Beauty pageants can contribute to the sexualization of children, which can lead to a number of problems later in life, such as eating disorders, low self-esteem, and sexual abuse.
- Stress and anxiety: Beauty pageants can be a very stressful experience for children, which can lead to anxiety and other mental health problems.
- Pressure: Children in beauty pageants are often under a great deal of pressure to perform well, which can lead to them feeling stressed and anxious.
- Fake personalities: Children in beauty pageants may develop fake personalities in order to please the judges and the audience, which can lead to them becoming dishonest and disingenuous.
- Bullying: Children who participate in beauty pageants may be bullied by other children who view them as being vain and superficial.
Those who believe that child beauty pageants can be a positive experience for children argue that they can provide a number of benefits, such as:
- Self-confidence: Beauty pageants can help children to build self-confidence and self-esteem by giving them the opportunity to showcase their talents and abilities.
- Social skills: Beauty pageants can help children to develop social skills by giving them the opportunity to interact with other children and adults in a positive environment.
- Public speaking skills: Beauty pageants can help children to develop public speaking skills by giving them the opportunity to practice speaking in front of an audience.
- Discipline: Beauty pageants can help children to learn discipline and perseverance by requiring them to practice and prepare for their performances.
- Creativity: Beauty pageants can allow children to express their creativity by giving them the opportunity to choose their own costumes and makeup and to perform their own routines.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to allow a child to participate in a beauty pageant is a personal one. Parents should weigh the potential risks and benefits of child beauty pageants carefully before making a decision.