Ban Child Beauty Pageants

I am pie

I would be all for it, or at least imposing a minimum age. The idea of judging a child on appearance is horrendous, telling another child they weren't pretty enough to win is pretty damaging. Worse still from the journal article I understand they have swimsuit sections of the competition. Surely that it wrong on many levels.

For me it is one aspect of American Culture we could definitely do without. Odd and grisly.

theGEM

Ban yourself and stay out of other peoples business.

Specialun

maybe your odd and grisly

Samuri Suicide

You were obviously an ugly child.

gramar

Children shouldn't be judged on appearance (no-one should) but the bigger problem is that it's not their natural appearance. They are dolled up to the nines with fake tan, lashes and make-up to beat the band.

salacious crumb

Ban the pagents and burn the parents

anncoates

I'd tend to agree although awareness of looks and body image seems to be starting at a younger and younger age these days so I'm not sure isolating one extreme example addresses it.

A friend told me he could get my 5 year old son into child modelling through a friend of theirs but I refused. Not that I think anybody who allows it is necessarily wrong but personally I'd like the age where my kid starts judging themselves and others in the hierarchy of looks to be postponed for as long as possible.

BeerWolf

Putting vanity into a young one's mind is NOT a good thing, and would give way to forms of bullying...

Frank Black

I wasn't aware of that there was such a proliferation of Child Beauty pageants within the jurisdiction, that a change in legislation was called for.

Please provide the necessary evidence and I'll consider my position on the matter.

Unless of course you've no evidence and this is more of a 'Joe Duffy' type rant about an issue that isn't really an issue.

o1s1n

Something very unsettling about these pageants. I've watched a few of those TV shows documenting them and it would seem to me that it's mostly parents living vicariously through their children's success. Often in a very pushy way.

Merkin

I think those pagaents are just paedo paradises.

Why on Earth would anyone want to see a small child with fake tan in a swimsuit shimmying their (barely out of nappies) bums is just freaky and weird. That programme Toddlers and Tiaras or whatever it's called is an abomination.

greenflash

As David Bowie once sang, this is not America. But if we do have a say, can we also ban mullets and people who love Jesus?

dr strangelove

Shouldn't the poll include an "Atari Pedobear" option?

biko

Ban them here OP, or in Murica?

wp_rathead

Little Miss Sunshine was great film

Dravokivich

I don't have a problem with the basic idea of it. Sure a small modelling comp for kids can be a bit of craic. But the beast they've become in the USoA and how they are managed is absolutely deplorable.

They've just been banned in france

As much as I hate the idea of them and find them disgusting I don't know about an outright ban
The parents are still going to be unhappy messed up pushy people pushing them into something or other. I saw a program where they went back afterwards years later and one of the girls used her winnings to pay for a good private school education, another was still doing it and won cruises around the world and made friends and so on

kylith

I'd be ok with them, to an extent, for girls over the age of, say, 12. Although I'd want restrictions on things like makeup, fake eyelashes, and inappropriate clothing.

The Backwards Man

I'd ban beauty pageants altogether. Stupidest things ever.

BeerWolf

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I'd ban beauty pageants altogether. Stupidest things ever.

Tell that to the women that thin..-k World Peace!

heybaby

Without a doubt child beauty pageants should be banned. The french have the right idea. Its so very disturbing and sad to see parents tart their daughters up like little hookers and parade them like pieces of meat in front of other parents who clearly have a jaundiced perception of what a childhood should constitute. Its a cliche but its true, while you actually need to have a license for a dog, even if you are a deeply flawed human being you can become a parent without any obstacles except your own fertility and a willing partner. The hypersexualization of children at beauty pageants is simply one strand of the disturbing sexualization of children / minors by society in general. Childhood should not be about sexuality, it should be about innocence which as any right thinking parent would tell you should be prolonged for as long as possible.

Rocket19

Soooo..this weekend, the "Universal Royalty Beauty Pageant" is coming to Dublin. The Bracken Court Hotel in Balbriggan is hosting the event this weekend, a child beauty pageant, which will see kids (from babies to teens) compete. I read that about 50 kids will be taking part.
There seems to be a lot of opposition to the pageant, but it appears to be going ahead nonetheless.

http://www.thejournal.ie/child-beauty-pageant-dublin-1090610-Sep2013/

France has recently banned child pageants, imposing criminal sanctions on the organisers. I don't understand how we aren't taking the same action. How is this being allowed here?
I would describe myself as quite liberal when it comes to most things, but this is undeniably creepy, and not an aspect of American culture we should be adopting in this country. If anyone has seen "Toddlers in Tiaras", they will know how weird and f*cked up these pageants are. I believe there is also a swimwear section of the competition.

There are few things worse than sexualising little girls, and parading them in front of adults. I don't see any benefit in hosting this kind of competition here, it's just...wrong (imo).
What does everyone think about it?

Also, here is the 'retired' 8 year old US "star", who will be taking part in a "meet 'n' greet" in Dublin over the weekend
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRimGiQkdtW2vtvQ57eNOhuzCOWzTkwPyMV0JiAtzoo1mWZfc5K
*shudder*

Grayson

I think a pagent can be run without being creepy, but having said that I haven't heard of one that isn't creepy.

stoneill

Balbriggan -

gugleguy

then post this thread OP in legal discussion and not after hours. Then it can be addressed more seriously than in AH.

Merkin

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057043394

TheIrishGrover

o1s1n wrote: »

Something very unsettling about these pageants. I've watched a few of those TV shows documenting them and it would seem to me that it's mostly parents living vicariously through their children's success. Often in a very pushy way.

They actually make me physically sick. I mean I actually want to vomit when I see things about them on tele and I have to switch away. I can see NO justification for them. Every single "justification" I hear about them rings hollow. They are nothing but another form of pedophilia and every person involved in them is, in their own way, involved in pedophilia.

Karl Stein

TheIrishGrover wrote: »

They are nothing but another form of pedophilia and every person involved in them is, in their own way, involved in pedophilia.

The other day I saw a man putting petrol in his car and I shouted 'enjoy your blood soaked hydrocarbons you fucking war-monger'.

JupiterKid

Child "beauty" pageants are bizarre, absurd and creepy. They are an unwelcome import from the USA and should be banned. As usual, the French have some common sense and the right idea.

There is NO justification whatsoever for these grotesque events that parade small children like pieces of meat and are also a honey pot for paedophiles. Damaging in every sense of the word.

Ban them.

Jimoslimos

stoneill wrote: »

Balbriggan -

Given the chronic neglect and underinvestment by Fingal CoCo I can hardly say I'm surprised that a hotel in the town would stoop to such low levels to chase business.

Zen65

gramar wrote: »

Children shouldn't be judged on appearance (no-one should) . . .

That might sound all well and good, but for evolution to work, we have been judging each other on the basis of physical appearance for millennia. Why stop now?



PS. I'm in favour of an all-out ban on beauty contests altogether. They are part of the dreadful "celebrity" culture that has set us backwards as a species!

Doom

Email the hotel your concerns....

info@brackencourt.ie

Zen65

heybaby wrote: »

The hypersexualization of children at beauty pageants is simply one strand of the disturbing sexualization of children / minors by society in general.

Agreed. I deplore the use of sexualised content now in TV adverts for kids. That ad for sweets with the line "she's tangfastic" makes me want to throw a stone through my telly. Why in the name of **** should kids be portrayed as having sexual fantasies about each other at that age? I doubt anyone can recall having such thoughts at that stage in our lives!


. . . . and as for afternoon TV shows portraying life in US schools . . . just utter horse____!

Ok, rant over!

Zen65

Zen65 wrote: »

That might sound all well and good, but for evolution to work, we have been judging each other on the basis of physical appearance for millennia. Why stop now?

It was never extended to babies, toddlers and small children until now. In an era where it's more important than ever that people are made to feel valued and appreciated even if they aren't beautiful or handsome, these pageants reinforce to tiny little children that the most important thing about them is how they look.

I hate them, and I question the motivation of a parent who spray tans and applies false eyelashes and lipstick to a toddler. It's very far removed from general modelling, where at least the child is allowed look like a child.

barone

those kids are not on stage acting as kids, they are pretending to be grown ups, grown up clothes,swimsuits,make up, poses models make,pouting..

its absolutley disgusting that they are made to perform like this for adult satisfaction.. i.e their parents.. and money.

exploitation it surely is .. and men judging the contests.. how is this allowed is beyond me.

they are kids ffs.

clairefontaine

Some of these kids are dressed up as 10th Avenue hookers.

Yes ban these stupid things.

I am pie

I would recommend social services having a word with the parents of any kids who is dressed up in a swimsuit and made to pout and pose for a prize

If you did it in your own home they certainly would be round knocking on your door.

Lando Griffin

I was at the local agriculturial show during the summer and they had a bonny baby competition.
There were sereral different classes : 0-1 year olds , 1-3 year olds and 3 and over for boys and girls.
I dont find anything wrong with it and as the MC said "Theres Lando now; champion in his day no doubt"

Lando Griffin

Lando Griffin wrote: »

I was at the local agriculturial show during the summer and they had a bonny baby competition.
There were sereral different classes : 0-1 year olds , 1-3 year olds and 3 and over for boys and girls.

Were they plastered in makeup and dressed like hookers though?

19543261

Creepy/weird thankfully isnt justification for a banning something. Mavbe we should complain about parents not being aware of proper nutrition, something which is an actual problem.

19543261

19543261 wrote: »

Creepy/weird thankfully isnt justification for a banning something.

If the participants are adults, then I'd agree.

The child pageants feature children who not only can't really give informed consent, but judging by that awful TV show, are bullied and manipulated into taking part.

19543261

Candie wrote: »

If the participants are adults, then I'd agree.

The child pageants feature children who not only can't really give informed consent, but judging by that awful TV show, are bullied and manipulated into taking part.

Informed consent for what? Having make-up on and stepping up on a stage?

19543261

19543261 wrote: »

Informed consent for what? Having make-up on and stepping up on a stage?

It's not that simple. If you watch that show you'll see small children sexualised and objectified. It's nauseating, and the children don't seem to benefit in any real way.

Lando Griffin

Candie wrote: »

Were they plastered in makeup and dressed like hookers though?

God no. They had everyday farmer clothes.
I am against these pagents but at the end of the day if the parents are stupid enough to enter their children into these pagents that becomes the norm for said child much akin to a child born into a circus family and thinks clowns are the norm.They quickly grow up to understand its not the norm and become very good at judging people.

I am pie

Yeah, completely normal. Swimsuits...children, adults judging how kids look in swimsuits.

Sounds healthy.

Rho b

The hotel has withdrawn their services for the "competition"
http://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-beauty-pageant-cancelled-balbriggan-hotel-1091809-Sep2013/?utm_source=facebook_short

wolfpawnat

If they were fully dressed and without the makeup it would be one thing, but they always are half naked or dressed in ways that would make "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding" look tame. Also the mothers give them red bull and other energy drinks and sugars, that's insane. I am sure there would be some proof that is not good for their hearts!

As a mom of a little girl, I would never parade her like that. I think a lot of those moms have unfulfilled lives and are very much trying to live through their daughters. And on a side note, many of the mum's on Toddlers and Tiara's appear to have faces like slapped arses! I never watched it but the ads scare me!

clairefontaine

19543261 wrote: »

Creepy/weird thankfully isnt justification for a banning something. Mavbe we should complain about parents not being aware of proper nutrition, something which is an actual problem.

No but child abuse is.

And creepy weird is a justification, hence prohibitions on flashing yourself when kids are around and prohibitions on child porn.

Femme_Fatale

I think the things are utterly messed up - can't stand them, but wouldn't a paedo be more interested in a child that looks like a child rather than a miniature adult?

AudreyHepburn

Ban them outright I say. They're disgusting.

I don't honestly see how anyone could be ok with dressing little girls up in ways even grown women wouldn't and having them sing/act/dance provocatively.

Anyone who thinks this is ok and just a bit of fun would seriously want to reevaluate their ideas imo.

GalwayGuy2

Hmmm, I must admit, they do creep me out and I do think pedophilia.

But, I think that's just a cultural thing tbh.

Maybe the Americans don't see it as "sexualisation", but more a child wearing makeup, or pouting?