Beauty Pageants for Children Should Be Banned

The beauty pageant has been a frequent form of competition and entertainment in the modern society. In these forms of contexts, participants compete in presentations, costumes, plays, scenes, and tableau among other types of show. The engagement of children in beauty pageant has created a new form of competition which has attracted a large number of audiences. These shows are aired on televisions, exhibitions and popular media, with contestants been children below five years. The engagement of children in the beauty pageants has raise controversies on whether these shows should be allowed or banned. The following gives the controversies engulfing children’s beauty pageants and a comprehensive statement supporting why they should be banned.

According to Kelly, Jessica and Lance (pg.201), some people believe that children’s beauty pageants are best grounds for exposure, building self-esteem and confidence among the children. A widespread perception is that children who engage in beauty pageants have better chances of joining the art industry, either through modeling, music or other forms of presentation. This exposure gives children the courage to present themselves in public, socialize and hence experience moral development. However, the willingness of the children to participate in these contests is questionable. These are children below the age of five years, and cannot make decisions of their own. The choice to compete in children’s beauty pageants is solely parental based. This is nothing less to child abuse since their participation in these contests serves the interest of their parents. Parents have turned their children into living dolls. According to Kelly, Jessica, et al (pg.15), whole competition is always freaky to the children, with most scenes witnessing children crying, screaming and frightened. This is a form of exploitation of the children, been forced to do what they are not willing.