CHILD BEAUTY PAGEANTS THE HARMFUL EFFECTS Marissa Pattison

CHILD BEAUTY PAGEANTS THE HARMFUL EFFECTS Marissa Pattison Composition II Mrs. Whitney

A Little History • • 1961 The Little Miss America Pageant is the first child beauty pageant held. 1964 Age divisions are incorporated into the Little Miss Pageant due to the large amount of entries (35, 000). 1980 A new type of pageants called Glitz are incorporated into the child beauty pageant world. These pageants included fake nails, rhinestone dresses, and spray tans. 1995 The first documentary exposing child beauty pageants is released called Painted Babies by Jane Treays, which follows two five year old child beauty pageant contestants. (Key events, 2010)

A Little History • • 1996 Jon. Benet Ramsey, a six year old child beauty pageant winner, is found murdered in her home. The investigation revealed some incite into the horrors of the child pageant world. 2006 Little Miss Sunshine, a film that ridicules child beauty pageants, hits theatres and once again brings massive attention to the negative aspects of child pageants. 2008 Jane Treays releases another documentary ntitled Painted Babies at 17. The film shows the same girls portrayed in her first documentary, only twelve years older. 2009 Toddlers and Tiaras and Little Miss Perfect hit television screens everywhere, both reality television shows about child beauty pageants. (Key events, 2010)

The Opponents Say… Child Beauty Pageants: ü Sexualize children ü Decrease self-esteem ü Increase children’s sense of entitlement ü Cause eating disorders ü Lower self-image ü Damage children’s mental health

The Advocates Say… Child Beauty Pageants: üAre enjoyable learning experiences üAre like any other extracurricular activity üTeach children how to lose gracefully üIncrease self-esteem in children üDevelop confidence and poise in children

Thesis Child beauty pageants sexualize children, depreciate self esteem, and increase a sense of entitlement.

Sexualization of Children

Depreciation of Self Esteem

Increased Sense of Entitlement