Just saying the words Beauty Queen makes you think of sparkling smiles, evening gowns and diamond tiaras. Following the success of movies like Drop Dead Gorgeous and Miss Congeniality, beauty pageants are becoming increasingly popular in Western culture. There was a time when pageants were specifically for girls and women over the age of 18, however now there are children’s beauty pageants that are open to girls under the age of 12.

Initially the idea of ​​girls in children’s beauty pageants is a bit shocking, however if you think about the natural way little girls walk into their mother’s wardrobe and try on jewelry and shoes, pageants are just an extension. of childhood fantasies of being a princess. As long as the outfits the child wears in the contest are in good taste, then there is little reason to object to them.

The different rounds in a beauty pageant can allow the child to develop skills that they may need later in life. For example, the interview round can teach the participant about enunciation, expressing opinions, and her general public speaking skills. In addition to this, they will learn how to be themselves and become comfortable speaking to larger groups of people, which can be crucial in school situations when class presentations may be required.

The talent part of a beauty pageant allows the child to develop their own talents and having to perform in front of others will help them overcome shyness. One of the main reasons parents enter their children in child beauty pageants is to help boost their self-esteem. Although not every child can win the overall competition, each child will receive a prize for participating. In addition to this, these contests encourage the child to feel more comfortable in her own skin.

Many parents who have had children with birth defects will enter them in these contests to teach them that they are no different from other children and that they can participate in the things that other children participate in. This works both ways, as competitive children learn not to judge others if they have a disability and become more tolerant; this is something that many children do not have the ability to do if they rarely interact with a disabled person.

Beauty pageants give kids the chance to feel like a princess for a day, there’s a chance some might feel it encourages kids to grow up too fast, but if the kids have well-grounded parents then there’s little reason. to think. this. I know from experience that young girls spend hours and hours dreaming of wearing diamond tiaras, high heels, and makeup.