Moms Talk: Pageants

Some new moms can’t wait to get their gorgeous baby girls into a beauty pageant, sometimes as early as three months of age.  What is more fun than dressing up our little darlings for all the world to see?  Not only do pageant parents see the competition as a way to boost a child’s confidence, often winnings include scholarships toward future education.  What could possibly be wrong with that?  Especially in a more than sluggish economy?

Pageants for very young girls came under scrutiny when the tragedy that was the Jonbenet Ramsey case made headlines in 1996.  Since then we have had countless scandals with national pageants and winning queens, and even a reality television show that makes stage moms look like Mommy Dearest. 

But is all of the negative hype really what goes on behind pageant doors?  What about the scholarship dollars that put contestants through college?  In fact, not all pageants are strictly based on beauty.  There are substantive pageants like the Miss T.E.E.N. (Teens Exceeding Excellence Nationally) that require contestants to do community service or charity work to qualify, and gives contestants a choice to perform a talent or give a speech on a cause they deem worthy.

We are talking about pageants on Moms Talk this week because we know there are many sides to this controversial topic.  That is what Moms Talk is all about.  It is a place each Wednesday on Patch.com where parents come to comment and learn from one another about any topic relating to parenting.  If you have a topic or would like to be a member of the Moms Council, send an email to ajscarlett@comcast.net.

So what is all the fuss about when it comes to pageants?  Too much pressure for our young daughters?  Or an enriching experience that helps build their confidence and develop leadership skills?  What is your opinion?  Or how do we get our child into a pageant?  Any tips on the best resources?