As of Tuesday, the French Senate approved a bill to ban child beauty pageants on the grounds that they promote the "hyper-sexualization" of minors. The bill even goes as far as proposing jail time for anyone encouraging access to the competitions for anyone under 16. While many people here in the U.S. support France's decision, there are doubt concerning whether a similar bill would work here in the states. Martina Cartwright, an adjunct faculty member at the University of Arizona, doubts how adequately the ban will address the issues of girls and women, "being judged solely on appearance, and the idea that self-worth is only based on how they look." Due to the airing of Toddlers & Tiaras, the child pageant world has exploded into a multibillion-dollar business. However, many of these competitions would benefit from regulations (i.e. making sure the operators are legitimate businesses, health and safety, etc.). Would America benefit from a ban on beauty pageants? Or is it the reasons behind them that need some work?
While reading this article, I noticed how there weren't any sources that were all for the ban, which leads me to believe that the author, Michelle Healy, may support beauty pageants and what good they stand for. I don't like beauty pageants for little girls, but I do think they can serve as confidence boosters for older girls and women. The industry could definitely benefit from more regulations and possibly an age requirement.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/09/22/beauty-pageants-children--ban/2842431/
I agree with you in the fact that there should be an age restriction. A lot of people over the age of 16 are the ones that need that extra boost of confidence. Having pageants for little kids is kind of obnoxious. - Nia Edwards 4th period
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing the affects from beauty pageants for little girls on TV, I totally support having age restrictions. While its good for teenagers and women to serve as a confidence booster, I don't think younger girls are mentally prepared for the affects that "hyper-sexualization" may have on them. I understand how fun it is to dress up and put on makeup, but at such a young age it just seems to all go to their heads. - Nana Johnson 2nd Period
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