Are Pageants bad for children?

[BreakfastSurreal]

In that case though...wouldn't you say that it's society as a whole that does this to us? For example if I am taking my dog out to potty and have on some silly polka dot boxers and a bright green t shirt and my nice dressy slides...and someone talks to me, i try not to look them in the eye because im totally embarrassed about how I look. But if I am dressed normal then I have no problem being myself and tlaking to them.

 

[All Else Failed]

In that case though...wouldn't you say that it's society as a whole that does this to us? For example if I am taking my dog out to potty and have on some silly polka dot boxers and a bright green t shirt and my nice dressy slides...and someone talks to me, i try not to look them in the eye because im totally embarrassed about how I look. But if I am dressed normal then I have no problem being myself and tlaking to them.

When children are young and this happens, then yes its their parents and society.


Yeah you would have no problem talking to them if you were dressed/looked a certain way because you think you look attractive when you're all "dressed up".

 

[Tegan]

But who's parents don't instill that in them? You mean to tell me your parents never once told you "Go change your clothes, you don't look presentable"? I refuse to believe your parents never told you that. While I agree a lot f the beauty peagent stuff is WAY over the top, it's not abnormal at all for American parents to instill a basic sense of "to look nice, you need to dress nice" in their children.

 

[BreakfastSurreal]

its not about dressing up. its about being embarrassed about looking silly, in the example I shared. Why would I care about being attractive to every person i met? Sure I have wanted to look attractive to certain people, and yes, that includes people other than my boyfriend, but I don't need to feel like I am attractive to every person I meet. For that matter, why does ANYONE dress any certain way? Dressing nice is what I prefer, because it makes me feel comfortable. EVERYONE has a specific way that they dress, if they can afford it, and EVERYONE dresses their way to feel comfortable. Comfort is confidence also.

 

[All Else Failed]

But who's parents don't instill that in them? You mean to tell me your parents never once told you "Go change your clothes, you don't look presentable"? I refuse to believe your parents never told you that. While I agree a lot f the beauty peagent stuff is WAY over the top, it's not abnormal at all for American parents to instill a basic sense of "to look nice, you need to dress nice" in their children.

This goes far beyond "looking nice" though.

 

[All Else Failed]

its not about dressing up. its about being embarrassed about looking silly, in the example I shared. Why would I care about being attractive to every person i met? Sure I have wanted to look attractive to certain people, and yes, that includes people other than my boyfriend, but I don't need to feel like I am attractive to every person I meet. For that matter, why does ANYONE dress any certain way? Dressing nice is what I prefer, because it makes me feel comfortable. EVERYONE has a specific way that they dress, if they can afford it, and EVERYONE dresses their way to feel comfortable. Comfort is confidence also.

Yes, you're right. Looking silly isn't attractive so you don't dress that way. You dress nice to be presentable, everyone does in their own way, and this is a from of attraction. Now, you may not set out to look attractive by simply dressing nice, but someone who sees you and thinks that you look nice is going to be attracted to you. it doesn't have to be sexual attraction either.

 

[BreakfastSurreal]

so i dont see whats wrong with that then? what is the debate about here? we all do it in our own way, so who are we to judge if a 7 year old wants to play dress up so she can look pretty?

 

[All Else Failed]

so i dont see whats wrong with that then? what is the debate about here? we all do it in our own way, so who are we to judge if a 7 year old wants to play dress up so she can look pretty?

The way they dress is pretty Risque most of the time. Who honestly wants to see a 7 year old with tons of make-up on dancing around in bathing suits? Very weird.

 

[Boomer]

so i dont see whats wrong with that then? what is the debate about here? we all do it in our own way, so who are we to judge if a 7 year old wants to play dress up so she can look pretty?

*points to the title of the thread* You asked! :tongue:

My neices looked absolutely adorable and they never dressed like that.

 

[Keight]

Yeah I Dont like it either, its making them think they have to look a certain way too, Ive been offered for my son to appear in ads etc for clothing lines He has that kinda face, angelic yet devilish and have always said no, its pushing the child a little too early and though they may look cute you gotta wonder how the kids feel.

 

[BreakfastSurreal]

no when i said i dont see what the debate is about, i was referring to what AEF was said about people wanting to look attractive.

 

[icecuban]

i think it instills the wrong idea of what it means to be pretty. but look around, what do u expect, better prep them for television, to make those dolla dolla bills