Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Let Kids Be Kids

Tonight on TV I ran across a child beauty pageant. I only watched it for a moment, so I can't really tell you much about it, but it appeared to be some sort of mother-daughter contest. The show was called Toddlers and Tiaras. I was sickened by what I saw. Little girls, toddlers, younger than my own daughter, all dolled up in sequins and heels and jewelry and makeup. Adults cheering. Trophys and cash awarded.

Parents, what are you thinking? These are your little girls! Do you not see the damage you are doing? Teaching them that people will like them if they are pretty. Teaching them that being glamorous is being successful. Teaching them that makeup and glitter make them more beautiful. Come on! This is abhorrent.

I will take tangled hair with bits of jelly in it over sprayed and pinned curls anyday. My daughter's cheeks are pink because she runs outside. If her lips are bright red, she has been eating a popsicle. Her high heels are about 12 sizes too large - because they're mine. She does have some dresses that sparkle, it's true - two of them have fairy wings, all of them have tutus, and most of the time they are worn in some combination with a superhero costume, Curious George glasses, and a stethoscope.

The older my kids get, the less I am inclined to criticize other parents. But this? This is wrong. It's just wrong. It is exploitation of one's own child. It makes me sick.

(I may have to delete this post if I start getting weird search engine traffic. That happened once before due to an innocent combination of words...it was creepy.)

3 comments:

Beth said...

I agree with you. I don't understand why anyone would do that with their child.

And I think that a tutu, Curious George glasses, and a stethoscope is hilarious.

Coleen said...

One sad thing about the toddler "beauty pageants" is that many of the mothers validate their actions by saying "She WANTS to do it". And I've often heard it defended by mothers who insist that doing these shows boosts a child's self-confidence--as if there is no better way to do that. The worst part of it is the "sexualizing" of these innocent babes. I think these pageants ought to be outlawed!

Chris Tindall said...

Just goes to prove - again - that some people should simply not be allowed to breed.

I AM curious as to what other post got you weird traffic.... lol