The newspaper article: Pinky's Corner: Miss America Pageant's elimination was disgraceful encompasses the underlying thoughts behind these stereotypical pageants. In this article, the writer discussed the impact of the questions and demands told to the contestants. The article lists the request for the contestants to stand behind the contestants still in running even after they were eliminated is an abomination. The effect on the woman who were questioned after being eliminated or the woman who had to stay on stage even after disqualified is quite degrading. 


Beauty Pageants result in negative effects of the human image and majorly effect the self esteem of the contestants. The article states: It makes it all more shameful that the Miss America contestants are not treated with more respect. The fact that the contestants are not only not treated with respect, but they are solely judged on appearance really effects the woman's self image. When thinking about these acts, one can only conclude that these woman are so tangled up in these competitions that they will go to ridiculous extremes to meet the standards of the pageants. 


Reflection Questions:


Why were the woman told to stay on stage after eliminated?


Why were the woman questions about their feelings about being disqualified? 


Citation: 


Kravitz, Pinky. "Pinky's Corner: Miss America Pageant's Elimination Process Was Disgraceful." The Press of Atlantic City [Atlantic City] 19 Jan. 2012. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <http://http://web.ebscohost.com/pov/detail?vid=6&hid=113&sid=4d44c893-bdbe-464d-aaa1-a5e089aa6f0a%40sessionmgr12&bdata=JnNpdGU9cG92LWxpdmU%3d#db=pwh&AN=2W63473358189>.

Most people would consider beauty contests beneficial to the female image, when in fact, I strongly believe that these competitions have an adverse effect. Beauty pageants put woman under the assumption that beauty is on the outside only and not within. These assumptions can have long term affects on woman and cause them to undergo surgery or begin rigorous dieting.


Many would say winning a beauty pageant is based off of skill, yet the judging is based solely on appearance. What has our society come to? This should not be the message that we want to portray to others on our thoughts of beauty.


As stated in the journal entry from The Australian: "Body image is the No 1 problem of young girls. So these children [in pageants] are absolutely being put in harm's way, and we can't just watch a train wreck about to happen. And it's cruel to judge little girls on their appearance. To say to a young girl, no, you're not pretty enough. So we're setting them up for plastic surgery and Botox injections and as a society, we must not sit by and let that happen." This is ridiculous because we are starting a trend at a young age. Beauty pageants promote the idea that the body image is what is most important. This not only is impossible for most woman, but lowers female's self esteem quite substantially. To reach this image, can cause woman to engage in unhealthy activities and procedures. 


Reflection Questions:


Why are beauty pageants judged solely on looks?


Is botox and plastic surgery necessary for children in beauty pageants?


Citation: 


Overington, Caroline. "Ugly Truth About Beauty Pageants." Australian (Canberra). 02 Aug 2011: 13. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 19 Feb 2012.

Beauty Pageants are competitions between woman of all ages based on distinct skills and a barbie doll image. Woman of any race, shape, or size are beautiful through out, not just based on their appearance or abilities. These competitions promote a negative image of female beauty that only a minority of woman can achieve. I have chosen this topic because beauty pageants are harmful to woman by encouraging dieting, eating disorders, and or by making woman feel unaccepted. This blog will encompass all of the points previously stated and address the major question: Are beauty pageants harmful to the female image?

Hamilton, Tom. (2003, May 17). Beauty Contests- International Debate Education Association- http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=218