We are currently working on research papers in WRTC and one students topic caught my eye. She is doing research on eating disorders and the cause of root of their existence. This led my mind to wonder even further to one of the most physically judgmental hobbies I can think of, especially for young women, beauty pageants. Views and opinions of the effect of beauty pageants on young women vary vastly from person to person. There are those who feel that beauty pageant do not encourage self esteem but torment girls and destroy their self esteem due to the fact that they are being judged merely on their physical appearance. There are also those who feel that the judgement the young girls are getting is a way to gain self confidence merely because of their physical appearance.
I personally do not completely disagree with young girls competing in beauty pageants, however, I do feel that beauty pageants are a definite cause for the demise of certain young women and their health due to eating disorders. In some cases, if a certain girl were to win a title based on her physical appearance, then that experience would most likely boost her self confidence therefore helping with her internal issues with herself. Although this is true for some young women, not every girl can win in a beauty pageant which leads to my opinion that beauty pageants are the not the sole root or cause of eating disorders in some cases, however they do not help in preventing them and in many cases lower self esteem that may lead to the development of an eating disorder.
I am no expert on beauty pageants but don't they also judge inner beauty. I don't know if I am correct in assuming these things from Miss Congeniality, but there is a talent and question portions as well as outer beauty judgement. The talent and questions tap into not only the external beauty that people assume that beauty pageants are all about, but who the person on stage really is as a person. I am not sure how much these factor into the overall judgements, but it is something for beauty pageant critics to consider when bashing the judgment of physical appearence.
ReplyDeleteMany people do find beauty pageants to be the blame for eating disorders. But this assumption goes along with any platform that promotes outer beauty. Pageants promote much more than just a pretty face, but many times its the headshot and photographs that receive the attention instead of the other aspects. Community service is of high importance in most pageants, but many don't see that. You are correct to say that tehy are not the sole root. Eating disorders come from a deep mental place in the patient. It goes beyond outside instigators and beyond the relationship with food and weight. "Genetics load the gun and environment pulls the trigger" as a society we can only promote self-acceptance. Society can have its affect on individuals, that goes without saying. But pointing the blame at specific mediums will get us nowhere.
ReplyDeleteI agree that beauty pageants, along with other things that promote you to look good in a swimsuit, dress, etc. cause eating disorders. I think this because it may be in their genetics, but I believe that pageants along with other things can trigger one to develop such a disorder. Girls continue to compare themselves to other girls, some of which have the "perfect body." I think beauty pageants along with many other things can cause individuals to turn to such extremes.
ReplyDeleteI think talent comes ahead of beauty. But beauty pageants have never have an "ugly" girl win, and that it why they are called beauty pageants and not talent pageants. There is no right definition of beauty and it is different for everyone, but the one that society creates for us does cause girls to acquire eating disorders. Its too bad that scholarships are given out in beauty pageants for judges basing girls off of mainly their looks instead of actual talent and intellect. I'd like to see a beauty pageant where and under average looking girl wins that owns the talent and other areas of the pageant.
ReplyDeleteEating disorders in general are such a controversial issue in our society. I do believe that beauty pageants can help cause them but they are NOT the only cause. Other factors include the type of living environment including parents, family and friends all can be causes for a person to develop an eating disorder. I do believe that society especially the media is another factor that should hold some responsibility.As Laura stated we stereotype beauty pageants as being negative when they can be beneficial and many of the girls have true beauty and true talent. We need to break the stereotypes down and stop pointing fingers, and try to solve the problem, to every problem there is a solution.
ReplyDeleteI believe that beauty pageants damage girls’ self-esteem, except those girls who win that is. However, the winners do not necessarily use that self-esteem post to better themselves and feel good about their inner-selves. I know a girl who started doing pageants her junior year of high-school and continues them now. She is now obsessed with looking perfect at all time. Her hair and makeup is always done and I doubt you'd ever catch her wearing sweats. If anything, I think beauty pageants encourage importance of physical beauty rather than boosting self-esteem.
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