Damaging effects of beauty pageants You would think that a life of glamorous hair and makeup, beautiful dresses and sparkling tiaras would be every young girl's dream , unfortunately, for many, this dream often turns into a nightmare. In today's world, little girls are subjected to the world of pageantry. In the United States, beauty pageants seem to be increasing over the years. Today, these competitions are very popular with little girls. They will do whatever they can to enter competitions. Even if the child wants to participate, the parents are blamed as much as the children. Many parents fall in love with the idea of ​​their children participating in competitions. So, is this really the child who wants to participate in such a demanding lifestyle? Beauty pageants first appeared in American society in the 1920s. It was first used as a marketing tool for a hotel. The competitions became more popular over the years, but were quickly discontinued due to the Great Depression. Once contests became popular again, they served educational and entertainment purposes. Applicants were offered scholarships and other beneficial programs. When Miss America started, she introduced beauty to everyone. You didn’t have to look a certain way or be the “total package.” In 1983, the first African-American woman won the title of Miss America. Americans realized that race should not come into play when deciding the winner of the Miss America pageant. The advantages of competitions have multiplied. In 1994, Miss America was crowned by a disabled person for the first time. Pageants told people that looks didn't matter that much. It taught others to look past the little things that often get stuck in people's minds. No matter your ethnicity... middle of paper ...... to be a teacher or a brain surgeon, your parents must accept your choices. Beauty pageants diminish children's life skills. They take away their love for themselves and make them live in constant fear. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia affect many girls every year; some admit they get them from beauty pageants. Competitions only judge your outward appearance and never anything that has meaning in life. No child should have to feel embarrassed about their body. The lesson that beauty pageants teach children is that you have to be almost perfect to be beautiful in our society. Since not all children are responsible, they contribute to certain factors. Parents also need to understand that their children are not perfect and they need to love them as they are. If they can't love their children as they are, how are children supposed to love themselves ??