Child pageants are very much not necessary; I don't feel their brains develop properly when subjected to the means of being *adults* while still being *children*. I hate to say it, but these are the girls the pedophiles prey on and things happen to. Why? Because they're being exposed to the media and they can't do a thing about it. Are the parents watching them 24-7? Ha! You mine as well tell me they have super powers. But I digress a little-let's look at a few of the pageants that air here where I live in America and they may even air in other places around the world. And let's keep in mind-pageants use many different means of finding their particular *miss* including swimsuit competitions, evening wear, panel questions, etc. Children pageants do something similar, so also keep this in mind.
Miss America? Meant for the adult woman, and been around since 1921. A pageant used to find the most beautiful woman across America and Puerto Rico.
So is Miss Universe, which began in 1952, used to find the most beautiful woman across the world.
Miss USA? NOT the same as Miss America. Miss USA, founded about the same time as Miss Universe, is used to find the USA representative for the aforementioned.
Miss Teen USA? Been around since 1983 and is its own even for teen girls aged 14-19. This show hasn't aired since 2007, but is still running apparently. Okay-I can see that-most of those teens have been through puberty and understand more about their bodies. They're not all ready for life ahead, but it's a step in the right direction for them as growing women..
Toddlers and Tiaras? GIVE ME A BREAK! I feel that show was just made because someone was losing money and needed a quick idea. I can say a lot of people I personally know dislike seeing such young girls going through aggressive mannerisms from everyone around them including their own mothers, who are supposed to be their MAIN source of support. Do they really believe their child is going to be a "star" all throughout their life? The answer is "highly unlikely".
These kids are exposed to a lifestyle that most kids shouldn't be exposed to. Perhaps back MANY years ago, this would have been a suitable, plausible idea. But in the lifetime of 2011 and the future ahead, society is on a downhill spiral WORLDWIDE, and these children, to me, feel like mindless victims being controlled by money hungry, superficial people.
If I ever have a daughter, I'll be sure to have her raised what I believe the *right* way is-with both of her loving parents and the correct wisdom to pass along so she may be a better woman for herself.