Is it just me or does anyone else feel that pageants like Miss Teen USA are primarily geared as a skin show?

Question

I’m sure they have some sort of value to ‘teen’s everywhere’ but I can’t help to notice that these pageants also seem to promote vapid morals and the same shallow message without any real inspiration. I mean what can a perfectly sculpted teenage debutant from Beverly Hills know about the struggles a teenage mother from the inner city of Detroit might have? I understand the potential value such a show could have if it weren’t so obviously geared towards physical beauty as being the criteria for personal self worth (and making a genuine humanitarian like Donald Trump wealthier), but do shows like this honestly fill that need?

My daughters used to watch it on occasion and all they did was get outraged at the fallacy of it all.

Also, am I correct in noticing that there’s not one minority contestant either?

I'm sorry, I should say that I havent noticed any minorities in this years pageant.

Answer 1

Some great points. Thank you. I have to believe some young people find value and affirmations in experiences such as that, but what bothers me more is,,, I think it begins with Parents, not the desire of the child. It also begings long before teen years.

I have a daughter who by circumstance took dance lessons for a few years. She got over the Princess idea however, and switched to karate,,,,earning a black belt. As parents we may have initiated her activities as a young child, but never pressed them heavily upon her.

I happen to work in and around theater venues now, and the people who press their children into something that may in fact be an ego boosting, self absorbing, narrowly focused way for the parent to "shine" and be noticed, and gads it is sad in so many ways.

Thanks for bringing this up. Cheers to your daughters.

Rev. Steven

Interesting that the answers before mine only went right to the minority part of your statement.

Answer 2

The original pageant was a bathing suit contest in Atlantic City.

Of course, contestants will show off theri skin.

For more nudity, they have Miss Nude America Pageants.

As for racism, that so weak an argument these days. There are people on committees trying to produce a look that will win the next pageant down the road. It has nothing to do with race. Some years that look ik black, some years latin, some years white. Who knows but the goal is to turn your champion into the a spokes person that will get you advertisement all over the world. It is about money.

And as for teen mothers, that is not the target audience, and it shouldn't be. If you want to inspire them try Mrs America. better yet, they should try out for it. It is obvious what is in it for them. Prizes. Scholarships. A chance to do something more with their lives.

And Yes it is mostly about physical beauty. So what? Most scholarship programs are based on brains. Brainy women are getting theirs. There is no problem there. And i don't think any of these girls are dumb either.

You need to ease up and just enjoy the fashion and pick some one you like and maybe they will win but then maybe they on't but at least you might see somebody you would like to win. I know i am wrong more times than right.

Answer 3

I don't think that Miss Teen USA or any beauty pageant in particular is just a skin show. Long before the Trump era, Miss Teen USA, Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants are highly regarded beauty pageants that promotes humanitarian/charitable help to needy people. I've been with a local pageant and I did not feel any negative impact on me or whatsoever. Entering a beauty pageant has been a positive motivation for me to study harder, work harder and be aware of needy people. I hope that makes you think deeper into pageants. =)

Answer 4

I just watched the last 30 min of the show and the winner couldn't even define integrity. On the other-hand I disagree with the minority not being represented, I saw at least 8 contestants that were of color (black, asian, latino ect.) there may have been a few more that were biracial, I say this because my daughters are, and one is no doubt half filipino but the other it would be harder to tell.

Answer 5

Are you kidding? There are plenty of minorities in every pageant. And yes, they are just a shallow attempt to equate beauty with value.

Answer 6

First, DUH! Second I went to school with Miss Teen NH. She is black. After High School She had a variety of jobs like Strip club and Mc Donald's.

Answer 7

i like miss america but none of the girls are preety on teen usa