Do you find this disturbing at all?

Question

Last night I asked this question on the USA board so thought I'd ask everyone else now.

Yesterday I saw a picture of a child beauty queen in a ballgown and full make up, peroxide blonde hair, aged 7 years old. Do any of you find that quite vile? I do.

I am not talking about kids painting their faces for fun or trying on their mum's (or dad's, for that matter) make-up while dressing up to play. I'm on about unfortunate children who don't get to be children, because their pathetic stage parents have them modelling from the time they can walk.

Am I the only one sickened by this?

dickenz - look at it from a wider perspective. One lady from the States who answered my question yesterday was a child model herself as a kid and she told me how much it screwed her up, as she was pushed into it. I'm not talking about fun events here and there, and I'm not talking about doing a few talent shows.

Plus, think logically. A young child is being dressed as if she is a young woman. The FACT is that there are a lot of sick people around and this is catering to them. Have you heard of JonBenet Ramsey?

Look at the psychological state of young girls and their distorted body image today. It's getting worse and there are far more youngsters with bulimia, anorexia, and/or other dysfunctional psychological disorders. We are talking about littlew girls. I would say that installing this in a child from a young age through beauty pageants is actually quite important issue.

Squeezy - you're misunderstanding my comments. I'm not getting annoyed with anyone! I was explaining my view (in a perfectly rational, polite, and logical way). I did so because dickenz asked why I would get worked up about something like this. All I did was calmly back up my point of view, to answer her question.

There's a big difference between throwing abuse at people who answer, and explaining your view when they ask you to. A very big difference.

Answer 1

I agree. I am 13 and I think it's unfair and mean to have your little kids all dressed up in makeup and walking on stages.

Answer 2

Yes it's so cruel it's teaching the child that you have to be a certain weight and of certain looks. If the parents cared, they wouldn't do this. Is it any wonder that there are so many eating disorders out there. Kids should be kids, playing out and getting mucky with a few hobbies like sports and brownies not out there being paraded like they are at a dog show. X

Answer 3

I think there is something fundamentally wrong with making a 7 year old child look like a 20 year old.

When you see the pictures of some of these kids they look like mini adults and I think there is something profoundly worrying about a mother or father doing that to their child.

Answer 4

I think its disgusting especially as the child is so young and doesnt generally have a say in the matter

7 years old is disgusting as well!

I saw a girl on the tv at I think 9 and getting spray tans and manicures and all that and she was getting bullied at school
She isnt allowed to play at lunch and that as she might mess her hair/makeup up..
Is this right for a child?
I dont think so

Answer 5

Some of these babies are only three years old, they cannot possibly know what is going on. It should most definately be banned. Poor little mites don't even have any friends at six or seven years old, just rivals. I don't understand how people can't see that. Well done for bringing it to the forefront, maybe it will encourage those who can to do something to stop it! x

Answer 6

It's stupid making little kids dress up like that and act so serious at such a young age. Parents push their kids when they're in pageants and stuff. It's out of order and can cause stress for them, they're only young they should be enjoying themselves and running around playing. Not entering beauty pageants and wearing make-up for show. It's ridiculous.

Answer 7

I have a little boy who is 15 months old. I was one day approached on the street by a company offering photos at 25% off to all new customers. My son was only 3 months old at this point. It was great in front of the camra. When I went to collect the photos a few days later there was a modeling agent there. She asked if I would like my son to do a few photo shots. He would get £50 for each and would do about 2 aday. I would aslo get £36 plus traveling expensies paid for. So I said yes and after about 15 shoots she then said she had put his name down for doing fashion shows.

I told her that I thought it was only going to be tempory about 20 shoots and then that was it. My son was 5 months by this point. She said she delt with girls mainly wanting to be super models. I thought it was skick getting such young girls to do this.

I riped up the contract they had drawn up for me to sign to get him to do the same thing. I also wish I had never started in the first place. I know it is one thing doing a one off photo shot but I let it get out of hand when I joined up to do more.

These people who can't see that it is recking their childs life, to be blunt, should be shot.

I'm glad I stopped when I did and I willnever do it again

Answer 8

I think most children at that age who are that made up for pageants are not doing of their own choice but by "stage mothers" who are living vicariously through the child, not many 7 y/o's are going to choose to have their have bleached and wear make-up beyond playing dress up....for heaven's sake let them be children as long as they can, they have to grow up much to fast in this day and time as it is

Answer 9

You are certainly not alone, it sickens me too. Why can't kids just be kids? Instead of being trained from the age of 5 to wear tons of make up and bleach their hair? It's not hard to see why there are more and more young girls out there with self esteem problems and eating disorders. I think it is quite revolting.

Playing 'dress up' at home, for fun, is one thing, and it's fine as far as I am concerned - but plastering little girls in make up and sending them out to make money from their looks is something entirely different. It is just plain wrong, in my view.

Answer 10

No this should not be done.

It is an outrage, and all those parents should be locked up.

Save the $$ not for her $300 dress but for her college or trade.

A little girl should be pretend-playing with little dolls, like she wants to be a princess and living her innocence sweetness and gentleness just the way she is at her present age.

Answer 11

I find all pageants gross, and think it's worse when it extends to younger girls. It's disgusting. Women are trying to make their little innocent girl grow up much too fast, and 90 percent of the kids don't even like it. I believe you should be young while you have the chance. I'm only 15, and I already feel my youth is slipping away...It's really sad when it starts at like, age seven these days.