I’m sure by now you’ve all heard of the most recent addition to the category of unsettling television programs: Toddlers in Tiaras. The show airs on TLC (but I guarantee the previews alone will make you uncomfortable, if not trigger your gag reflex). Anyway, after months of passive aggressively shaking my head at the show, I noticed the cover of People Magazine which finally seemed to point out how the show may have taken the subject of child pageants too far. Anyway, I bought the magazine, and after catching up on the latest with Jennifer Lopez and Bradley Cooper (they appear to be “friendly” but rumors of dating have been denied) I read what People had to say about TLC’s controversial show. Turns out I was only half right in expecting a solid criticism of its content.
While the article points out the obvious issues that arise when you dress your daughters like prostitutes, it failed to identify that sexualizing children is in many ways a feminist issue. The article basically criticizes the fact that child pageants put too strong an emphasis on girls’ physical appearance. Now this critique is obviously a valid one, but from a feminist perspective, there are far more reasons why child pageants and the publicity they draw is a social problem. I think that sexualizing our daughters (which is inherently twisted by itself) also invites people to “childify” women. By blurring the line between women and children, we are not only sexualizing children, but we’re bringing women down to a child’s level, suggesting they are helpless, incapable, and in need of protection. Kind of a lose-lose if you ask me.
Now I can’t write about this article without refuting the comments these moms have made in defending their child’s involvement in these pageants. People Magazine interviewed many of the moms featured on the show, almost all of which argued that pageant contestants partake in just another form of “dress-up,” and what little girl doesn’t love dress up?? Well, first of all, not all little girls love to dress up–let’s not be stereotypical here. Secondly, dressing up as a child is about creative expression. I look back fondly on memories of myself running around in innovative outfits that originated strictly from my 5 year old mind (most of which included my mother’s faux-fur vest and my brothers oversized bicycle helmet). Anyway, the point is that child pageants are a far cry from the creative exercise of “dressing up.” In fact, I would argue that they are quite the opposite. These pageants smother the contestants’ creative minds, and instead teach our daughters to mould themselves to societal expectations (and whoever does it best gets a cash prize!).
Another argument from pageant moms is that this kind of competition is a real confidence boost for their daughters. Moms claim that girls who partake in these kinds of competitions have higher self-esteem than other girls their age. Well, unfortunately that’s probably a true statement, but it’s important to consider where this confidence is coming from. If your daughter’s sense of self is coming solely from the praise she receives based on her appearance, then that’s a problem. The result is child who learns her only worthy asset is the way she looks and her ability to “work it” a child-sized Madonna-inspired cone-shaped bustier.
Anyway, TLC defends themselves in saying that they don’t pay the featured families on the show, nor do they encourage or condone any of the events that are recorded; they simply document what happens. The scary part is that over 2 million people tune in to watch.
ShoutOut! James Madison University 