Have any of you ever seen the show on TLC called "Toddlers and Tiaras"? It's about little girls who compete in beauty pageants...and are often pushed to do so by their parents. I've watched it on numerous occasions and I always sit there and shake my head in dismay. What is it about some parents who try to make their daughters grow up before it's time? These little girls wear caked on makeup, false teeth (AKA flippers), fake eyelashes, and hair extensions. They are made to look like 20-something year old women! The whole concept completely unnerves me! What would possess any parent to take their little girl, dress them up to look like a street vamp, and have them parade around on stage for everyone to see? Call me old-fashioned or a fuddy duddy, if you will, but I simply don't understand it!Doesn't it stand to reason that these little girls will grow up with the concept that they have to look "perfect" in order to be beautiful? They'll insist that their hair and makeup be fixed "just so" before they can face the world. Will those who win consistently think that they're better than all the other girls? I don't know, perhaps I'm taking it a bit too far, but it does concern me.
What are your feelings on the subject? Personally, I think it's a travesty for anyone to encourage an innocent little girl to grow up too quickly. What's the rush? I say let kids be kids...for as long as time will allow!
P.S. As you know, fall is right around the corner and with the arrival of fall comes Halloween! Well, my sweet bloggy friend, Tanielle, over at The Polka Dot Daisy, is having the most amazing Halloween giveaway ever! So, pop on over, enter her giveaway, and learn all about that adorable family of hers!
44 comments:
Sweetie, I totally agree with you on this subject. It is crazy, let them be little girls while they can be.
As a mother of three daughters, I would NEVER do that to them. It's crazy! I've watched that show and it's sad what those parents put those little girls through. Oh, you forgot to mention the fake spray on tans those poor little things are subjected to. And don't get me started on the "dance routine" they are forced to perform.....UGH.
As I came upon the first photo I thought what kind of Barbie doll is that? Then I started reading and couldn't believe that was a "real" girl! What the heck are these parents thinking?
I have 6 girls and I never stress looks on the outside...it is what is inside that counts...These parents need to lay off! They are doing such great damage to their little girls! Border line child abuse?! Some day it may be considered just that!
I watched part of one show one time, and that was enough for me. Mothers continually say, "She wants to do this. Whenever she says she's not having fun, we'll stop." Sometimes the child cries and refuses to go on, but they're pushed. It's obvious that it's mom who is living vicariously through the child. I say it's child abuse!
Sad.
Really sad.
I am not pro.
.mac :(
In wholehearted agreement here, April.
Suzanne
The whole concept of this disgusts me, April. And you are absolutely correct~these girls may grow up to be totally in to their beauty instead of personality and brains. OR, they can rebel and never wear make up again, go to Harvard and become Rocket Scientists!
I am having a givaway too, of the UGLY roosters. If you want, mention it on your blog, and of course, join in if you like ugly roosters!! :-)
xoxo
Jane
I think its like everything else in this world... the sooner you get kids started in something, the better they can do... I mean, in most things, you're over age when you're in your early 20's!!! How sad is THAT!
I have never understood the fascination with the whole pagent thing...I think it's cool for older young ladies, seeking scholarships and such, but this show T & Ts...makes me a little unnerved as well.
Three words: Jon Benet Ramsey. I pass the cemetary where she's buried often; I wonder if she had many truly fun moments in her brief life. A new study shows that children who have "unstructured play time" are happier and do better in school than those for whom their entire life is planned out. When I was a kid, it was called "playing", and that's just what we did.
I can't even watch that show, it makes me sad, and it seems to me the one time I did watch, the little girls were very demanding of their moms, and pretty snotty. Life is hard enough as it is...I think this will make it harder for them for sure. You can call me a fuddy duddy too!:-)
Thanks so much for posting about my giveaway...you are awesome and so sweet!! Have a great day!
I can't bring myself to even watch that show. Let girls be girls. Kids grow up fast enough anymore why rush it even more?
Another reason I'm so glad I don't have cable. I think it's really sick honestly. Don't know what those moms are thinking.
I have seen the show advertised but have never watched it. I can't even imagine putting Lexi through something like that. I agree with you....let kids be kids!!
I agree, April. I still cannot believe that those children wear false teeth, wigs, etc.! What is that?? Unbelievable and so sad... Lori
I very much agree with you April. I have only seen the commercials for this show but will not watch it. My heart breaks for those little girls, they will never have a normal childhood. I also feel sorry for those parents - obviously they are living out their dreams and ambitions through those children and trying to cash in on their daughters!
I'm old-fashioned and fuddy duddy with you. (as I look at my child with holes in her jeans, t-shirt, and still in her jacket, uncombed hair and runny nose, and she is adorable!)
I agree with you its just crazy!
I've seen it and was shocked. Totally agree with you. Not to mention the amount of money the families spend on this! It's pretty wild - hundreds of dollars on a dress for a 3 year old?!
To each their own....
This may do something positive for their self esteem.
However, I think the negative far outweighs the positive on this one.
I may be totally wrong on that because I dont know anyone that is this extreme.- My knowledge is solely from the television.
i agree with you. i can't even bring myself to watch the show. i think it's wrong on so many levels.
I have seen this show too, and just shake my head. I agree...it is way over the top for my thinking...
Yeah...I can't stand pageantry at all, especially the little ones :(
I'm sorry but I think it's completely and utterly gross!! I had an adorable pre-k student once who came unglued because her tooth fell out while at school. She was afraid her mom would be mad and she was worried about the pageants. That's just wrong!
Oh I didn't say that I never have and never will watch that show!
I watched the show the other night...saw the little precious girl with that humongous tiara...I could not believe the little dark haired one you posted...she looks like a hand painted Madame Alexander Doll. I say...let them be little. What happened to little girls looking like little girls...not like mini hookers. I was so sad when the show was over and I saw how those mommy's acted. Griefus.!
I watched the show the other night...saw the little precious girl with that humongous tiara...I could not believe the little dark haired one you posted...she looks like a hand painted Madame Alexander Doll. I say...let them be little. What happened to little girls looking like little girls...not like mini hookers. I was so sad when the show was over and I saw how those mommy's acted. Griefus.!
i pretty much cringe and fall all over myself (not in a good way) when i watch that show. it freaks me out. i try to avoid it.
I agree. I can't even watch that show for more than 5 minutes. It just disgusts me. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Oh that show irks me to no end!!! I can't even watch it!!
My girls (well, Meg...cause Tori hated it) were in pageants. All was well and innocent until I was told I didn't put enough make-up on her....I need to add hair extensions (um, her hair was already to her waist!!) eye lashes....etc!! We ended them when she was in the 4th grade because of all that crap!!!
When she was in them she won all the time....even won $$$ in the thousands!! But it wasn't worth her losing her childhood over!!!
I have two daughters and would never even have thought of getting involved in something like this when they were small. I think it's totally inappropriate. Childhood is all too fleeting as it is.
Just wanted to stop by and say thank you for visiting my blog and for your prayers. Love your blog and looking forward to visiting more often now that I found you.
_Ashley*
Creepy-that is what I think. It kind of turns my stomach to see that show-I completely agree with you-
That show is awful and creepy!!! I can't believe that people actually do that!
Also, I love your new header and look April - it is so cute!
XOXO
Jen
I think it is just creepy. What is it teaching these young girls?
I've never watched the show. Just the commercials are enough to sicken me. This is child abuse. That's not an opinion, it's fact!!
I recently watched a show similar to that and I was shocked that this went on. It's really quite creepy but not as creepy as those women who push realistic babies around in prams! That's just so weird.
Lindsay
x
oh yeah, those moms are nuts and are constantly deceiving themselves.
I hope you are feeling better and are not suffering with that darn kidney stone again my friend.
I have sinus issues, and I highly recommend over the counter Mucinex if you suffer with congestion. It has turned my sinus problems around and was recommended by my sinus doctor. It is amazing.
(I know, I am late for this advice, but put the thought away for your next cold :)
Take care,
Julie
I find it totally bizarre, and I just found out my cousin is doing this with her little girl! It's sickening, and not only will they think they have to look perfect to be accepted, but they're learning that perfect = fake. Fake teeth, hair, etc. So sad.
oh what an awful thing to do to a kid!!! i would never do that to my three daughters - heck, i dont even do it to myself!!!! it is so so sad... and i will surely add my thoughts and prayers to the many being offered for kevin and his family... how are you feeling??? i hope those kidney stones have stopped troubling you.. xox.... annie
I have never seen the show, but I know it will make me feel mad. Little girls shouldn't have to feel all that pressure. Life is too short and childhood goes so quickly! Let them play and have fun :) they should not be sitting at a salon getting extensions. That makes me want to cry!
Oh... we have to let them be innocent, little kids!! Little girls shouldn't be pressured into things like that! And childhood should be about play... fun... relaxed schedules... how sad.
In total agreement! It just frustrates me...I feel so bad for these little girls.
I haven't seen this show but have heard about it. It's not something I agree with either!
Post a Comment