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!
