Online Tutoring on Beauty pageants
What is the concept of beauty and beauty contests? Beauty is what is seen through the spectacles of a patriarchal society. Beauty contests are nothing but fake delusions of grandeur and commoditization of women as exhibits flaunting their shapes and intelligence. So, yes, beauty pageants should be banned as real beauty and beautiful women exist outside it. Martin (2014) rightly observed that beauty pageants, like the Miss America Contest, should die as real beauty is about resilience and not about good shape and smart answers. Modern women feel proud to represent their towns, cities, states or countries, whereas there is actually no pride in displaying one’s physical attributes in a bikini or outlandish designer wear which some women can never dream of wearing. Moeschen (2013), Senior Editor, Hufffington Post, has also explored why beauty pageants are bad for everyone. Besides money-making and publicity, there are no philanthropic or patriotic objectives. Such vestigial events should be banned.
However, it can be argued that there is nothing wrong in exhibiting one’s shape and sharp mental abilities. It is often overlooked that there are some very difficult IQ hurdles to be crossed by the contestants. It is not an easy task to balance fitness, elegance and intellect. In ‘All womens Talk‘ section of Lifestyle, women have written how the contests have boosted their self-confidence. They feel empowered after overcoming challenging rounds. There is no patriarchal pressure involved. Take it from Chantelle Wright, who won several titles including Miss Georgia State University 2007 and Miss Georgia Teen America 2001. She writes that beauty contests give a platform to display talents and skills. Several talented fashion designers get opportunities to stage their innovations. Thus these contests help in merchandising innovative outfits and accessories. There is no reason to ban them.
References:
- All Womens Talk, Lifestyle forum [Online] Available at: http://lifestyle.allwomenstalk.com/reasons-to-enter-a-beauty-pageant (Accessed: September 13, 2015)
- Martin, Courtney E. (2014). Beauty Pageants, Like the Miss America Contest, Should Die. New York Times [Online] Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/09/12/is-the-miss-america-pageant-bad-for-women/beauty-pageants-like-the-miss-america-contest-should-die (Accessed: September 13, 2015)
- Moeschen, Sheila (2013). Beauty Pageants are bad for Everyone, Huffingtonpost [Online] Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sheila-moeschen/beauty-pageants-are-bad-fore-everyone_b_3466575.html?ir=India&adsSiteOverride=in (Accessed: September 13, 2015)
- Wright, Chantelle (2007). The Benefits of Participating in Pageants. CrossWalk. [Online] Avaialble at: http://www.crosswalk.com/family/homeschool/the-benefits-of-participating-in-pageants-11557063.html (Accessed: September 13, 2015)
