Apart from this being a horrific crime it has also raised a media
hype over the appropriateness of children's beauty pageants. Lately
I have seen more little girls parading in makeup, seductive clothing,
big hair and sexy expressions on the t.v. than I could imagine. It
disgusts me beyond belief. The objectification of these girls is
disgusting. The pageant officials that I have seen interviewed have
given such shallow arguments for why this is *good* for girls. "They
are having fun" "The girls choose to do this" "The winner of our
pageant is a representative normal American child" - This makes me so
angry that I could scream. These officials and the parents of these
children should be ashamed of themselves.
First of all I truly think there is an important distinction
between these girls "having fun" and pleasing their parents.
Also, I don't think that a
3, 4, 5 or 6 year old (and older) can really make an informed
decision to *do this*. They have parental influence. Most of these
parents are living vicariously through their children.
Finally this is NOT (I repeat NOT!) an
example of a normal American child! This is a child that is being
made to look like an adult and act like an adult! It sickens me.
This month's Snarl is by Ann Allen:
No doubt you've all heard about the case of the 6 year
old child in Colorado - JonBenet Ramsey - that was found murdered and
sexually assaulted in her home. This child was a beauty pageant
winner - she was also a Kindergartener. Those two pictures just
don't fit in my mind!
Ann Allen runs Feminist Mothers
at Home and has previously written on that subject for the July, 1996 issue of
Grrowl!