Sociology & Tiaras

By Hilary Levey

Robert Wood Johnson Fellow in Health Policy

Every Wednesday night at 9 pm I sit down in front of the TV, put on TLC, pull out my notebook, and do research for two hours. Yes, that’s right—watching the pageant shows Toddlers & Tiaras and the new show, King of the Crown, is part of my research. Back in 1999, when I was a sophomore in college, I did a research paper on child beauty pageants for a required sociology class. Little did I know that a decade later I would still be writing about pageants, but now as a professional sociologist!

Ever since the murder of JonBenét Ramsey, Americans have been simultaneously fascinated and repulsed by child beauty pageants. Many people didn’t know about these events until the death of JonBenét, in late 1996, but I have found that child beauty pageants have existed in the United States in one form or another since the 1800s. The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries saw the growth and development of a variety of events that are precursors to the child beauty pageants of today, including May Day festivals, baby parades, and beautiful and healthy baby contests.

All of these festivals, parades, and contests started at about the same historical moment. Such child-centered contests were part of a larger movement that began to socially value children in new ways. It was during this time period, from roughly the 1870s to the 1930s, that child labor was eradicated, compulsory education began, and children came to be valued as “economically ‘worthless’ but emotionally ‘priceless,’” according to sociologist Viviana A. Zelizer.. This re-evaluation of childhood helped contribute to the development of distinct children’s spheres, like clothing designed especially for children (see Daniel Thomas Cook’s work on kids’ clothes).

The Asbury Park baby parade was arguably the most famous of the baby parades and contests that started at the turn of the twentieth century, rewarding children for their looks and their costumes. In its heyday, in 1893, it drew 30,000 spectators; in fact, it was so popular that Thomas Edison made one of his first movies of the event, on September 12, 1904.

As the popularity of parades and contests declined at the turn of the twentieth century, modern beauty pageants, for adult women, began to hit their stride. The first “live” beauty contest is said to have occurred in Reheboth Beach, Delaware in 1880. After that, pageants began springing up at carnivals and fairs and on beaches along both coasts, with pageants available for every age and body type.

The most famous, successful, and enduring of all of these is the Miss America Pageant , founded by a group of Atlantic City businessmen in 1921. These men wanted to keep visitors on the shore after Labor Day, the traditional end of the summer season, so they came up with the idea of a bathing beauty contest. They held the first Miss America contest on September 6, 1921 (though it didn’t come to be known by that name until 1941) with only seven “bathing beauties.” By the next year there were 57 contestants, and from there the Pageant continued to grow.

After the Miss America Pageant first appeared on television in 1954—breaking all previous viewing records with twenty seven million viewers—child pageants as we know them today started to develop in the void left by the closure of the parades and contests (which was mainly because of fears of polio in the 1950s). If you’ve seen Little Miss Sunshine, then you have a pretty good idea of how these pageants work.

One the biggest questions the public usually has after watching Little Miss Sunshine or one of the TLC shows is: Why do people, almost always mothers, put their little kids in these pageants? I’ve given you a bit of historical background, but I want to suggest a few explanations from other academic disciplines, before turning to my sociological analysis. Psychological explanations usually draw on the idea that many parents vicariously live through their children. Pageant moms are looking for self-affirmation when they are told their child is beautiful; they may be frustrated with their own lives and appearances and push their daughters to succeed in ways that they have not.

Economists focus more on the investment these moms are making in their children. Here the idea is that someday, their children will grow up to be successful (perhaps related to their participation in these events), and they will then have more resources to take care of the parents when they are elderly. Or, for some families, the pageants provide the possibility of a financial windfall. For example, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears both did child beauty pageants. On a smaller fame-scale, some pageant contestants can earn money in other ways. Remember the cringe-worthy final answer of Miss South Carolina Teen a few years ago?

Caitlin has now parlayed that “answer” into TV appearances, highlighted on TLC’s King of the Crown, and a recent commercial. Other pageant contestants use the scholarship money awarded to pageant winners. For all its faults, some of which I write about here, the Miss America Pageant remains the largest source of college scholarship money for women in the world.

And this leads me to part of my sociological analysis of why mothers enroll their very young daughters in child beauty pageants, like those shown on TLC’s Toddlers & Tiaras (for a more complete analysis of participation in child beauty pageants, check out a paper I recently published in the journal Childhood). The majority of the pageant moms I met explain that they have their children involved to help ensure that they will be successful later in life.

One pageant mom explains, “I just want to see my daughters go somewhere—go somewhere in life. I didn’t. I ended up having kids right away. I’m stuck at home now. I’m doing this for them.” The idea that pageants can teach children specific skills that will help girls be successful was brought up literally hundreds of times in interviews with pageant mothers. There are eight major skills mentioned by moms (in decreasing order of frequency): learning confidence, learning to be comfortable on stage and in front of strangers, learning poise, learning how to present the self and dress appropriately, learning to practice, learning good sportsmanship, learning how to be more outgoing, and learning to listen. Of course, these are lessons and skills the moms want their children to learn and the children may not actually be learning them…But that’s a subject for another blog entry!

What do you think—can you think of other sociological explanations that explain participation in child beauty pageants? What might some “big name” sociological theorists, like Pierre Bourdieu and Thorstein Veblen, offer as explanations? Have you ever thought about doing a beauty pageant, perhaps even to help cover the costs of college?

Comments

[Maryellen R. Ackroyd]

Hey Hilary! As many times as I wanted to put Megan in a pageant, I just couldn't. I didn't want her viewed as "a piece of meat" or "cute little girl" who was doing things beyond her years. I am so impressed that you are researching this area of childhood for young girls. The moms that are doing this to their children should really ask themselves, "Why?". They can learn all the skills you mentioned in different activities that children do during their childhood! They can also learn them in SCHOOL. Why didn't your mother put you in any pageants when you were younger? I didn't want Megan growing up thinking being cute or beautiful was the way to "make it in life". I told her that beauty comes from the inside of someone and not the way they look. Someone can be the most beautiful person on the outside, but inside can be a mean, cruel, nasty person and not happy with themself. Way to go, Hilary on your research. Keep up the great work!! I wanted a daughter who was confident in herself and believed in herself. I think her dad and I did a great job.

[Alexis D.]

Hello Hilary :) As a child I did want to participate in pageants because I liked the idea of dressing up and possibly winning a crown. I do watch toddlers&tiaras and I think the pageants give the children a sense of confidence and teach them that you should always try your best. However I don’t like the pushy parents that suck the fun out of the pageants. I would even participate in a pageant to pay for college. The media also encourages the participation of young children in beauty pageants. Shows like America's Next Model glamorize dressing up and putting on makeup which is something they do in beauty pageants. The media also portrays beauty queens as beautiful women with picture perfect smiles. And what little girl wouldn’t want to be a part of that? I believe that beauty pageants could have a positive effect on children by teaching them to speak eloquently and by building confidence

[Mishelle Calvert]

I really enjoy this website. It discuss current events and real life issuess. It helps me to understand the situations that occurs when I'm watching what's in the media. individual's can learn from the various topics of discussions in regards to situations at home or in their communities. I would like to thank my wonderful Professor Dr. Wilder for directing me to this particular website. This is something I can continue to use after graduation.
Thanks Dr. Wilder.

[Alexis G.]

Personally I have participated in a pageant. I was in my high schools pageant and I honestly can not tell you why I tried it, I just did. I am glad that I did though. I learned so many new things by participating. I learned proper table etiquette, how to speak properly with elegance, how to walk properly, stand and sit properly, how to be successful in interviews, and confidence among other things. I gained new friends, people of whom I probably would have never associated with before the pageant and I learned to have more confidence in myself. I even learned how to properly put on makeup (without caking it on and looking unnatural).

There are superficial things associated with pageants, but there is so much more that many do not understand until they have participated. I use to be one of those people that thought pageants were ridiculous and I still do think that "Beauty Pageants" are. I do not believe that children, or even adults should be judged on their "beauty" because beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it is what is on the inside that counts. With that said, child "beauty pageants" are not a good way for these parents to be "teaching their children," however if there is a pageant that is not beauty based then I am all for including children in the experience.

I think that many parents do get their children into pageants young because they believe it will help them gain new skills at a young age, setting them up to be more successful in life later. Although like I said, a "beauty pageant" is not the way to go, especially for young and impressionable minds. No little child should be wearing makeup and especially not to impress judges.

[Ada Janowicz]

I believe that there are many reasons why mothers put their daughters or sons in beauty pageants. First, we have the standard; "I feel like I am nothing but I will pretend i am the greatest and my daughter will prove it by winning the pageant, it’s all about me me me!” Unfortunately there are many mothers out there who have this kind of attitude and I am afraid that their daughters will not learn anything good from the contests. Then we have the so called "obsessed" mothers, who truly believe that their children are the most amazing, fantastic, beautiful creatures that have ever walked on this earth, the problem begins when a child develops a personality...Often times the little girls who were forced by their mothers to compete in those shows end up "hating" their moms and spend most of their lives constantly looking for approval and recognition from others. Finally, there are a few moms out there who will let their daughters participate in the beauty contests simply to show them such aspect of life, their main goal is to teach their children, not benefit themselves. Such moms also take their children to soccer lessons, foreign language classes and sub kitchens

[ashten]

I don't believe that beauty pageants are a bad idea, if it is what the child decides SHE wants to do it. There are many things you can learn from a pageant, an important one being confidence. However, on the show, like you mentioned, the moms are too crazy and way too pushy. I believe that this has a counter effect on the pageant, such as losing confidence in themselves with the pushy moms. Also parents that force their children to do things, make the activity no longer fun and enjoyable for the kids.

[Emily Favreau]

Hello Hilary.
I think that beauty pageants can be beneficial, but in turn, become obsessive and blown out of proportion. I believe that the pageants can help a childs self esteem and confidence levels immensely. However, if the parent is unhealthily pushy and obsessive instead of being purely supportive, then that behavior can be passed to the child. This can make him/her more intent upon their own looks or performance instead of just having fun like a kid should!

Emily Favreau

[Andrea]

I have a little sister who is six and I would not bring myself to terms if my mother would ever consider of enrolling her in a beauty contest. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching Toddlers & Tiaras, and it is fascinating, but when I think about putting heaps of make-up on her, 2 coats of a fake tan, fake teeth and loads of hairspray on my sister, to me it seems that I am saying, “yes you are beautiful, but you need all of this to be beautiful in their eyes.” No wonder girls today have low self-esteem? No wonder women think they should be thin, and flawless? No wonder women are seen more as a prop than a human? We have been taught to look and act perfect all our lives. And learning at such an early age. It is dehumanizing. Adding in prancing on stage like a sack of meat while mothers look on with dollar signs on their eyes. I honestly don’t believe putting a child in beauty pageants is such a great idea to mend a perfect child.

[Taylor]

These pageants are another example of a society institution that merely feeds into the gender roles of society. These shows have girls "dolled-up" and in their best dress, dancing on stage and singing which feeds into the set gender roles that roughly state "a girl should be delicate and caring" what about the girls who are not delicate or caring? I agree that these shows impact "normal" society in the sense that it portrays these girls and their mind set that they need to be beautiful and thin to go win. P agents reinforce the gender roles implemented by society and they also negatively impact society's views of an ideal woman.

[Kirstin]

I personally do not agree with child beauty pageants. At such a young age, these girls are being forced how to look and speak in front of the judges which gives them the wrong impression of how a normal child should act. Parents say participating in the pageants gives their child confidence and a good learning experience, but if you want that for your child they should get it from a nurturing environment like School. Teaching girls that being beautiful with loads of make up on with teased hair is the definition of what it means to be an acceptable and pretty girl. They do not learn to love themselves, they learn the opposite. At such a young age they are being picked poked at for every imperfection, when they should be supported and experience a normal childhood.

[Allison Celauro]

I, too, watch Toddlers & Tiaras and King of the Crown. I watch them not as a pageant lover, but as someone in complete astonishment. I never get tired of watching this circus.
Everytime I watch Toddlers & Tiaras, I find myself with my mouth wide open and my head constantly shaking. It is disgusting to me that mothers push their daughters into wearing pounds of make-up, and take out loans to buy the gaudiest dress in a shop. What happened to teaching children that they are "beautiful they way they are"?
I agree that most of these mothers put their daughters in pageants to "show them off" they way they never were. As a performance dancer, I understand the concept of flashy costumes and stage make-up. But I also understand the idea of a PERFORMANCE. I feel pageant children are being taught that the skills (eyebrow-waxing and fake-tanning) they learn in modern "glitz" pageants are real-life skills. This just is not so.
Self-pride and confidence are wonderful; but these children should be taught to take pride in themSELVES, and not in a pre-packaged appearance.

[Lee Hagenbaumer]

I think the statement that Hilary makes saying that these mothers that enroll their daughters in these pagents are really trying to live the life they couldn't through their kids. We are all socialized to want to be better then those before us and I think all parents want their kids to succeed to a greater extent then they did. In my opinion these pagents are just reaffirming this notion of what beauty is in our society. It shows these girls from an extremely young age that if they don't look or present themselves in a certain way that they aren't beautiful.
This then also reinforces the inequlity in gender a class status

[Yani]

Hi, Hilary!
I'm a senior in high school and my teachers have decided to experiment with the senior class and have them do an Independent Senior Project or affectionately called (ISP) for graduation. You know, the typical "if you don't do well, you won't graduate" threat and coincidentally I'm doing my project on beauty pageants. I was wondering if you could help me in completing my project.. you don't have to!
But.. it would be great to talk with someone that has experience in the sociology field.. and since you did a research paper on it too, I was wondering if you have any pointers for me.

Thanks in advance

[William Harris]

These pageants are good in theory to empower young women into strong independent adults, but more often than none that ideal is lost in physical appearances and greed. With movies like Little Miss Sunshine, Miss Congeniality, and even Bruno you can see these pageants just dumb down our society. In Bruno when Sasha Baren Cohen asks mothers if they are willing to put their kids in mini Nazi suits and as Roman soldiers crucifying Christ. These mothers will do anything to gain some spotlight back on their 40/50 year old selves.

[JR Tillett]

I believe that beauty pageants are a good way for young individuals to learn life skills and help them to grow along the way. If pagenats strayed away from the over bearing nature of putting an image of what a pageant model should look like in the heads of young adults it would be great, but they dont. Many parents today have created "barbie replicas" of their little girls. I recently saw a girl under the age of ten whose mother had the dentist install fake teeth on her own child. The extents the mothers go to for a win in a pageant isn't worth thew childs constant suffering.

[Kelly]

I agree with William that pageants can help to mature and stregthen women, but quite often they do a lot more harm than good. I do not agree with young children in beauty pageants because as others have said, it teaches them that they have to put on make-up and change their bodies into something that they were never meant to be in order to look beautiful. It's sad to see the children being pushed by their parents so hard, and it seems to me that a lot of the mothers are living vicariously through these young girls. Unfortunately, it caould lead them down a path of distruction, beacause they grow up with a mindset that they are constantly performing and seeking praise, sometimes going too far to get it. Our society places so much emphasis on "bought" beauty, and that that is the only acceptable way to be. It's a constant struggle. That could be a reason that mothers do put their daughters in these pageants, so they can secure their childs future of being accepted...

[Mylene Matthews]

I agree of not taking pictures of a dead body of a person. I do not care how good you are on photography. We still have to pay a respect to our love ones.

[deadale]

i think there is anything wrong with taking pictures of a dead body, if the reason is good..
well, that is just me..

[deadale]

i dont think there is anything wrong with taking pictures of a dead body, if the reason is good..
well, that is just me..

[Christie]

Little girls in beauty pageants has its pros and cons just like everything else. But when I watch the shows like that and see what these babies go through from thier mothers it makes me sick. (I would just like to say that not ALL the mothers act this way). These children are not learning life skills, they are learning how to keep in place the system of inequality for women. It shows these girls that looks are how you are successful in life instead of using your brain!

[Brittany Posey]

I will say I am guilty of watching the beauty pageant shows on TV. I have watched them since I was little and something about them has always interested me. Personally I have never participated in a pageant, but I believe that they can be good in some situations. The pageants that offer scholarships can be very beneficial because in the end they have a purpose other than judging girls on their beauty. Mothers that put thier babies and little children in these pageants have to be careful that they are not sending thier children the wrong messege that beauty is the only thing that is important.

[lauren]

Having a little girl in a beauty pageant has its pros and cons. There are many things a child can learn from a pageant just like there are things a child can learn from being on a team or from playing sports. I did particapte in a pageant as a child because i liked getting all dressed up.I do not believe that my mother forced me into it or was living vicariously through me, in fact my mother was not very interested in the pageant but supported me a 100 percent with my decision to particapte. I also think that they are not sending the message that beauty is the most important thing, many of these pageants have a very serious interview process, thses pageant require you to be smart and a well rounded person.

[Felicia]

I have watched the beauty pageant shows on television and would have to say that I am constantly asking myself why would a mother put her child through such a thing? Of course there are some positive life skills that their child can learn as mentioned in the blog but the negative out ways them. From being entered into these pageants at such a young age girls and boys learn that outer appearances are far more important than the inside. Being dolled up with heavy makeup, outfits that cost in the thousands, and being forced to stand on the stage while judges critique your every move is very heart wrenching. Children should not be taught that you have to change your outer appearance in order to fit into society they should be taught that they are beautiful just the way that they are. The money that parents put into the pageants could be used toward their college education instead.

[Marvin]

Is it so terrible for a child to be beautiful? If a child had other attributes that set him/her above other children then that skill or whatever it may be would most likely be exploited. A good example of this is Tiger Woods. He was pushed by his father to play every day and now look at what he has become. I see nothing wrong with beauty pagents. And what of the expression "love at first sight!" This is saying that that individual saw looks before personality and so many couples use this as the basis for their relationship.

[Ashley]

I agree that mothers who put their daughters in child beauty pageants are trying to live vicariously through their child. Although that child might learn some life skills, I think it raises them to have a false sense of reality. I believe that it teaches young girls that looks are the most important thing in life. These pageants, parades and the people that participate in them are part of the reason that we view women as sex objects and why people are always judging women on their outer beauty. Honestly, it is disgusting to me those mothers put their daughters in these competitions and basically teach their daughters that they are not naturally beautiful. It’s appalling that these girls are placed on stage after getting their eyebrows waxed, fake tans, and pounds of make up on, just to be ridiculed by a room full of people and judges. I think that children should be taught about inner beauty and not feel like they need to change their outer appearance to impress their mothers or anyone else for that matter. I think mothers need to grow up and stop parading their daughters around town like a trophy. They need to find pride in their own life and not in their daughter’s looks. I have never thought about participating in beauty pageants and I’m glad I wasn’t raised in a family that believes in it. I believe in working hard in school and/or sports and getting a scholarship based on those attributes alone.