10 Interesting Beauty Pageant Pros and Cons Many young girls have the desire to enter pageants. It’s their dream to be named most beautiful and win prizes wearing a sparkling crown inspires lots of glamour and fantasy!
Beauty pageant contests have been held for decades and are still prevalent in many countries worldwide. Beauty pageants began in European Festivals held during medieval times. However, what we think of as modem day pageants were first held in America in 1854.
In the 1920s, beauty pageants in the United States began to influence society. The first Miss America crowning happened in 1921; contestant Margaret Gorman 16 years old, received $100 for winning. Miss America grew popular in the 1950s; other beauty pageants began to follow a yearly schedule. Miss World in 1951, Miss Universe began in 1952, along with the Miss USA competition. Miss International started in 1960. Miss Teen USA debuted in 1983; Miss Earth began in 2001.
Girls nowadays start at an early age they, are groomed to become future beauty queens. They join beauty competitions at schools or in their communities. It’s glamorous and fun, but there are contentious issues between proponents and opponents. To shed light on this matter, here are common advantages and disadvantages expressed by people on beauty competitions.
Pros of Beauty Pageant Contestants
1. Friendships and special bonds
Often many become lifelong friends despite the competitive nature of the event contestants will experience so many emotions in a short period and form quick but long-lasting bonds. When competing in beauty pageants, the contestants come together during the journey. Most competitors seek the experience offered at the moment and embrace different personalities. They become each other’s biggest supporters. Of course, there will always be those who compete only to win. More commonly, however, is to see people competing because of how it changes them and the rest of the world.
2. Tourism, local economic opportunities
Beauty pageants happen at the local, national, and international levels. These events bring people together who are passionate and proud of their people and individual countries. Beauty contests bridge gaps between cultures and societies with their mutual love of the pageant. It is an inspirational way to enjoy some healthy competition, promote good causes, and communities around the world to learn about one another.
Nationally or internationally, contests like these in a host city or community. Beauty pageants are held in great venues to showcase the place’s attractions.
People who are watching from their homes will be interested in discovering what the place has to offer them as tourists. Many families’ friends and supporters of the contestants will be there supporting them. Massive people travel by land or air from other cities and countries, which will always boost economies and tourism.
3. Motivation
Athletes in sports learn specific values like goal-setting and sportsmanship, but not everyone wants or can be athletic. Others may choose other interests. Beauty contests teach the same importance to girls who want to become beauty queens. They encourage young women and girls to have the ambition to dream of something and be good at it. Joining beauty pageants and competing prepares young individuals on the importance of preparedness and hard work to win.
4. Self confidence
One of the benefits of joining beauty pageants is learning about self-worth and building a healthy competitive spirit. Successful beauty pageants contestants must stay dedicated. Beauty is one element of this process. They must practice their public speaking skills, singing, dancing, unique talents, and answering random questions by the judges. Through this process, they learn to be courageous and vulnerable while expressing themselves with conviction. These skills build self-confidence, allowing them to conquer life’s challenges and preparing them for various occupations and industries.
5. Promote and encourage charitable work around the world
Contestants often promote their charitable causes when they’re active in the world of beauty pageants. Beauty pageant organizations and sponsors support charities and projects for the environment. Contestants learn through competition, volunteerism, and empathy. Pageants expose contestants to different communities, some hit by disasters or economically challenged. They become ambassadors of goodwill not only to help but also to inspire other people.
6. Job Opportunities for young people
Beauty contests also give young people a chance to find a career later in life.
Winning and competing in major competitions will open doors to modeling jobs, university scholarships, and apprenticeship opportunities await contestants.
In addition, several winners and contenders have built successful careers after joining beauty pageants. These fields are entertainment, modeling, brand ambassadors, and even politics.
Cons of Beauty Pageant contestants
7. Expensive
They can be expensive; joining these competitions requires paying for modeling courses, clothes, traveling, coaches, and other costs to prepare for pageants. Although there will likely be sponsorships at the highest levels, contestants still have out-of-pocket expenses at times. Starting in local competitions creates a cost for families that can total several thousand dollars per year, depending on events entered. In addition, there will be the makeup costs, gown expenses, and travel requirements when wanting to be competitive in modern beauty pageants. Sponsorships are unlikely when just beginning leaving some households struggling to keep up with the financial demands.
8. Beauty over talent
Those with a negative view of beauty pageants contend that it is more about physical and outer beauty than talent—girls primarily have been chosen concerning their physical beauty and body curvature, which begin during screening. However, there is no misunderstanding that these events are based mainly on society’s perceptions of beauty—creating a divide in society because the physical requirements of beauty pageants are not realistic to the average person. They also add that intelligence and talent, if judged, are only measured on the pageant night itself.
9. Adverse impacts on self-esteem
Focusing on the outward appearance, especially on girls, at an early age can negatively impact body image, self-esteem, and self-worth. Some girls struggle with self-identity issues after retiring from beauty pageant competitions. Unattainable desire to be perfect, there can be issues with body image that lead to eating disorders over time.
10. Require a lot of preparation time
Competing in a major beauty pageant, contestants who want to win will spend a year or more preparing for the event. Although anyone can theoretically enter a pageant without a lot of physical and emotional preparatory work, the chances of success are slim. This process can be a significant blow for people who want to get involved immediately without realizing the extent of the preparation involved.
Conclusion
In conclusion of beauty pageants pros and cons , opinions about beauty contests are seen differently depending on one’s perspective. Differences will always exist between supporters and critics. There is no doubt about the many benefits and positive values that beauty pageants can teach young girls and how they bring people worldwide together. While aware, competitions can hurt these young impressionable girls if they only focus on superficial beauty. Ultimately, it is the individual’s choice and responsibility of the family and pageant organizers to give moral support and guidance to these beauty queens.