So, this blog has been pretty much about things that I don't like and think could be improved, and my views on current things in the media. If you've made reading this far, well done!! I wouldn't have thought anyone would be able to stand my ramblings for more than a couple of blogs so you are doing REALLY well.
After this one, my blogs will probably become (at least) less frequent. I know that you are either deeply saddened or extremely happy with this news (although, if you don't like this blog, why are you still reading it???). But please don't leave right now! I'd love you to keep reading anything I write and to finish reading this blog! :) OK, so, onto the good stuff :)
They other day, my friend told me about an American program called Toddlers & Tiaras. I don't think it takes to much of a genius to work out what the program might be about. I looked it up on YouTube and watched a couple of episodes. The program usually follows 3 American girls aged between about 4 and 10 in the lead up to their pageants. (Pageant: a beauty contest)
It is extremely funny as well as being a bit sad and ridiculous at the same time.
I found it quiet funny, seeing the dotting mothers (and the occasional "Pageant Dad") stressing over thousand dollar dresses, make up and..... fake tan. There was even one mother who was shaving her 7 year old's legs!! Also, some of the little girls were just ridiculous. Seeing it from the outside, it was easy for me to see the funny side.
I also see the sad side. Girls as young as 1 and a half were being dressed up and paraded. Being taught that beauty is what will get them ahead in life. Mothers were telling there girls things like "It hurts to be beautiful".
I think this is utterly ridiculous and it's a terrible message to be sending to young girls. Especially because to be able to "compete" in the pageant, they need to have the tan, make up, hair, flipper (fake teeth) and expensive clothes. I really don't think that this is a great thing to do to a girl who should really be outside playing Barbies in the sand pit or something.
I'm really glad that we don't really see things like this in Australia. It's not very appropriate for young girls and it could dent the self-esteem of many girls. The show mostly focused on successful girls but there would be many girls out there who would've given up with low self confidence as a result of never being "good enough" or "rich enough" to win anything.
When I was young, I never worried about make up or hair styles and I'd never heard of fake tan. Why should anyone else's childhood be any different?
No comments:
Post a Comment