Why Do We Still Need Beauty Pageants?
Posted on July 15, 2008
Filed Under Entertainment, Media, Women | Comments Off on Why Do We Still Need Beauty Pageants?
I was channel surfing Sunday night and stumbled upon The Miss Universe Pageant Live from Vietnam. I have always found these contests to be a bit degrading and sexist. Why do we still have them, and why did nearly a billion viewers tune in worldwide?
Already in progress, the hosts, Jerry Springer and Melanie Brown (Scary Spice) were introducing the eclectic panel of 9 judges, including Nadine Velasquez (actress), Roberto Cavalli (designer), Donald Trump Jr. (the owner’s son), Taryn Rose an odd lot to say the least. After the commercial break, it was on to the swimsuit competition.
Beauty contests revolve around a Western ideal of beauty and body norms. A pageantry of high slits, bathing suits, and stilettos that frequently send the contestants tumbling on their behinds which is exactly what happened to Miss USA, Crystle Stewart. Perfectly proportioned, slim and young, the new Miss Universe (Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza) will become a “role model” for girls all over the world. This coup should empower her and help her pursue her dreams. I logged into the Miss Universe site to check the titleholders page and see how this coveted crown enhanced their careers and lives. The majority of previous winner have gone on to acting, fashion or modeling gigs.
In 1968, a group of feminists went to Atlantic City to protest the Miss America pageant. About 150 feminists from six cities joined them to show how all women were hurt by beauty competitions. They argued that the contest declared that the most important thing about a woman is how she looks by parading women around like cattle to show off their physical attributes. I was disappointed to find out that there were numerous website this year where you could place a bet on the winning contestant, just like you would wager on a horse race or on a sporting event. Obviously these protests were not taken too seriously.
