What is Wrong with Beauty Pageants

Beauty pageants have been under scrutiny for various reasons across different cultural and individual perspectives. Critics argue that these events perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to societal issues that affect contestants and viewers alike.

Common Concerns with Beauty Pageants

Objectification

One of the primary criticisms of beauty pageants is that they objectify women and men by focusing solely on physical appearance. This narrow focus on appearance over intellect or ability devalues individuals and promotes a skewed ideal of beauty.

Unrealistic Beauty Standards

Beauty pageants often set unrealistic and narrow beauty standards, which can lead to body image issues and mental health problems. These standards perpetuate harmful ideals and contribute to dissatisfaction among participants and viewers who may feel pressured to conform.

Commercialization

The commercial nature of many beauty pageants can overshadow the personal development and empowerment of contestants. Instead of fostering growth, these events prioritize sponsorship and branding, often at the expense of meaningful contestant experiences.

Lack of Diversity

Historically, beauty pageants have faced criticism for their lack of diversity, particularly in terms of race, body types, and cultural representation. This exclusionary practice can perpetuate stereotypes and limit the definition of beauty, excluding many from the idea of what is considered beautiful.

Pressure and Competition

The competitive nature of pageants can create significant pressure on participants, leading to stress, anxiety, and unhealthy behaviors related to appearance and diet. The high stakes involved in these competitions can be detrimental to mental and physical health.

Gender Roles

Pagination can reinforce traditional gender roles by promoting the idea that women should be judged based on their looks and adherence to societal expectations of femininity. This perpetuates harmful stereotypes and limits the potential of contestants.

Limited Focus on Social Issues

While some pageants do include platforms for social issues, critics argue that the focus often remains on physical appearance rather than meaningful advocacy or social change. This approach can be seen as superficial and lacking in genuine impact.

The Same Thing is Wrong with College Applications, Too

College applications, much like beauty pageants, are often filled with an overabundance of accomplishments and achievements designed to impress admissions officers. Like pageants, many college applications involve padding and exaggeration, with students often exaggerating their accomplishments to stand out in a crowded field.

Resumé Padding

College applications often highlight irrelevant or superficial achievements to create a more impressive resume. Participation in numerous honor societies, service organizations, and clubs can appear impressive on paper but often have limited depth. For instance, earning an invitation to an honor society may require little more than passing a basic high school subject.

False Sense of Accomplishment

Many college applications include achievements that appear impressive but may be little more than symbolic or superficial. For example, being part of a Spanish honor society might look impressive, but it doesn't necessarily reflect meaningful or substantial achievements.

Selecting the Best Applicant

Admissions officers often go through dozens of applications filled with padding and superficial accomplishments, looking for the standout candidate. The best applicants are often those who have achieved significant things, such as winning a national merit scholarship, having a high GPA in certain fields, and demonstrating genuine talent and experience.

Pageantry vs. College Applications: A Comparative Analysis

Both pageants and college applications involve the presentation of a carefully curated personal history, goals, and accomplishments. However, the criteria for success in pageants is often much more rigid, focusing heavily on physical appearance, talent, and stage presence.

Focus on Physical Appearance

Unlike college applications, where a GPA and specialized skills can be effective, pageants rely heavily on physical appearance and talent. Contestants must have a certain level of talent (such as singing and dancing) and wear appropriate attire to succeed. This emphasis on physical appearance can be detrimental for contestants who don't have the resources for extensive training.

Real vs. Perceived Accomplishment

While college applications allow for a broader range of accomplishments and talents to be highlighted, pageants often fail to recognize true talents outside the realm of traditional beauty standards. Many pageant winners are fine arts majors but still have to maintain a high GPA to succeed in the competition.

After the Crown

After graduation, life changes. College graduates with fine arts degrees often find themselves in jobs that do not align with their degrees, indicating that the skills and accomplishments showcased in pageants do not always translate to professional success.

Lack of Professional Skills

Many former pageant winners end up in retail, managerial, or other low-paying jobs, having pursued a fine arts degree instead of a more practical one. This highlights the disparity between the skills and achievements that are valued in pageants and those that are needed in the real world of work.

Realizing Life Goals

Ultimately, the pursuit of a crown and academic achievements are two different paths. Pursuing a practical degree and career path leads to more tangible and sustainable success. As adults, former pageant contestants often recognize that their goals were unrealistic and seek new paths that align with their values and aspirations.

Conclusion

Beauty pageants and college applications are both mechanisms that can be used to showcase accomplishments and talents. However, the focus on physical appearance and narrow definitions of success can be detrimental. Instead, a more holistic and diverse approach to recognizing achievements and personal development is needed to ensure that individuals have the best paths to success in their chosen fields.