Thursday, October 18, 2012
Toddlers and Tiaras
I was sitting home one evening after a long day of class and turned on the TV. I was flipping through the channels just to see what was on. My roommates wanted me to stop at the TLC show Toddlers and Tiaras. Sure it is an entertaining show but what those mothers put their children through is rediculous. Yes my mother put me in dance classes and bought us very girly outfits for the recitals but never to the extent where we would be forced to do so. These young girls are being raised to think that it is okay to spend all of this money and fancy dresses and practice rooms and all the other stuff that goes along with pageants. They are cutting money else where such as food. Some parents are resorting to extreme couponing just to get by since most if not all of their money is going to pagaents. Another thing I noticed watching the episode of Toddlers and Tiaras is that there are VERY few if any male toddlers who participate. The only male toddlers I have seen in the pagaents all have sisters who are participating in the same pagaents. Why is it that society made it "uncomfortable" and "too girly" for guys to compete. They are not showing their girly side whatsoever because they are wearing tuxedos and doing manly talents. Some of the parents who were witnessing the male toddlers perform had a look of disgust on their face. This is just wrong and it makes me mad. In the future, if my son wants to perform in a pagaent, I will let him. If he wants to play sports like football or hockey, I will let him. Whatever will make my child happy will make me happy. Same goes for if I have a daughter. If she wants to be in pagaents, then go for it. If she wants to play sports, she can go ahead and do that.
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It would be really interesting for someone to make a documentary and follow some of those toddlers around for a few years. I don't think it is far for those little boys to be placed in such a tiny box of does and don'ts. But, I do love extreme couponing, I think it is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteMy issue with Toddlers and Tiaras is based on the fact that looks are so highly pressed upon. I agree that if my daughter loves pageants and wants to do them, I would completely support her but I would be sure to make it clear that her looks are not the most important part of who she is. Like Professor Rensing said, pageants are, essentially, who performs society's version of femininity best. I would encourage my daughter to push that box as well while entering pageants. If she wants to do something less feminine while in the pageant, I will tell her to go for it!
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