Any upside to allowing my 8-year-old to compete in beauty pageants?

[youtalkfunny]

Just know going in: unlike most prospective 8-year-old beauty queens, this one isn't being pushed into it by her parents.

The school sent home an announcement for several pageants, and my 8-year-old wants in. She is a very pretty girl. She has an aunt who competed in (and won) many pageants. Aunt Cindy once took 3rd Runner Up in Miss Arkansas.

Neither Aunt Cindy nor Aunt Cindy's parents are pushing for this, either. It is entirely the kid's desire to do this.

My first reaction is to say no, these things are freak shows, and we should stay above such nonsense.

But who am I to stand in the way of my kid's dreams? Maybe she'll go on to win Miss America and become a big Hollywood movie star.

Of course that's not going to happen, but again, who am I to tell her to stop trying to be successful at something?

My question for The Lounge: Anybody have personal experience with these pageants? What's the upside? What's the downside?

TIA

[Stagger_Lee]

[ QUOTE ]
no, these things are freak shows, and we should stay above such nonsense

[/ QUOTE ]

[Ron Burgundy]

Ask her what she thinks about half of American kids not being able to locate the US on a map. Srsly do it plz.

[youtalkfunny]

UPDATE: Had a talk with young princess. Laid out my laundry list of concerns of things that can go wrong. Got way too long-winded, as usual (something that should surprise no one who's read most of my posts). I'm pretty sure I lost her attention about 1/3rd the way through.

I finished up with, "Just think about it, and we'll talk more later."

Later in the day, she told me that she no longer wished to pursue the matter. I asked what changed her mind, and she said that I had convinced her.

I don't know if she was consciously agreeing with me, or just saying what she thought I wanted to hear in an effort to please me. Either way, I'm cool with it.

[ QUOTE ]
Ask her what she thinks about half of American kids not being able to locate the US on a map. Srsly do it plz.

[/ QUOTE ]

ME: Studies show that 20% of Americans cannot find the United States on a map. Why do you think this is?

HER: (smiles, big shrug)

ME: No, "I dunno" won't get you out of this. You have to give me an answer. It's OK if you're not sure, just guess.

HER: Because they don't try?

ME: Good enough. Have a cigar!

[5thstreet]

Watch little miss sunshine

[Keyser.]

[ QUOTE ]
Watch little miss sunshine

[/ QUOTE ]

surprised this took so long to be brought up. Seriously do watch the movie, if for no other reason than it's really really good.

[n.s.]

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ME: Studies show that 20% of Americans cannot find the United States on a map. Why do you think this is?



[/ QUOTE ]

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HER: Because they don't try?

[/ QUOTE ]

Smart kid you got there. I'll bet that answer was better than any of the pagent contestants'.

[diebitter]

If she wants to, I'd let her and do whatever reasonable parents do to support their kids who want to do some etraciricular activity. Just keep an eye on it.

If it starts getting weird, pull her out by arranging diversionary entertainments. So if a pageant is on a weekend and you want it to stop, arrange a trip to an amusement park or whatever, anything to get her diverted without actually having to point blank refuse.

But obv if you have to point-blank refuse, then you must if you think it's for the best.

[BigPoppa]

[ QUOTE ]
But who am I to stand in the way of my kid's dreams? Maybe she'll go on to win Miss America and become a big Hollywood movie star.


[/ QUOTE ]

She could start competing 10 years from now and have about the same chance (maybe better, because of not being burned out).

It would be much, much better if she accomplished something not based on being judged by others on appearance. Too many really pretty girls grow up thinking that's all they really need in life. There's no reason to reinforce that belief.

Better that she learn to compete in ways that require more than just looks, be it athletics, grades, writing, music......

[MrWookie]

I'd check out some of the posts bye Belok in here:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...=6#Post11595726