Toddlers & TIARASToddles & Tiaras is a show that shows on TLC. TLC cameramen follow around a few child beauty pageant contestants as they prepare and compete in pageants.
This show includes: “Helicopter moms who are clearly living out their lost dreams and crippling insecurities through their daughters’ lives.” “Thick Southern accents, frequent tantrums and copious amounts of “special juice” (some say it’s Mountain Dew, others alcohol) and Pixie Stix (which provides toddlers with the extra energy boost they need for pageants.” “Toddlers acting and being treated (and objectified) like women.” |
This show is proof that children are being sexualized at younger and younger ages. There have been so many outrageous things done on this show that shows that beauty pageants for little girls aren’t something to be proud of. The girls are wearing sexy outfits, doing provocative dance routines, and having flirty personalities.
The girls are growing up desiring an unattainable standard of beauty. They’re put in inappropriate clothing showing off most of their skin, spray tanned, given fake teeth that are perfect, and are often given high-energy drinks. These high-energy drinks make their diets very unhealthy. When these kids don’t win, it makes them feel as if they’re not good enough. This damages their self-esteem. They begin to develop a false sense of identity and self-esteem. Children should not be competing in beauty pageants that make them look like something they’re not. This is child exploitation. According to Mark Sichel, a New York-based licensed clinical social worker, he says, "'Little girls are supposed to play with dolls, not be dolls.' He also adds that the extremes parents go to in order to prepare their children for competition - using padding, fake hair, flippers (faux teeth) and spray tans - 'causes the children tremendous confusion, wondering why they are not okay without those things." |