A US-style child beauty pageant, allowing contestants as young as six months, has made its way to Perth, reigniting the ongoing debate surrounding their nature as either “child abuse” or innocent fun. The Glitz & Co pageant, featuring participants from infants to adults up to 38 years old, has sparked discussions on the potential dangers or benefits of such events.
Participants in the pageant, which is not open to the public, are assessed on their routines, technique, and attire while showcasing various outfits. The pageant permits elements such as spray tans, artificial nails, and airbrushed photos that give the participants a doll-like appearance. These aspects, while encouraged, are not mandatory.
Proponents of child beauty pageants argue that they can enhance children’s confidence and compare them to dance competitions, which often involve elaborate costumes and make-up. However, critics assert that these pageants may lead young girls to associate their worth solely with their appearance, potentially sexualizing them at an early age.
Director Michaella Evans emphasized that the pageant respects contestants’ comfort levels and discourages overly revealing attire. The contestant handbook underscores that participants are judged based on technique and attire, rather than physical appearance.
Illona Perovic, a parent whose 11-year-old daughter Lexi is participating in the event, believes that the pageants have positively impacted her daughter’s self-confidence and allowed her to contribute to charitable causes.
Conversely, prominent Australian adolescent psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg likens child beauty pageants to a form of “child abuse,” expressing concerns about the premature sexualization they might induce.
Jacqueline McGowan-Jones, WA Commissioner for Children and Young People, underscores the potential risks these pageants pose for young girls’ mental health and self-image.
While there is a call to discourage negative body image, opinions vary on the necessity of banning these pageants. Minister for Youth Simone McGurk highlights the importance of emphasizing that girls’ value extends beyond their appearance.
Child beauty pageants are well-established in the US and have stirred controversy, with the unsolved 1996 murder of contestant JonBenet Ramsay drawing attention to their potential pitfalls.
This current instance in Perth, known as Glitz & Co, incorporates various judging components and optional interview questions and photo submissions, with the possibility of airbrushing images to create a “glitz” effect.
The debate surrounding child beauty pageants remains multifaceted, with arguments hinging on whether they empower young participants or subject them to harmful pressures.
While these pageants continue to raise questions, the Glitz & Co pageant serves as a platform for individuals to discuss the implications and impact of such events on children’s well-being and self-perception.