The Daily Delegate

By: Caroline Harner

Forum Media

Child beauty pageants have been a topic of controversy, with many concerns growing about their impact on young participants. Recent news stories and articles have highlighted the negative effects of these pageants on children’s mental health and self-image, fueling a call for a ban on participation for those under the age of 13 years old. There have been many mental health concerns documented on instances where the intense pressure and scrutiny on children have been associated with beauty pageants. Female children as young as 5 or 6 are exposed to an environment that emphasizes physical appearance, depression, potential anxiety, and negative body image issues later in life. The unrealistic beauty standards and hurtful impact on self image are created at these pageants because of the emphasis on physical appearance, rather than individual talent. It is essential to prioritize the well-being and positive developement of children over superficial competitions, creating an ensurement that encourages healthy self esteem. As the discussion around child beauty pageants continue to evolve, the evidence highlighting their negative impact rallies the ban tor participants under the age of 13.