Are beauty pageants demeaning to women?

No I do not think so. Nobody forces the girls to participate.

If they enjoy taking part and are attractive I think it is entirely up to them.

Sure they are. I know that grown women make their own choices to compete, but they affect the rest of us, too. Like most fashion magazines, they promote an ideal that most women cannot achieve. They are judged and awarded for their beauty, which should never be a factor of someone's worth or self worth. It is hard to teach our daughters that looks are not important and to except themselves with all the information overload of superficial appearance. My daughter is very pretty, and I try so hard to impress upon her that intelligence and compassion are far more important than a pretty face or nice body, but I find myself constantly trying to find ways to make myself look better. I know this is sending mixed signals, but it is a product of our narcissistic society.

I think they are. There is no-compareable competition in England and I believe the general view in England is that they are simply competitions for demeaning and bulling woman.

I can't say I find beauty pageants demeaning, but I object to the whole beauty pagaent values that to be valued a woman has to be fit a very narrow ideal of beauty. I'd be a lot more comfortable with them if there were comparable conmpetitions for men and that they were just taken as lighthearted fun.

Not women in particular, just the people who are in them and anyone who ejoys watching them.

Only if you take them too seriously. If both viewers and participants see them for what they are- a bit of innocent fun, and not a serious assessment of a woman's innate worth - then they're harmless.

I think it's a bit redundant to argue that men ogling pretty women is "demeaning" - they're hardly going to stop it any time soon and why should they?

It's only demeaning because there are no male beauty pagents. If both existed and were promoted equaly, then it's not demeaning, it's just superficial.

I don't think the women who participate in them feel they are demeaning when the winners are awarded tuition, contracts, cars, and a year of being able to act as an ambassador of goodwill to other similarly minded young women. And to those who think looks are "not important", try interviewing for a job in dirty clothes and uncombed hair. Looks are important in our society and having a certain pride in one's appearance is nothing to be ashamed of.

Absolutely not! They totally build self-confidence. I was a beauty pageant contest from the age of 14 onwards and it was the best experience of my life! I had so much fun bonding with the other girls. Beauty pageant contestants are completely misunderstood! Hollah!

NO if they want to do it i dont see the problem.

..well, i dont find beauty pageants demeaning. it is just one of the fun way for women to showcase their looks and capbilities. after all, it is their decision. i believe that what could make a woman happy is never a demeaning thing.

Not at all. I am a girl so I'll tell you that nobody is forcing girls to participate. Everyone of course is entitled to their opinion but here's mine. Girls have the right to feel pretty and show off their looks. Girls who think beauty p's are sexist, they can think that. I think they're ok but I won't argue with you.

no i have been in one a many it is acctually pretty fun crushing other girls

I do not believe they are. I am in the process of organizing a local competition for Senior Beauty of 2008.

no!...(nothing else needed)

I say no because the women are not forced on the stage to perform them. If you were grabbed off the street and forced at gunpoint to put a bikini on and parade on the stage, that would be demeaning. Anything you voluntarily do cannot truly be considered demeaning to you, in my mind.

No, nobody is forced to enter the competition, they are all there of their own free will. If you don't like it, don't enter it or watch it.
Harmless fun if you are into that sort of thing. Personally I find them boring.

I think they have passed their use-by date.

No. Thats their choice,but for little girls and boys I think its demeaning!

Perhaps. They definitely objectify women. Like Hollywood, magazines and other media. They teach society that women are things to be looked at and compared to others, I suppose.

Only demeaning to women when they get so involved in themselves.

After giving it some thought, I can understand why you ask this question. I don't think it's demeaning but when a certain woman is pick from 20 or 50. The other may think that they're not beautiful when they are. I myself don't get into pageants but I do however see pics of certain women and when they ask for opinions, I always give possitive and honest opinions.

I would say if anything beauty pageants set a low standard for woman and inspire a certain level of conformity. All in all they're boring, generic and ugly. Let them eat cake!

No...they show the beauty of women with a purpose...

I don't think it's the pageants that are demeaning, but rather the contestants.

No but I do find Child Beauty pageants disturbing,it's only encouraging petophillia(excuse typos)

women r JEALOUS JEALOUS JEALOUS. go and complain 2 the contestants, don't waste my time.