Gone Too Far?
by Teena Thomas
The stars of reality TV have gotten younger and younger with time. The ages of these children usually range from just a couple of months to early adolescence. However, age hasn’t hindered these kids from performing.
For years, Jon and Kate plus Eight rose as one of the most popular reality shows until others unveiled. One such show is Toddlers and Tiaras, where children from ages two to ten compete in
beauty contests. United by the pounds of makeup, hair extensions, teased hairstyles, bottles of hairspray, and costumes, these girls all have the same goals: to win the prize money and the tiara.
Nevertheless, these girls aren’t the only ones to blame for entering the world of fame and stardom. The mothers of the participants are usually the ones who play the major role. They are the ones to fill in the applications, pay the fee, purchase the dresses, plan out the performances, and determine what hair and makeup their daughters will wear. Their job also requires consistent planning and training, and if needed, they will hire trainers. In short, they will do whatever it takes to present their children as the charm of the show and win at all costs.
The question is, why do they go through such trouble all just for one tiara and momentary fame? “I think that the parents are trying to live vicariously through their children. Usually, it’s not the kid’s choice to do it. They are forced to do it,” said freshman Morgan Roth. Typically, the mothers themselves claim that they enter their kids in these pageants, “Because she likes it” or “Because I used to participate in such contests myself.”
Past records have indicated that young children are negatively influenced once they are put out into the spotlights. One obvious reason is the importance of physical beauty that resonates as a major factor in their lives going forward. These thoughts can lead them to develop eating disorders, fail tests and classes in school, as well as simply pay too much attention to their looks.
“I appreciate that they want to do something to perform, but the mothers are to controlling, and they turn it into something not fun and kid-appropriate,” said freshman Kaajal Ahuja.
Once out on the stage in front of the crowd and judges, the contestants wear a smile and display a cute face, but behind closed doors, they scream, cry, throw tantrums, and even boss their own mothers around.
“I think that it’s amazing to watch but the kids are becoming spoiled and fake due to their parent’s expectations,” said freshman Cassandra Kurtin. “I’ve seen some clips and it’s really funny to see them, but it’s disturbing and sad to see these five year olds really spoiled,” added freshman Ashley Willoughby.
Despite a show made simply for our entertainment, one can only hope that the attention and fame that comes with the spotlight doesn’t corrupt the innocence of these young girls.
The stars of reality TV have gotten younger and younger with time. The ages of these children usually range from just a couple of months to early adolescence. However, age hasn’t hindered these kids from performing.
For years, Jon and Kate plus Eight rose as one of the most popular reality shows until others unveiled. One such show is Toddlers and Tiaras, where children from ages two to ten compete in
beauty contests. United by the pounds of makeup, hair extensions, teased hairstyles, bottles of hairspray, and costumes, these girls all have the same goals: to win the prize money and the tiara.
Nevertheless, these girls aren’t the only ones to blame for entering the world of fame and stardom. The mothers of the participants are usually the ones who play the major role. They are the ones to fill in the applications, pay the fee, purchase the dresses, plan out the performances, and determine what hair and makeup their daughters will wear. Their job also requires consistent planning and training, and if needed, they will hire trainers. In short, they will do whatever it takes to present their children as the charm of the show and win at all costs.
The question is, why do they go through such trouble all just for one tiara and momentary fame? “I think that the parents are trying to live vicariously through their children. Usually, it’s not the kid’s choice to do it. They are forced to do it,” said freshman Morgan Roth. Typically, the mothers themselves claim that they enter their kids in these pageants, “Because she likes it” or “Because I used to participate in such contests myself.”
Past records have indicated that young children are negatively influenced once they are put out into the spotlights. One obvious reason is the importance of physical beauty that resonates as a major factor in their lives going forward. These thoughts can lead them to develop eating disorders, fail tests and classes in school, as well as simply pay too much attention to their looks.
“I appreciate that they want to do something to perform, but the mothers are to controlling, and they turn it into something not fun and kid-appropriate,” said freshman Kaajal Ahuja.
Once out on the stage in front of the crowd and judges, the contestants wear a smile and display a cute face, but behind closed doors, they scream, cry, throw tantrums, and even boss their own mothers around.
“I think that it’s amazing to watch but the kids are becoming spoiled and fake due to their parent’s expectations,” said freshman Cassandra Kurtin. “I’ve seen some clips and it’s really funny to see them, but it’s disturbing and sad to see these five year olds really spoiled,” added freshman Ashley Willoughby.
Despite a show made simply for our entertainment, one can only hope that the attention and fame that comes with the spotlight doesn’t corrupt the innocence of these young girls.
