Kathryn Merrill

Persuasion Speech
Child Beauty Pageants
General Purpose: To persuade
Specific Purpose: To persuade my audience that child pageants can have negative effects on their
children and to pursue other recreational activities for them.
I. (Attention step): Introduction
A. Attention: In 2009, the world was introduced to the secret lives of child beauty
pageant stars through a television show called “Toddlers and Tiaras”. Amongst
the sea of pink glitter and ruffles, many had mixed feelings towards the idea of
showcasing children and deeming one of them more “beautiful and talented” than
the rest.
B. For those of you who don’t know, child beauty pageants are often graded on a few
different categories, most of which include beauty, talent, outfit of choice (a
themes outfit according to the theme of the pageant). Other categories include
photogenic-ness, evening wear or casual wear.
C. Central Theme: Child beauty pageants can have many negative effects on young
girls and should not be encouraged as a recreational activity or hobby.
D. Preview of Points: Today, I would like to inform you on the negative impacts that
beauty pageants can have on young girls. Then, I would like to show you how
other activities and hobbies can have positive mental effects on children. Finally, I
would like to show you other, more positive hobbies and activities you can
involve your child in.
E. Credibility: When I had first become informed about child beauty pageants, I
didn’t think much of it. Now that I have nieces, I can’t help but think about what
kind of future I’d like to help them grow into and the women I’d like them to
become. My thoughts on child pageants have developed greatly over the course of
time based off research as well as talking to friends who have grown up in the
pageant rings.
(Transition: Let me begin with an article by Alexis Blue from a newspaper in the Journal of the
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry called “Process by Proxy: When Child
Beauty Pageants Aren’t About the Kids”).
Body
II. (Need) The beauty pageant community has grown exponentially over the last few
decades. Along with this, the problems have grown. Due to the high expectations
imposed on such young children, many experience emotional and mental problems
moving forward. In addition, often the pageants become more about the wants of the
parents and less about the genuine desires and emotional needs of the children.
 A. According to Martina M. Cartwright, a registered dietician and adjunct professor
at the University of Arizona, “achievement by proxy distortion” occurs when
parents have difficulty in differentiating their own needs and their child’s needs.
Because of this, they may engage in risky behaviors, objectification, or even
abuse and exploitation of their children which can include forcing their daughter
into unnecessary spray tanning, botox injections, fake teeth, long hours of
“training” without proper rest, and much more. Some parents even go as far as to
take risky financial investments in order to support this elaborate hobby.
B. Some parents even go as far as to spend more than the cost of the top prize. After
sitting in on multiple live recordings of the infamous show “Toddlers and Tiaras”,
Cartwright further explains how she witnessed parents putting extreme amounts
of pressure (mind you on girls who are as young as a few years old) on their
daughters to look perfect and to win at all cost. These pressures push their
daughters towards unnatural and adult-like appearances and chastised them for
poor performance and lack of enthusiasm.
C. As quoted by Cartwright “Everything was based on what these kids look like and
the way that these children were displayed or dressed. They were judged on
personality, but none spoke a word.”.
D. This attitude has pushed many moms to force their children into sexually
suggestive outfits. One contestant wore a playboy costume and was carried onto
stage by her father who was dressed as Hugh Hefner. Another contestant was
dressed as a prostitute character from the 90s movie “Pretty Woman”.
(Internal transition: Now that we have identified the problem, let us look at some solutions).
III. (Satisfaction) After doing much research, I am pleased to let you know that there is a
solution to this problem. This solution is to seek out other activities that encourage
positive body image and mental and emotional development skills for your child. These
activities/hobbies can include organized team sports or even music!
A. Organized team sports can have AMAZING impacts on children! Many parents
involve their children in group sports like baseball, soccer, and basketball. What
do these sports teach our young children?
1.According to AboutKidsHealth, organized group sports can have many
positive effects on children beyond just being physically healthy. Studies
show that kids who take part in sports during their childhood are less
likely to smoke, do drugs, or abuse alcohol. Children can learn self-
discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship, as well as gain vital socialization
with their peers. Sports encourage positive mental stimulation and growth
from the physical activity.
2.Sports also can greatly increase a child’s self-image. Many kids feel a
great sense of satisfaction from learning how to properly dribble to scoring
a goal to even winning a game! Sports provides an outlet for children,
particularly girls, that focuses on skill and teamwork rather than
appearances.
 B. Another great outlet for children can include music and art! According to Laura
Lewis Brown, a writer for PBS Parents, a popular resource for many, music can
have lasting positive effects on many children.
1. Research has found that learning music facilitated learning other subjects
sand enhances skills that children inevitably use in other areas. Musical
training physically developed the part of the left side of the brain known to
be involved with processing language and can wire brain’s circuits in
specific ways. Linking familiar songs to new information can also help
imprint information on young minds.
2.Other benefits to music can include higher IQs, and spatial temporal skills
(which means that music can assist in helping kids visualize different
elements that should go together, like they would do when working on a
math problem).
(Internal Transition: Now that we have examined a viable solution, let us visualize the
possibilities.)
IV. (Visualization) So think about it. How would you like to see your child?
A. Dressed up in dresses more expensive than rent wearing ghastly amounts of
makeup, exhausted and learning that the only things that will help you win in life
are your appearances and being who other people want you to be. Or
B. Learning a new skill! Interacting with your peers and growing in friendships and
skills!
(Transition: Let us summarize what we have just discussed.)
V. (Action) Conclusion
A. Summary: In conclusion, you now know about how child beauty pageants can
have many negative impacts on young children. When choosing to participate in
these “contests”, children are taught that appearances are what matter in life and
often children don’t want to do these pageants. If you consider putting your child
in a beauty pageant, ask yourself. Are you doing this for her or for you?
B. Action: When choosing activities for your child, seek out those that are
encouraging of friendly interactions and socialization, positive and healthy body
image, and mental growth and stimulation!
 Bibliography
Blue, Alexis, and Alexis Blue. “Princess by Proxy: When Child Beauty Pageants Aren't About
the Kids.” UANews, University of Arizona, 19 Feb. 2018, uanews.arizona.edu/story/princess-by-
proxy-when-child-beauty-pageants-aren-t-about-the-kids.
Brown, Laura Lewis. “The Benefits of Music Education.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 25
May 2012, www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-benefits-of-music-education/.
“Organized Sports: A Winning Formula For Children.” AboutKidsHealth, AboutKidsHEalth,
www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=1953&language=English.

Visual aids: Power point presentation

https://uanews.arizona.edu/story/princess-by-proxy-when-child-beauty-pageants-aren-t-about-
the-kids
https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/Article?contentid=1953&language=English
http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/music-arts/the-benefits-of-music-education/