B E A U T I F U L kids...To be or not to be?

[RyanH]

It is not the government's place to tell parents how to raise their kids.

Putting your child through these rituals can be harmful, but many young girls have come through it just fine. The last thing we need is a bunch of state appointed psychologists telling parents what activities are best for their kids.

It is the government's place to intervene when a parent abuses his or her child. What these parents have done qualifies as abuse. Kids at such a young age aren't capable of making decisions for themselves, and pressure that these pagents place on children can be called nothing else----but abusive. These kids are made to look like 30 year old prostitutes. And, many of the parents yell and make them do these pagents, even when the kids don't want to.

One theory in the Jon Bonet case is that a pedophile might have killed her... Proof that these pagents are more harmful, than beneficial. When a child reaches the age of 16, it might be different since one is then capable of deciding if they want to undergo the stupid scrutiny of beauty pagents.

But until an older age, the state has STRONG POWER to intervene to protect children. IF YOU CAN'T USE GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT CHILDREN, WHAT GOOD IS A GOVERNMENT AT ALL?

 

[tomcat]

As sad as this might be, I have seen the same type of behavior at Soccer games and TaiKwonDo tournaments.

Kids that are pushed harder than their 9 yr old bodies can deal with physically.

Kids being yelled at after a game because they didn't score more goals or slowed down after playing the entire 50 Min game.

Kids at 8 or 9yrs old being told to SHUT UP and Quit complaining when they are knocked silly by a kick to the head.

Parents telling their kid "Do whatever it takes to win, no matter what".

I don't baby my daughter and I do push her to at least meet her full potential.

But, I also know her and her limits, both physically and mentally.

Do I want to ban Kids Soccer or other competitive events for her? NO WAY.

Will there always be Asshole parents that don't know shit about raising kids using common sense? YES

Will there always be Children that are ignored or abused? Unfortunately Yes..

 

[MattTheSkywalker]

It is the government's place to intervene when a parent abuses his or her child. What these parents have done qualifies as abuse. Kids at such a young age aren't capable of making decisions for themselves, and pressure that these pagents place on children can be called nothing else----but abusive. These kids are made to look like 30 year old prostitutes. And, many of the parents yell and make them do these pagents, even when the kids don't want to.

Parents often make their kids do things they don't want to do. This is not inherently abuse. How is this pressure any different than sporting events? Different than a basketball tournament with 100 college coaches in the seats? There is pressure there.....competition teaches children about life. I'm not personally a fan of these pageants but it isn't my place to tell other parents how to raise their kids.

One theory in the Jon Bonet case is that a pedophile might have killed her... Proof that these pagents are more harmful, than beneficial. When a child reaches the age of 16, it might be different since one is then capable of deciding if they want to undergo the stupid scrutiny of beauty pagents.

Whatever happened to JonBenet is not proof of anything. This is sensationalism of the highest order. The fact that she competed in baeuty pageants only gave the TV news crews a pretty face to televise. Children are murdered...it's sad. PLEASE SHOW ME SOME STATISTICS THAT DEMONSTRATE HOW CHILDREN WHO COMPETE IN SUCH PAGEANTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE KILLED, OR TO LEAD DYSFUNCTIONAL LIVES.

Otherwise, leave the JonBenet propaganda at home.

But until an older age, the state has STRONG POWER to intervene to protect children. IF YOU CAN'T USE GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT CHILDREN, WHAT GOOD IS A GOVERNMENT AT ALL?

Stop with the appeals to emotion. The task of parenting is best left to parents. keep teh government out of our homes.

 

[chesty]

I do agree that pageants for these girls is not the best thing they can be put through.

However, to ask the state to again dictate to us how to raise our children even if it is in our supposed best interest is wrong. Where would it stop?

With having to walk to school, doing homework, watching educational programs, not having to eat our vegitables? While those items listed above are quasi-facitious, it gets my point across.

 

[RyanH]

Parents often make their kids do things they don't want to do. This is not inherently abuse. How is this pressure any different than sporting events? Different than a basketball tournament with 100 college coaches in the seats? There is pressure there.....competition teaches children about life. I'm not personally a fan of these pageants but it isn't my place to tell other parents how to raise their kids.

Because sports teach children how to compete based on physical strength, on strategy, on skill......These pagents teach girls how to look like a tramp before her time.....they are based merely on the color of your hair, the color of your lips, the shape of your legs. Pathetic that a parent would instill these types of values in a child's life.

Whatever happened to JonBenet is not proof of anything. This is sensationalism of the highest order. The fact that she competed in baeuty pageants only gave the TV news crews a pretty face to televise. Children are murdered...it's sad. PLEASE SHOW ME SOME STATISTICS THAT DEMONSTRATE HOW CHILDREN WHO COMPETE IN SUCH PAGEANTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE KILLED, OR TO LEAD DYSFUNCTIONAL LIVES. [/QUOTE]

Putting children up as sexual objects at the age of 4 and 5 and even 2...is a pedophile's dream. Children will have enough sex as they get older, leave their childhood's innocent. They at least deserve that.

Stop with the appeals to emotion. The task of parenting is best left to parents. keep teh government out of our homes. [/QUOTE]

Our law is based on notions of morality and emotion. Remember--radical extremist oppose abortion because their emotions get in the way. And your argument would leave a parent with the authority to do anything she wants to do with her child.......Maybe pornography, maybe nude shots here and there. Your premise is silly, it creates a slippery slope.... we protect children all the time when parents fail in their responsibilities. Government has always been the protector of children, it is necessary to preserve a healthy nation.....