Pageants disgust me. I can think of no better way to instill low self esteem into your daughter. They teach little girls that being pretty and cute is what makes you desirable and worthy of praise. What happens to these little girls when they hit puberty and they aren't cute, they're awkward and no one's handing them trophies or praising them for their appearance? They turn into attention hungry young girls who will do anything to win love and affection. This is why we have so many girls with eating disorders, teenage preganancies, etc. They think they aren't special unless they're considered attractive and desirable.