Toddlers and Tiaras

IMO, its not just the show that should be banned, its the pageants. Those “beauty pageants” are nothing more than exploitation. There is no underlying value to them at all. I am generally not in favor of legislating parenting, but if these parents can’t see how disgusting it is, then maybe there does need to be a law.

I have not yet watched the show but have watched documentaries ect like this I would be less concerned if the winner wasnt the most primped adult acting and looking child there is nothing cuter than a kid in dungereens with cake batter on their face not that i am saying we go to that extreme but how about a more natural look
The parents generally say well i am trying to give them a good start in life but what are the statistics what happens to these kids when they are an 18 yr old with no more pagents and tiaras and they are out in the real world?

I agree TLC has become “The Freak-Show Channel.” I can’t stand how they give the Duggars superstar status when they are giving the rest of the country really bad ideas about having WAY too many children which Mother Earth cannot possibly sustain. To each its own, but to give the baby pageants and giant families this kind of status makes them both look good and attainable, when neither of them is. It’s irresponsible. I do have to say that there was a 1-hour show about a family of 23 kids, 19 of which had been adopted who had some kind of physical or developmental problem. See? No need to bring 18 kids into the world when there are so many who could have benefited from the Duggar’s know-how about large families, who truly needed a family and the care of loving people. But I digress, as the Duggars have me going bonkers, and that’s just a pet peeve of mine. Child molesters must be salivating watching Toddlers & Tiaras. I would (could) NEVER knowingly expose my daughter in such a way.

IMO, they give regular pageants a bad name. These “Glitz” pageants that are shown on the television show are horrible. Non-glitz pageants are nothing like that, but people don’t know because of what they see on this horrible show. My daughter has been in and won several pageants (as did I when I was younger) but NONE of the pageants she has ever been in called for make-up, false eyelashes, and fake hair. Any pageant I will ever put her in won’t, either.

UGH. My husband and I watched this once. Only once. I could barely stand to look at it…those girls…man. I don’t understand how those mothers think that its ok, that their child is going to grow up to be a normal kid. No she’s not – she doesn’t have any friends because you’ve been truckin her across the US, trying to live out your fantasy of being in pagents through her because you never could. My husband and I kept thinking, I bet child molesters are having a hay-day. I bet they record it and watch it over and over again. Why wasn’t something like that considered before the idiot who thought this show was a good idea put it on the air? I guess when you’re desperate you put on anything. Too bad, I really liked TLC.

So creepy.

Let kids be kids,no fake pagents(such a short time)we spend enough of our life worrying what we look like or how to be perfect. I would never let my daughter do that for those pedophiles watching. I like the christmas pagents she is in at school THAT IS NORMAL!

What a pathetic show.Makes them look like mini pornographic stars.

I think this show is a sad commentary on our society today. These are little children that need to be protected by adults. Instead they are being sexualized. This show would be some sick pedophiles dream. How sad that our society has come to this level of degradation.

Mel C.:
The Bible says,” Be fruitful and multiply.”
Don’t give me the line about “Mother” Earth cannot support mankind. If the Duggars can support their kids, more power to them (I do think the Duggars are being exploited).

Life is hard enough for little girls and teens already. There are so very many problems with eating disorders and insecurities in our society today.

I feel that this show is giving the immpression that as a girl, you have to be “perfect”. Beauty comes from within. What kind of person you become and how you treat others is far more important then being what society calls “beautiful”.

These little girls are being robbed of their childhood. I am afraid a lot of them will have some serious emotional and mental problems later in life from being exposed to such things as a young child.

These mothers are living through their little girls. It is not fair. I think they are trying to live out something that they themselves have wanted and had insecurities about.

This show should definetly be banned from the air and these mothers need some counceling so they can realize the potential damage they are doing to their children.

Why are these overweight, overaged wantabee beauty pageant mothers not arrested for child abuse?
The Bible says, “Prostitute not your daughters.”
There are a few dads too that need a whop in the seat of their pants. Let the children be children!

I am in total agreement. I also say that the pageants should be banned. Spraying tanner, fake teeth, fake hair pieces is all too much. I have seen the show and it is not only shocking but revolting. They are teaching those little girls that it’s okay to win by being something you’re not. What kind of message is that?

It is disgusting how PARENTS will exploit their own children just to make a buck!! These are not kids, they are little dolls parents USE for their own perverse pleasure in making money. Why rob kids of what a short childhood they have anyway….kids should be just that….kids, not fake plastic dolls. SHAME ON PARENTS WHO PUT PARADE THEIR KIDS AROUND LOOKING LIKE LITTLE PROSTITUTES!!

I must say, I was shocked…why is it a southern “sport” per say and are these little girls just preparing for the grown up beauty shows, which are just as gross? If they at least interviewed these mothers and kids or attempted to show us that it wasn’t as deranged as we thought…ok nothing they could say would make me think that this is good for a little girl’s self esteem. This is just so heartbreaking. Poor Jon Bonnet look alikes.

What is wrong with little girls in their natural state. Children are beautiful just as they are. The makeup, hair extensions, eyelashes, and fake tans are just garish. As a mother of teenage girls I really think they are prettiest in ponytails with plain faces. Ban the pageants ? No…But on last nights show the pageant director said the “Chitlin Strut” ( dear Lord) was a Glitzy pageant and the fake was what they were looking for. Not ok. The cultural emphasis should be natural beauty, intelligence and articulating your thoughts, opinions and ideas.

I agreed with all of the comments above. It’s an obvious exploitation of the kids. Kids SHOULD be kids…not toys. It is soooo heartbreaking to see the kids being exploited. PLEASE STOP IT!!

I have to admit that I find the show amusing – not because I am into pageants, but because the parents are hysterical. They’re the ones who are disappointed when their daughters don’t win, but the little girls are far better sports than the grownups.

The mothers actually have the nerve to say they are doing this for their kids. Many, if not most, were into pageants themselves when they were younger, and half the time their kids don’t look like they are enjoying it as much as Mom tells them they do.

The WE channel has a similar show that is even worst, as these shows don’t exploit kids as much as they expose eccentric parents.

My daughter does these pageants. She loves it! I will not deny my child the chance to participate because a couple of ugly people think its wrong! We only did face pageants for a long time… I waited until she was old enough to make a decision for herself. She likes the attention and she shines on stage! Toddlers and Tiara’s is a cute show! Quit being so uptight just because you were never the cute kid or popular girl.

I don’t agree with beauty pageants either, but no where do they ever AGREE with them. It’s simply following mothers and fathers who enter their child in beauty pageants. Many children enjoy them and take them lightly. Don’t ruin it for those children who need that confidence and ambition.

This program is a disgust. The world of these child beauty pageants is sickening enough – Why give these disturbed individuals who participate the added exposure on a major network? I know that airing a program like this can increase TLC’s quantity of viewers…but isn’t it quality that matters? What quality of viewers do they forsee attracting by airing a program like this? What will be next – Dog Fighting Diaries, just because it draws lots of attention? It isn’t typical for TLC to air a program that can so easily incite the many pedophiles of the world. The mothers in these programs are vain, and treat their kids like property, not children. They focus on image and performance, rather than on it being what’s inside that counts. (I don’t know about others here, but I find kids to be most beautiful when they’re covered in jelly, or have their hair full of leaves after a romp outdoors in the fall…not plastered with fake tans and makeup!) The story lines are disheartening, not inspiring. This program isn’t focused on the tragedy of the beauty pageant situation as a whole – I wouldn’t have any problem with that viewpoint. Instead, there is an element of sensationalism, which makes it all the more disturbing. Wise up, TLC – I’m not the only person who holds these views about the program. They’re turning a lot of people off, and are contributing toward today’s sexualization of children – very disappointing to see on an “educational” network!

Ok I’m all for building self-esteem but holy crap this is not building self-esteem. This is teaching young girls that sex sells and that as long as you have plastic looks you can get anyting you want, all you have to do is use your body to get it. I have a 5 year old neice and my brother entered her in a local pagent which I was ok with, the reason being there were no swimsuit competitions nor were there any bearly there outfits. She was in a little sun dress and NO make up or fake tans or fake teeth! I really hope that this show gets taken off the air!

well i have to agree with the other ashley my daughter is also in these beauty pagents and loves it she loves her trophys the stage the glam and girly things about it how are you going to pass jugdgment and say it hasno future in it for your info lots of women have become lots of great things and landed lots of career oppertunitees thanks to these so called disgusting pagents so all you ugly mothers with ugly kids need to back off there is summer camps and classes and more for these beautiful girls and what do you call modeling that is another form of beauty pagent so for all you people out there running your mouth about things you know nothing abou nor have took the time to learn about back off you are all immature you cant put all pagents and pagent parents in a whole and call a name or put a label on it cause i agree the make up teeth and tanning is sick but there is exemptions in that for certain pagents as well as parents its all in what you ALLOW YOUR CHILD TO DO

OMG! shut-up!You have no clue what goes on behind the scenes. I have 3 daughters who all compete in these. There ages are 2.5,4,6. They love competeing. They all pick out their dresses, they pick there talent, and they draw a make-up plan. It is just like a game of dress-up to them, it also teaches them things they can use later in life like: confidence, public speaking abilties, and so may more skills. Yeah it might be a show for molesters, but i am sure they would much rather watch a show with nude teens, that your daughter could be in beacuse she didnt compete in pageants so they have no self confidence!

Hey both “Ashley’s” You Make me laugh! My daughters are Gorgeous Everyone tells me they should be models,But Why should i spray tan my kids,OR put false teeth or dye there hair?They look like little Whores that way. I would never dress my kids that way .So buy saying the people who dont agree with this show or pageants,Must have ugly kids.Nope most people dont want there kids being targeted by child molesters.

Amber,Child molesters love little Girls the ones that do these shows. I would rather have my children have a life then spend there whole childhood at some stupid pageant. Kids need to be kids not grown up.I say yes kids should feel confident about them self,But now in away that needs to be covered up by fake everything, Doing a Natural Pageant is fine but still not living your life around them.

I’m sorry “Ashley” but I was a very popular kid in school. Why?? Because I was nice and friendly and didn’t judge people. And guess what? I absolutely hate this show and those pageants. Even my 5 yr old daughter has enough sense to agree. Self-Esteem doesnt come from being “cute”. It’s accepting yourself the way you are and loving others for the same reason.

I’ve watched a couple of these shows now.I’ve decided that it gives me the creeps.The parents are so needy!I CAN see where it might give some confidence when in front of a crowd.I can also see where it would make a kid deperate for attention and learn that its not whats inside that counts but your clothes,make up,hair,nails.Today I saw a nasty little heifer named Kaleigha, did shows with a cousin,Makayla,both about 5 or 6.Kaleigha was a tyrant!Yelling,whinning,hitting her Dad,even yelling”I told you to shut up!”She yelled at him 3 times.That is NOT cute and mark my words,
this kid will become a big problem.
About the perverts, oh buddy are they out there!You pagent parents watch out.They are at most of these kiddie shows with cameras.Often posing as legit photographers.
I know about this because my brother is a Det. in a Sex Crime Unit.These slime balls are EVERWHERE there are children and they do love so to be where there are little girls with makeup,wigs,little short skirts showing panties,tight shorts doing these very sexual moves.Gives me chills!
As a kid I was molested by 2 creeps when I was 5 then 8.It ruined my life.I was never able to trust men.
Lets not dress our girls up and show them how to walk to attract these sick little cowards.

I agree with Dee. See I watched this show for the first time ever with the episode that aired little Kaleigha and Kayla. All I could think of when I watched Kaleigha is she is going to be a big problem when she gets just a little older and the pageant situation is not helping. Her parents lives seem to center around their daughter in these pageants and that kid is all too wise to this and uses it to her advantage to be rude and unruly. As for those posters making comments about pageants raising self-esteem, my opinion is that is the farthest from the truth.

These competitions are for the parents only. One woman who made a comment that only peoople with ugly children have a problem with it, well, I guess she has not looked in the mirror herself lately. I just think they are trying to live their pathetic, dull lives through their kids for some sort of unfulfilled glory of their own.

You want your kid to have confidence, self-esteem? give ‘em a library card and let them read books. And education is guaranteed success.

How telling that virtually every poster who has written in defense of these pageants has resorted to accusing non-supporters of being “ugly” and having “ugly children.” Is this the attitude you’re trying to instill in your kids? That anyone who would not participate in these activities is “ugly”? That physical appearance is everything? That isn’t self-confidence. It’s superficiality.

There are certainly many strong opinions about pageants. I wanted to comment because I had very positive pageant experiences growing up, which I truly believe have given me an advantage in my professional life: from interviewing skills, public speaking expertise, poise and etiquette to being comfortable in front of an audience, interacting with different types of people and learning the value of good sportsmanship. I did not have a ‘Pageant Mom;’ I originally entered at the suggestion of my dance teachers & had to beg my father to let me participate. On the TLC show, it is apparent that some moms are pushing their daughters into pageants & doing them for the wrong reasons. But there are others who are enjoying the quality mother/daughter time, healthy competition, having fun and gaining new skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.

I, usually watch the tlc channel, but when this show came on. I thought something is wrong with the people who are in charge of this network. These children are suppose to be enjoying childhood an growing an learning, instead they are putting on makeup an looking like they are in their 20’s or 30’s.. And the parents are pushing them telling them they have to win to be the best. It’s sick. I have two beautiful girls ages 8 an 6 an they know true beauty comes from within an that they do not need glitz an glam to be a model or beauty queen to feel good about themselves. They should focus on getting good grades, an getting an education an becoming something in life.

Beauty Pageants just burn me up. No one wants to see baby’s and toddlers or even teenagers go out of their way to win a little money that their parents will probably just spend on themselves. I’m almost old enough to enter a beauty pageant here, and when i am im gonna go out there in old jeans, a t-shirt, no make-up with my hair in a messy ponytail.That’s who i am, and no one can make me (or should) act otherwise.

These pageants are wrong in my opinion because they definitely sexualize these little girls. At the same time, they have been going on for years and I doubt they will stop. My main issue is this show. I have not watched the show because on every single commercial, I have seen a little girl nearly naked prancing around in tight little shorts, tiny skirts and skimpy bikinis! This show is a child predators dream! They probably sit at home and do God knows what as they watch this show. I cannot believe TLC put this on air.

I LOVE the show. I’ve seen every episode of it and the other child pageant reality show on another network. Not one of those girls on either show is *forced* to compete. Your child isn’t involved, so don’t waste your energy disliking something that doesn’t affect you and that you have no control over. Here’s a suggestion: if you don’t like Toddlers and Tiaras because you think the girls are being exploited, recite the Serenity Prayer, then change the channel and watch SVU instead.

This is ridiculous. You people are judging these parents and children like you know them. Maybe the children actually, I don’t know, WANT to do the pageants. If they want to put on fake spray tan and flippers, let them. None of you have any right to judge. It’s childish and completely uncalled for. I would be ashamed if I were any of you. I have been in a few pageants myself, and I enjoyed them. No one forced me in them when I was younger, no one is forcing these girls.

Alison, my toddler WANTS potato chips and M&M’s for breakfast. Children of this age do not have the mental capability to know what is good for them, and what is not. They run purely on what feels good. Attention, especially from parents, feels good. So if the parents reward them with attention, of course they will “WANT” to be in them. It’s the parents’ job to encourage them, and help them make good decisions, and veto them when they do not(No, you cannot ride in the front seat of the car.) The bigger problem is what these pagents and these TV shows teach them. These little girls that are being taught that what matters is the way you look. And even worse, they way you look isn’t good enough – it’s better to use makeup, fake eyelashes, fake teeth (down the road.. fake boobs, fake noses, lip injections, liposuction, etc..etc….)

This is really sad, these parents should all lose custody of their children. Thee girls lives have been stained forever, and there’s nothing they can do to stop it.

I have been completely bowled over by this show. I noticed you had placed in your article that there were a couple of teens in Canada that are asking for the show to be banned, I fully agree, but I also have to add that the parents of these children should be banned. They are exploiting their children with dreams that they could not accomplish on their own. Spray tanning your child, making them wear fake nails, fake teeth, and act like, let’s face it, basically a hooker, is completely disgusting and is neglect. The DCS needs to step up and do something about it.

Most of the above comments seem to be have made by mums. I’m 14 years old (no, not scared of internet stalkers) and haven’t actually WATCHED the show, but I’ve been researching it a bit.
I wouldn’t normally comment, but some of the posts caught my eye (eg. Ashley, Ashlea, Amber) and I thought they were, not just hilarious, but pretty sad. Ok, great, your daughter does pageants, that’s nice. But cute kid? Popular kid? For all the cyberworld knows, your little girl could be the could be the rejected plain one who sits in the corner because she has no social skills that can relate to her age group. Yes, I love girly, glam things. Can’t the competition wait until after they’ve established their other skills? I was the one in the library every day during the school holidays, borrowing 3 books a day and I have a friend who’s been modelling for 8 years. So that establishes me as a bookworm and her as a competitive bitch? No, not quite. But I ramble. My point is: Ashley, Ashlea, Amber… you guys/mums/whatever are ridiculous, not just because of the daughter-pageant thing, but because of your competitive, bitchy attitudes.

I was reading some of these posts and came across a post from someone wanting to know, what becomes of the pageant kids once they turn 18. Well, I can tell you that my 19 year old daughter has been competing in pageants since she was 8 months old. Although, I do have to mention that when my daughter was little pageants back then were much different then what they are now. Most pageants mommies could do the hair, very little makeup, pro-am modeling was more like runway type modeling, attire was more affordable, no spray tanning, some children wore flippers but most of these children had flippers that they used and were told to use due to commercials. Watch any Mattel commercial and tell me if you ever notice a child on their commercials that has a missing tooth. You will not find one because Mattel makes the children use flippers. That is why my daughter had one. Anyway, my daughter not only did pageants but was very active in dance class and loved her sports which consisited of soccer and softball. My daughter has tons of confidence and walks tall and appears so secure with herself and when she walks in a room you know it. She always walk in a room with a smile and people stop what they are doing and watch her walk through the room. Right now my daughter is a volunteer for our local homeless shelter. She volunteers at our wildlife museum where she rakes up animal poop and feeds the animals, and she adores helping there. She is also a volunteer for the MS foundation where she walks for a cure almost every weekend or runs in marathons. She is a fulltime student and is on the dean list and works a part time job to pay for her own college fees and pay her rent. It’s not because I won’t help her, it’s because it makes her feel good to do this on her own. Not too bad for a girl that raised on the pageant stage. Oh and I do have to mention that I have always been a single mom and raised her and my son by myself. Both my children graduated high school, never been suspended and were always on the honor roll and I never had to pick them up from the police station thank god. My son is married and is successful and my daughter has grown to be a strong, confident woman that knows what she wants in life and is secure with who she is.

What surprised me when I watched Toddlers & Tiaras — the mothers spend an inordinate amount of time attending to every detail of their little girls’ appearance, but many of them are overweight, some greatly so, wear no make-up, and seem not to care about their hair or what they wear. Talk about mixed messages!

My daughter has done only natural pageants since the age of 13 months. There was never any exploitation of children, only kids making friends and wearing off the rack clothing. There was no make up, no stoned dresses, no bare midriffs. My daughter has won over 10,000 in bonds for college and her confidence is high. I do not agree with glitz pageants, however, but, to each his own.

As for those who think pageants are “sexual”, maybe it’s you who is the pervert, not someone else. Perverted minds think alike, I’m sure!

To whoever Emily is i would just like to say just beacuse you are not popular in school or have no self esteem doesnt mean you have to dish on my children for having what you want to have. Didnt you mom ever teach you that you only pick on people beacause you are jealous of them. I used to pick on people but i did it beacuse it me feel like a bigger person, but then i stopped because i got envolved in pageants. Does it make you feel bigger? Well i got some news for you! YOU ARE NOT! i dont even know why you would even post a comment. It has nothing to do with you at all. just beacuse you dont agree with it doesnt mean you have to bring 3 innocent little girls into this who happen to be my daughters!

Where’s child protective services when you need them?

And where is spell check? Or any shred of wiritng skills. Emily, you rock! Good points.

I’ve watched this show twice now. It’s like watching a car wreck – I just can’t seem to look away. I particularly enjoy the editing. In a statement obviously recorded earlier, a mother will be extolling the virtues of her perfectly behaved little gremlin, saying that he or she just enjoys practicing so much while, on screen, the child is screaming bloody murder and being totally non-compliant. In reality, the pagents should be banned and I am, unfortunately, naive enough to believe that this show might just be a way to make that happen. It shows how impossibly difficult this is on the children and how foolish the mother (and fathers and particularly grandmothers) are to force (yes, force!) their children to perform like a bunch of trained poodles. If you want to prance around in a beauty pagent as an adult, go ahead and do it and have a blast. Children should be climbing trees, playing with trucks, and, if absolutely necessary, playing dress up in their mom’s closet.
Finally, another thing that I’ve noticed the producers/directors/editors/creators of the program make PERFECTLY clear is that the families actually lose money putting their kids in these carnivals. The moms will brag about the $350 bathing suit or $1,000 dress and the $$$ on modeling lessons, and makeup, and hair dressers, and photographers, and dance/voice/acting lessons, etc. while the top prize at a lot of these pagents is around $1,000, meaning that the parents need to come up with another excuse for attending – their own ridiculously overblown egos. The show establishes first that, although the parents swear up and down that little Sally JUST LOVES her pagents, she, in fact, does not, and spends a good portion of the time crying or complaining. Then the show establishes that all arguments that the child participates in pagents to earn money for college is also ridiculous, since the parents spend more than the child can possibly win, meaning that if college education was truly important and an issue, putting the money spent on costumes and lessons into a 529 account would be a much smarter endeavor. So we’re left with parents wanting to “win” something by having the most beautiful child. And, in order to prove that their child is the most beautiful, the turn the child into a tart that looks nothing like a child at all. Lovely.

I don’t understand how these mothers have not been investigated by child protective services and i’ve contacted the network, I’m outraged that these children can be treated this way out in the open and no one is helping them. Not only should the shows and pageants be banned, but these mothers and other people allowing this to go on need to be charged. And the people that have left comments defending the show, are just as bad as these mothers abusing their children and i pray for the children you may have or will have. I agree that these children aren’t ready to be deciding what is best for them, thats why they have parents!!

This show sickens me to the core. I can’t understand why any parent would want to do this to a child and call the rest of us “ugly” for being saddened and disturbed by this horrible exploitation of children. I have heard parents say it gives the child confidence, but all I see is a child dressed up as a confident street walker that will someday have the same future as Jonbenet Ramsey. Saddened, Heartbroken, Creeped, Sickened are just a few of the words to describe how I feel about this show. Taking the show off the air would not be enough, this type of behavior of parents should be prosecuted.

When you make your little girl look like a grown woman don’t be surprise if others in every way treat her as a grown woman. Plus, she will probably act like a grown woman too. Didn’t we learn anything from Jon Benét. This show shows young children making moves that would probably be considered pornographic in other mediums.

i love that show i love the shows on tlc i would love to compete in pageants myself

i agree that some parents dont have ne idea what they are doin to these children its bad enough to give all they want but to make them flaunt there stuff in front millions of people i have to say that some of these kids are going to regret having a mother who made them dance sexually on television…they are not old enough to know wat they want but aprently parents dont know best…i seen a mother on there and she was almost there as if she was the star i see them as if they wanted to be on stage but since the were to old and fat that they couldnt so they live there lives throw them….

The beautiful thing about this country is the freedom of speech and the freedom of choice. You have the freedom to agree or disagree and also to speak your opinion. However, as I read a lot of these blogs, I have to say I am rather disappointed in a lot of you ladies who take your personal opinion to a level of personal attack. We can all agree to disagree, however, lowing yourself to insult slinging of not only the parent but the child, not only takes away from you are trying to accomplish, but makes you look un-classy and uneducated…and that is for both sides. My daughter is 8 and just recently flipped thru the channels and found T&T and told me she was interested in doing a pageant. Now, the first thing half of you are going to say is: why are you doing this to your child? My answer is doing what? Putting them in a competition? Making them work and practice routes that they must perform in front of judges for a score? Putting them in certain attire to enhance their performance? Doing their make-up or hair to enhance their beauty and make them stand out from the other contestants. Hmmm, you know what…that sounds a lot like…umm…let me see…Cheerleading, poms, gymnastics, modeling, figure skating, ball room dance, ballet, jazz and tap…and I think those are…competitions, correct? Basically, that is exactly what pageants are…competitions. Someone is on top and someone is on the bottom, there is no way around that. It’s a sport, and in sports there are winners and there are losers. Period. I also have been reading about how some feel the mothers are trying to live vicariously through her child. Wow, so I guess all the dads who are coaching their sons in football or baseball are living their dreams thru their sons…wishing they had been pro players getting all the girls, right? And let’s be honest with ourselves…we cannot look into the hearts of the “pageant moms’ and see their true motives. This is a personal jab to moms that do not believe that same way you do. Well, I say that if the child is happy doing something they want and love to do…so what…the child will still reap the benefit of the competition and the rewards regardless. I just think people jump to conclusions on a subject that they are sorely uneducated about because of media bias. Which, considering in a recent poll, nearly 80% of Americans said they do not believe what media says and feel they push their own agendas…people sure do believe stories about horrible people such as Jon Benet’s mom, Mrs. Ramsey. And as for the pedophiles…better never take your kid to an amusement park, a shopping mall or Chuck E Cheese. Better never let them enter ANY sort of sport or competition…because that might attract a predator to watch your kid. Come on ladies. These sick people are everywhere and anyone can make an argument over a location that can exploit a child. But you cannot stop living. But anyway, as for my daughter, we probably will stick to natural pageants, which believe it or not, there seems to be more of them than glitz…however, if my child chooses to do a glitz, then (like any other competition) she will do what is needed to “put on a great show.” Then the make-up comes off and we all go for ice cream. As mentioned in the beginning, everyone is entitled to believe what they want, and I honor and respect your opinions, but before we jump off the cliff based on emotion, try to interject some common sense into the game and remember that if you don’t agree with it…then you don’t have to put your kid in it. Ahhh…democracy is great.

i love this show i like seeing how pretty girls can get. i alawys wanted to be in a pagent so i can feel beautiful.

I think the commentor Stephanie made an excellent point about fathers living through the successes of their sons in sports and the comparison of the behaviors of the mothers on T&T. I had not looked at it that way previously. Thanks, Stephanie. So far, I have only caught the show on “glitz” pageants. I would love to see the “natural” pageants. Some of the children just look so darn miserable in glitz — much in the way some children look miserable in soccer games or ballet recitals. Competition and proper performance are qualities and experiences children should have — there are teachable moments within those — but there has to be a level of age appropriateness before children are exposed to those experiences — 7 to 9 year olds, yes – but 9 months to 3 years old just seems abusive.

thank you stephanie. people love to judge what they know nothing about. a sport is a sport. be it dance, skating, baseball, cheerleading. and for the record my child has participated in pageants, dance lessons, soccer, softball & tae kwon do. the competition part is all the same.

Toddlers & Tiaras would be a better show if it would do even more to expose and embarrass these parents who need a kick in the hiney! When your daughter says she wants to “take a break” from doing pageants after you ASKED her if she wanted to quit, and then you do all you can to convince her to do otherwise, there is something wrong. When these girls grow up to be anorexic, depressed, sexually active teenagers, the mothers will probably STILL wonder why, and TLC will have a new reality show to start filming. My niece was in a pageant just for fun, and her mother said she will never do it again. She said the mothers were just ridiculous, and the girls just wanted to have fun and play. So sad. Children should never be called or told to act “sexy” or spray tanned. Child abuse.

I think that it is funny how the attitude of almost every pagent parent on this board has been “All you UGLY people need to shut up”! Why is it that they assume that everyone that criticizes them is ugly… that is exactly the attitude that they will leave with their kids and let me tell you- it won’t do them much good in the future.

Well said, Stephanie!

I wish T&T would show the natural side of pageants, but, I’m sure they won’t. It’s probably not as entertaining for their ratings. As for the person talking about the prizes of 1000.00, my pageant system had 5000, 10,000 and 25,000 bonds and all of our clothing was off the rack, unless we wanted to be creative and make a costume. My daughter has won plenty of bonds and has never put on a flashy dress, fake teeth, make-up, fake tan, nor had to do a routine. Please stop judging everyone based on this show. Like Stephanie said, it’s no different from any other hobby or sport and I see more make-up on those little girls that do dance than I do on a pageant participant.

To the mothers that are defending this repulsive irresponsible behavior that they are imposing on their babies, yes BABIES…please do not sit here and tell us that they are making their own choices! Get Real. Who is the parent here? It’s your responsibility to raise these children to have respect for themselves and others. It’s your responsibility to ensure that you are doing everything to prepare them for life! They are only ours for a short time. They are a gift from God, and not a commodity.This is not a “dress rehearsal” for life. This is the only shot you will ever have to give them the tools they will need in life to be succesful, to be strong enough to stand on their own, to be comfortable within their own skin to handle all the adversity that life will eventually throw their way.
I am appalled that this is not only an acceptable practice but that is promoted by the very people who are supposed to be protecting our youth…..
Shame on TLC, and the parents of these precious angels…..they deserve better.This is a clear form of abuse, a violation of their right to be children. A rose by any other name is still a just a rose!!!!

For everyone who thinks beauty pageants are “disturbing” you are just ignorant people who don’t actually know anything about beauty pageants. A way for children to gain self confidence, and develop skills, such as being in front of people that they will use for their whole lives. And no one has an issue with dance or cheerleading, when they also have to wear lots of makeup. Why don’t you just let people live their lives, and not tell them how to raise their own kids.

Thank you, at least someone knows what they are talking aboutt. totallyyyyy agree with you. i dont get why people hate them so much.

there is nothing wrong with pagaents i wish my mom would have put me in them i am going to have my daughters in them too so i see nothing wrong they have much more self confidence then other kids do

I have 2 children. Both have done pageants. My 5yr old also does dance and cheers. She wears fake hair, eyelashes, and skimpy costumes. With pageants there is spray tannig done. I have skin cancer that runs in my family…so with the options being what they are I view spray tanning a safer choice. Her “costumes” for pageants are more covering than what she wears to the beach. The moms who go on these shows ARE out to exploit there children! That’s why they are on T.V. & my child isn’t. We have made amazing friends from all over the country from pageants. She is still a little girl. If these shows took a step back & showed them playing barbies or tag before they go on stage, then maybe people could see the “real” side of pageants. Pageants aren’t for everyone & that’s fine but please don’t judge the rest of the parents based on a few parents who are or were made to look a “part” for ratings.

Jonbenet Ramsey anyone??? Need I say more?
There are MANY other ways to foster self-confidence in your child. Furthermore, why is a swimsuit competition included? Who has a valid explanation for that? Adults have swimsuit competitions to show of their figures. Isn’t that the goal of that portion of the pageant? What is the goal in making a 5 year-old parade around in her bikini?

Good question Alex. What is the point of a
“bikini” competition???? Interesting, none of the “supporters” of this insanity have answered that question. What’s with all the make up? Again I repeat from an earlier comment, these are babies, they are being exposed to something that they did not choose and as long as we have irresponsible parents, we will have irresponsible programs.

My system does not have a swimsuit competition. Once again, you are judging something you know nothing about. Look more into natural competitions before you judge people. And not all glitz systems have a “swimsuit” competition. It is usually “Outfit of Choice” and a swimsuit is a parent’s choice sometimes.

Now, your question has been partially answered. Let a glitz mom answer the other half.

I just signed up my toddler for a pageant. I did see the TLC show and I was upset because why put makeup on their kids? fake hair, fake tan, fake eyelashes?? Kids under the age of 15 do NOT need makeup. With that said, I got a flier for a local pageant and they require the kids to wear a fancy dress (long or knee length), no make up or fake things is allowed. They want all natural. So it is fancy dress and casual wear. that is it.

so with that said, I did some research and entered my toddler into one more pageant, thinking why not? and the same thing: Fancy wear, casual wear and one with mommy and baby (which I think will be fun)

will I do it again? no. why did I sign up? Because why not? It is something fun to do. There are people who are serious about it and that is fine. For me, it is fun. Life is short. As long as my child isn’t being dressed up like a las vegas show girl, then I think that is fine.

fyi, models wear worse things than pageant people. Top Model anyone?

It is horrifying. But I don’t think people realize that TLC isn’t doing this for giggles. That are documenting this. Exposing what’s happening. Is everyone aware of this now? yes. And you can tell by the way the clips are edited that TLC is against it too.
They’re showing it to the world for what it really is.

LOLOLOLOL at the women defending their actions by saying all these women against kids in beauty pageants must be ugly or have ugly kids hahahaha. WAY TO DEFEND YOURSELVES.

I’m so glad my mother never forced me into that crap before I had a choice. Way to teach your kids that if they aren’t “pretty” or have some stupid talent like dance or baton twirling they aren’t worth a cent.

I learned leadership skills, teamwork, public speaking skills, etc as a child, no need to put myself through superficial contests to do so Now I am a successful adult that knows how to use more than my body and some silly talents to get ahead in life. I’m pretty hot but my mom taught me that my brain and college education will get me far more

yall are retarded. tlc edits the videos to make it look like the moms are making their kids do it… which they arent. i go to pageants all the time, and the kids are the ones who like it. the mom gets mad at em for not being good to get ready for it, but the parts they dont show is where the mom says “you better sit here or we are goin home” and then the kid striaghtens up. why? because they wanna do the pageant! why would parents do that to their kids to just win money? thats right. they wouldnt. we like to dress up and be competitive a few weekends just because its fun. i used to be against them, then i did one. it was a blast. dont knock it, til you try it.

read susan’s comment. its the best one yet. i totally agree with her.

To: ?? We’re all retarded~~~Please learn how to spell, and properly punctuate. Can anyone say “Moron”!

Also, I agree with Nan. A very wise lady.

I personally think pagents are repugnant and not just for little girls. The objectification of women in society, our allowing ourselves to be objectified and placed into direct competition against each other to see who is / can be the most sexually appealing to the males is both ridiculous and detrimental to our status as human beings.

We don’t have to to this! In nature it is the MALE who adorns and preens himself to garner the attention of the female.

But what do we human females do? We prostitute ourselves. Get fake boobs, veneers, hair extensions, starve ourselves.

A quote from Mariah Carey shows just how self-destructive we have become. “Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can’t help but cry. I mean I’d love to be skinny like that but not with all those flies and death and stuff.” We don’t want to be slim anymore…that is not extreme enough! We want to be emaciated and at death’s door!

So what do these pagents tell our children? You will never be good enough.

That being said…

Three of my five sisters and one neice participated in these pagents as young children. All because they had friends who were in them and THEY wanted to be in them. They were never pushed. (It was offered to me as well, but I have been opinionated about pagents since age 7 and asked to spend my summers with Grandma instead.) All but one of them were in say…a half dozen pagents at most, got bored and went back to the business of being children.

Our family did not believe in whoring the girls up. The most that was done to them cosmetically, was a touch of BROWN mascara(not black and *only* on my sister who is very, very blonde) and CLEAR lipgloss. Hair was curled with a curling iron by their mom…not a stylist. In fact, my step-mother made all of their pagent dresses herself.

With the exception of their dresses, (my step-mother is a phenomenal seamstress!) they were the most plain looking children in the pagents. (There were no scantilly clad bathing suit competitions and such–My Dad would have had a heart attack!)

And ya’ know what? They WON most of them. Why? Because they were cute KIDS! And people like cute kids dressed in adorable clothes just as they are BECAUSE of their innocence. (NOTE: These were all LOCAL pagents…not the national circus!)

I had one sister (now age 22)who stuck with the pagents and such on into her teen years. She is absolutely beautiful, is a talented singer and designer but has the lowest self-esteem of any of us girls. She is presently on a path I wish I could save her from. She has attempted suicide once and she requires constant reassurance of her worth from others. The only way she seems able to guage herself is through the eyes of others.

The rest of us? We have our own difficulties in life as well, but none are experiencing as much heartache as she. I am a marine biologist, two sisters became managers in the hospitality industry, and the other a psychologist. My niece is and officer in the Air Force.

My sister who stayed in pagents? She works in a club in L.A. wearing lingerie and letting guys do Jello shots off her cleavage and various other body parts. She lives at home with our parents because she can’t afford to move out and can’t seem to get her life together enough to go back to school.

Yeah…I love pagents.

FYI For the pagent proponets who want to think everyone against pagents is fat and ugly…

I was never dateless when I was single, and I (politely)turned down many offers because (being and INTJ) I am very selective in the personality types with which I associate. I am married with 3 gorgeous kids.

As a cruel gag (that sort-of backfired on him), my 15 year old son put a picture of me on Hot or Not…still wearing my PJ’s and bunny slippers, (I had only been awake for about 10 minutes and was stumbling to the kitchen for coffee). I got a 9.2 (over 500 votes…don’t remember how many exactly it has been a year).

Which just goes to show women do NOT need all that make up and plastic if a bare-faced, 42 year old can get that kind of rating when she still squint-eyed for desperate need of coffee and fully clothed in long-sleeved / long-pants PJs!

WORLD!! PLEASE stop whoring yourselves and your children! Reinstate human dignity!

The things you described here has nothing to do with pageants. You just have a family with issues. Don’t we all? I have 2 “messed up” sisters, just like you decribed and they have never been near a pageant. Young adults make their own choices.

Accept and love your family members for who they are.

Instead of little girls and little boys wanting to make friends with each other, through the pageants the parents/supporters are teaching the young children that they are in competition with each other. This entire situation is going to leave adverse social and physiological problems when they grow up. This show disgusts me, and what disgusts me more is that the majority of the American public will watch and be “amused” at it. These are small children, they should be PROTECTED by their parents, and their parents and the children will eventually suffer the consequences!

We’re not talking about natural pageants here, we’re talking about the glitz pageants as depicted in Toddlers & Tiaras. You mothers whose little girls participate in natural pageants should be proud. Those kind of pageants are where real confidence comes from; in being yourself. So stop being defensive, no one is attacking you. Now, as for the glitz pageants … that’s another story.

You are so right…little whores is what they look like. Not the brightest parents, teaching their daughters to carry themselves around in this fashion. They fall into two categories: A) They were once attractive and wish they could be again. B) They’re butt ugly and trying to live through their little whores’ attractiveness.

good job stephanie !!….. i wish t&t would show the the true back stage happenings , like when the contestants are talking and playing like little girls even if they compete in the pageant with each other ,and its not mandatory to tan, teeth, eyelashes its up to the each contestant, but when that comes off they act like little girls and know who they are, its just like a job to them, just like when kids are in dance and sports etc…. my grandaughter has been in glitz and natural pageants since she was 6 months old, she is now 7 she has asked to be in them since she was 4…. and to that ‘david’ that made comments about them being whores ! your trash…… so ladies dont judge , you only see what t&t wants you to see they dont show the true things about these pageants , im sure you all know that tv shows cut and paste to make it look the way they want it to look to you … i’ve been there to see the whole footage i know better…..

First glance on TLC, toddlers and tiaras, was as coined a “season sensation”. But the thought of looking at kids as young as 5yrs old in my perspective seemed truly horrendous and grotesque. In due respect, there seems to be a multitude of opinions regarding this contreversial and truly bleak issue. In best interest, I appreciate TLC’s attempts to raise public appeal but as many have already speculated including me, I feel it infringes on the rights of children and just ruins their lives! Prior to some of the comments read, these children aren’t some iconic tool or “play thing” documented on the show but merely the work of some “idiocricracy” and truly perversed mind in order to further exploit kids as young as 5yrs old! Wow, I mean com’on! TLC is becoming dangerously desperate in need of desperate viewers. TLC is garbage.

I remember watching Queen Bee on The-N channel. It was about superficial teen-to-twenty year old women who hate and discriminate, bully and put down others because they were “ugly” or “fat” or something that they deem “unworthy”. These girls had a beauty pageant with BLIND judges. If beauty pageants were more like this one from Queen Bee, I’d probably do them. I’m not all that pretty myself, but I’m not entirely jealous of people who do glitz and superficial pageants such as the one I’m seeing on TLC’s Toddlers and Tiaras.

I can’t envision a future for these kids. I try and try but I simply can’t. I saw a girl in one of the preview commercials for it and I could swear to you the child looked like she was 40. It was grotesque. If she looks like she’s 40 at 4, how old will she make herself look when she’s 8? Oh, she’ll just get plastic surgery so instead of looking like she’s 80, she’ll make herself look more like 79.

I’m not going to say I’m appalled or disgusted, this is typical of people who are extremely insecure. Parents especially, who would go to any lengths–like putting their toddlers on showcases like dogs at a dogshow–to have that Perfect Parent or Parent of the Perfect Daughter status.

Regular pageants are fine with me, I don’t care about pageants all that much myself. I don’t pay attention so I’m not declaring myself with a Masters in Pageantology. I do feel that the Pageant in Toddlers and Tiaras is superficial, dressing up toddlers (who should have cute little pot bellies) who look like they have Christina Aguilera tummies in a two-piece suit and being told to “Shake that booty” is just creepy. I’m just happy that they’re doing it to their own kids and not someone elses.

I guess I’m more laid back about this than other people. But I do know that this kind of thing–the pageants in T&T at least–most likely would NOT build self-esteem. Again, I don’t know anything about normal pageants, so if people say regular ones do help with that, then okay. Like most other ladies have said, pageants like the one in T&T resort to spray-tanning, fake nails, weaves, fake teeth, and skimpy clothing only say “You’ll never be good enough.” And it’s true. If a child sees that she needs all this stuff, she will figure that the true her will need more than just her true self to be pretty. It breeds insecurity. And it will be there with her until she gets therapy at the age of 30.

With that insecurity comes the “I’m better than everyone” complex. Need I say more?

I was wondering if I wouldn’t find a whole lot of outrage upon doing a search on this show. I saw the previews last night. My boyfriend and I, who are from Boulder (JonBenet Ramsey land) are outraged. What happened to “The Learning Channel?” With all the child rapes and murders filling up the news almost daily, who could have thought this was a good idea? Why is the world so totally f****d up? This is a no brainer!!! It makes me want to beat my head against the wall. I just wrote Marina Orlova (hot for words sex-pot) an email telling her to drop the slutty Catholic school uniform from her shtick if she wanted to come across in this country as truly intelligent and socially sensitive. I doubt it will happen. I will join the facebook community now. This is an outrage. Thanks for writing about it. Someone had to.

To the idiots who are into this that put all us “uptight” women down who “were ugly or have ugly kids” and are just “jealous” – get a brain if that’s all you got to say in defense for the most part. So you love it and your daughter’s love it. So do all the pervs out there. Enough said. Develop a real and broader social conscience beyond what makes you temporarily happy. Think of all the pervs attending your pageants, who may look like the guy next door – the father of your daughter’s little friend, etc….

Rae says:

Rae says:

It is horrifying. But I don’t think people realize that TLC isn’t doing this for giggles. That are documenting this. Exposing what’s happening. Is everyone aware of this now? yes. And you can tell by the way the clips are edited that TLC is against it too.
They’re showing it to the world for what it really is.”

——————–

OK. I will give it one watch to look at it from that angle. But the previews really disgusted me. I still don’t think it is a good idea to capitalize on it for any reason. The previews mostly show these girls dancing around like Brittany Spears and maybe one stupid parent clip and a bitchy little girl or two.

nooooo !!!
they dont edit it because they are against it , they edit it to make them look bad !! like i said before i’ve been there first hand and they do not show the positive side …. and if they see some one frown they edit that to look like a parent or child are mad at an out come …. wake up ….. you dont know unless you’ve been involved in one ,a natural or a glitz ….

I agree with the low blow the “learning channel” has become. I have a 9 year old girl.
She will be the most important thing in my life (of course). And I was discusted with a 30 second sight of the “toddlers and tiaras” show. I was in Iraq for 21 months and came home to be angry with the ways I see my country. (there are other reasons, but not important right now. We need to fight for the safety of the children of this country.) These Disturbing shows of selfish and discusting people exploiting their children to make money need to be cancelled! And if you think about it or wonder, Where did the discusting pediphiles come from?

sorry ! but these people are’nt making money off their kids… no money is involved to be on the show … like i said before it’s easy to talk negative when you have no idea how it really is.

This show, the entire concept of putting anyone…ESPECIALLY children on display like this is sick and incredibly warped!! These Moms are looking to feel better about themselves through thier kids. They are teaching them how to be shallow, superficial and careless. To be quite honest, they are dressed like little whores and these girls have NO clue how awful this is because their moronic parents are teaching them all the wrong things. I would imagine the only viewers are pedifiles!! The whole idea is creepy and flat out wrong!!

Ever notice how these moms are all southern backward thinking hicks…fat, ugly and tacky?! passing the trash down to their children! it IS child abuse. You are dressing your kids up for all the pedifiles out there!! that does not disturb you???!!

I watched it once, and I hated it! The girls dress,dance,look, and act like strippers and whores! They are spoiled rotten and care about nobody but themselves!

Children like beauty pageants.

To both Ashley and Ashlea: apparently the parents are sadly neglected in these pageants. Spelling, grammar and basic English sentence construction seem to indeed be a lost skill – you can still sound as dumb as a post but if you can make your kid looks like a stunted Barbie, then all’s right with the world. Looks only last so long – and plastic melts down way ugly – take a look in the mirror sometime.

Soo…Stephanie – your argument seemed sound and reasonable until “if my child chooses to do a glitz, then (like any other competition) she will do what is needed to “put on a great show”.” If your child decides to do cliff diving but can’t swim you’d let her? The reason these “glitz” competitions make people cringe is because minors are dressed up like adults, “tarted out” and paraded before adults to be judged on mostly adult criteria. This process does not seem to me to be developmental (as most of the other sports you mentioned are supposed to be) of mind, body or soul. It does not teach teamworking and the the plastic parts are not you. The dance lessons teach posture and give poise; the other sports build muscle tone and strength. So what benefit is truly derived from the competition itself? The trophies? It would have been more honest to say this in the first place than subject everyone else here to your apples and oranges diatribe against other sports. I’ve done a few pageants myself (and won a few, both as a child and adult)and can understand being so proud of your child you want the whole world to acknowledge it – an on that basis, nothing is wrong with child pageants; however, the very idea of glitz for kids makes me sick. You need to guide your daughter appropriately if that time comes – at some point you got to do your job and be the mom.

We agree that the show,”Toddlers and Tiaras” exploit children. We are appalled that little girls actually shave their legs! What hair can they possibly have? Wow! Mother’s and even Father’s show their children,mostly daughter’s,how to give a sultry, and seductive performance! Isn’t that suppossed to be reserved for an adult Vegas show, or an adult striptease! The operative word here is”Adult”. It is great that children are in activities that promote healthy self esteem, like athletics,music,cooking dance,academics,or games,etc. But when they only being judged on their looks and how they can “sell” themselves, that is just wrong! TLC is the learning channel, most of their shows are great and informational. The Duggars, Little People Big World and The Little Couple, are all shows that we can learn from. These are shows that teach us what it is like to be; a large family of 18(and counting), of being a family with a little couple, and a family of 3 average sized children, and one little child like themselves, and also, how a little couple who are recently married live. We can all learn from that. The only thing we can learn from Toddlers and Tiaras is that shows like this and/or even the pageants themselves are breeding grounds for children that will be exploited, abused, or abducted in the future. We hope not. The show is a pedophiles playground, and those who object are in the dark and so desperate to know or to be told how cute their child is. All children are precious! Children do not need all of the glitz and glamour! I am sure the beautiful Jon Benet Ramsey was being followed or stalked before her untimely demise. Parents wake up and TLC live up to your standards please!

I think

In my opinion, parents should be instilling values that aren’t typically represented in the beauty pageant scene. Parents should teach their children to love everyone, regardless of physical appearance. I find it so interesting that the parents who support these pageants accuse non-supporters of being ugly, or having ugly children. My daughter is beautiful, and she is happy with herself without having to compete in pageants. Self esteem and confidence does not come solely from winning pageants and beauty competitions. It comes from accepting one’s self as well as others. Beauty should come from the inside.

I just binged: “toddlers and tiarras outrage.” I just can’t believe that this program is being broadcast and on The Learning Channel, of all things. I can accept the stupidity of parents, who take advantage of their children. But, how can any reputable broadcaster and sponsor support this? Such a heartbreak.

I think this is the upmost disgusting thing a parent can do to thier child (little lone a toddler). I can’t even say how I hate it. I have only watched it once, and when the mother said, “…work it… work it hard… now pump that butt…” I cried for an hour for that child. She will probably be a teen mom because classmates who will see those pictures will already pin her as a slut. Alot of girls that are treated like a slut, they tend to be one, because they don’t feel there is no other way to get respect… teens have a really hard time with pressure (it confuses them). THIS SHOW IS SO GROSS!!!

I can’t believe this sterling mother. It is terribly obvious she favors one daughter over the others. This show is such a disapointment. TLC is truly exploiting these mothers…do they not realize the rest of the world is watching this and looking down on them?
Also- to the sterling mother- PLEASE recognize the fact that you gave birth to 5 daughters not 1. It is inapropriate to state aloud that one daughter is prettier than another…Someone should call DSS on you!

I think the mothers are disgusting.I feel sick

The mother of the 5 little girls is soooooo sick and mentally abusive to the one twin. It is disgusting. The father seems to be the sane parent and hopefully he will see the show and take charge like he did at the pageant. The mother of the 2 little boys is just a moron. A 2 week old baby with “stage prescence”???? Is she kidding??? I hope they do a reality show to follow up with these children in 10 years. Now that will be some good reality!!

I agree with Erin and Keller; that Sterling woman is horrible. Poor little Ashlynn (the unfavored twin) is probably going to grow up with low self esteem and self worth because she is always compared to her “prettier” twin sister. How heartbreaking to hear her mother obviously favour one sister over the other!
I’m so disappointed in TLC. It used to be a great, educational channel…now it seems like they find one new schtick after another and play it to death (i.e parents with a litter of children, little people, women who didn’t know they were pregnant).

After witnessing the behavior of the mother (and I use that term lightly) of the Sterling twins I don’t know how there isn’t isn’t a moral (or legal for that matter) obligation for the pageant directors or whomever to provide that woman with a psychologist of some sort to educate her on how damaging her behavior is and is going to be on Ashlynn in the long run. I’m sure if she were shown the endless footage of how she beams when she speaks of the favored daughter or when she’s on stage and how she never smiles, and looks away when Ashlynn performs she would see nothing wrong with it which saddens me so very much her constant put downs is enough to make the hardest heart cry. I just hope and pray this woman gets the professional help she so desperately needs and that someone steps up to give it to her. How people can sit by and watch this child abuse (emotional abuse). I don’t know we normal human beings know full well this little girl will grow up so emotionally scarred if somethings not done to help her. Why women like this are built to procreate I’ll never know!

I think it’s disgusting that parents live THEIR dreams through THEIR children. My daughter is BEAUTIFUL in my opinion, but I do not need to parade her on a stage in a $1000 gown for others to see how beautiful she is…in fact, with all the crap they do to those kids, their beauty is fake…and to do THAT (spray tans, eye lashes, make-up, etc…) to a child that young is abuse in my opinion…again, that is MY opinion! I would have hated my parents if they did that to me…let them be children!!!! LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO MICHAEL JACKSON BECAUSE HE WASN’T ALLOWED TO BE A CHILD!!!

My husband commented that the “outfits of choice” all looked like either Vegas dancers or strippers. He was right. Wow. How very sad for these kids who are looking to their parents to help them find their place in the world.

you dont understand i do pagents! they help with confidance! you learn interview skills if you compete in local pagents! in the pagents you see the little girls love being on that stage. in ice skating girls where a lot of make up! in baton they where a whole lot of make up and fake hair! so stop thinking people who do pagents are just pretty people that dont know anything! we do! also pagents help you get into good schools because you know how to conduct yourself
and you have the nessacy interview skills so stop and think about the pro’s of pagents it will out way the con’s now you say pagents girls are stupied i austyn wrote this and im only almost 13!

I watched the show once. I had to change the channel. I was so disgusted and I wanted to cry. I watched a mother who had twin girls. One girl she praised and said how beautiful and perfect she was and the other girl she put down so much I saw the little girl cry. The show made me sick. This is a form of child abuse. This should be banned.

My 6 year old daughter and I loved watching this show together. While the show is on she will make comments like “that little girl looks very old” or “that girl’s mommy seems mean” or “why are there always so many kids crying?”. The show with the Sterling twins is the first one I did not let her finish watching, she was getting upset (as was I) that the mommy seemed to like one daughter better. How sad that a child can see through the “bs” these people peddle about how great these pagents are for their children.
That said, I do think that TLC is only showing a very small portion of pagents, and these pagents also seem to be smaller and maybe on the fringe of the pagent society. Where are the natural pagents where kids are winning bonds for education?

I just watched the most recent episode and I must say the mother of the 4 girls 2 of which are twins is just a down right nasty person!! And not to mention she is gonna cause the one twin “with the bigger nose” as she called it to have a life time of resentment!!!! She obviously favors the other twin just look how down she is on the one “with the bigger nose” all I can say is WOW!!!

Unless you people flood TLC with these comments, nothing will ever be done. I challenge all of you to do just that. These parents are 1000X worse than the worst Little League dad I’ve ever seen. And shame on TLC for putting money into these mother’s pockets….

I had a daughter that competed in pageants from 18 months – 3 1/2 years. The ONLY time she wore any kind of make-up, she was just geting over a cold about three days before and I put powder on her face for a little color and I let her wear a littli bit of mascara – period. She lost interest in it thank goodness because at one pageant I saw the mother of an 18 month old jerking her daughter around and yelling at her to stop screaming and get on stage. The little girl turned away and her mother jerked her around hard and told her it wasn’t time to act like a toddler – this was business. Well, after I slapped that mother on the arm, I decided no more of this foolishness. Every single mom you see on that show are living through their children. Such a sad,sad world. I don’t know if ya’ll saw the episode this week, but one mother with twins says one girl looks like her and is the pretty one (supposedly this mom was a pageant winner) all the while the other twin notices this. I’m seriously thinking about call ing CPS

I did see that last episode and it really astounded me how little attention the little twin AshLynn was getting. After she came off the stage, her mom would say it was fine, nothing special. After the favored twin BriAnn came off the stage, she would say it was fantastic, amazing. And after Ashlynn recieved Director’s Choice award, the mom said “It didn’t even occur to me that one of my girls would win this… especially AshLynn.” That time when she called BriAnn the prettiest of her daughters sent me over the edge.

As a little kid, I really wanted to do pageants. But my dad refused to let me… and I know my mother would have never gone through with the fake teeth, tanning, hair, eyelashes, and all this terrible make-up. I have nothing against doing pageants all naturally because little girls are beautiful just the way they are. And does it bother anyone about how ‘talent’ category seems to be prancing around the stage in a revealing outfit, shaking their hips and all that? If anyone else has seen the commerical for the T&T special with that girl Tudy (I think her name was) about 12, I guess. That’s what these children are turning into.

Ok, I saw this show and I was like, “REALLY? I mean, SERIOUSLY?” I recently asked my mother about the pageants, since I wanted to do them when I was very little… she had a great point: A child doing a beauty pageant should be the equivalent of them playing princess or getting all dolled up to go to the Easter service at Church.
They should definitely not have fake tans, hair, eyelashes ect. If they insist on make-up then a bit of clear lip gloss is fine with me. If these kids want a tan, they should go outside and play in the summer sun. If these kids want pretty nails, they should have their mom paint them! This is all fine. None of it is fake. If a little girl wants to have her hair look special, have the grandma curl it or straighten it. If you want teeth: wait a few years, they’ll grow in. But the problem is: most of this is forced upon them by their mothers. I have no problem with a natural child with a loving mother competing in pageants. When the ‘glam’ moms say that it’s good for confidence… it’s not. A natural child doing pageants is fine because it tells them they are truly beautiful inside and out. When a fake child does beauty pageants, their mother is telling them that they are not beautiful the way they are… that they must be totally fake to even have a chance of winning the pageants. And have you noticed how the children that have all the glitz are usually the terrible, intolderable brats? Like Shelby said, that other episode coming up with that complete whore of a child, Tudy, really shows what these pageants do to most kids in the long run. It’s truly sickening to watch her. I know so many children that are so much prettier than these people on this show… because they are beautiful and well-developed children with confidence. And if you protest beauty pageants, you are often accused of having ugly children or being ugly yourself… but this is not true. A lot of the children on this show are not even gorgeous little beings because they are completely fake. That Tudy chick is not half as pretty as the natural little girls I see out at the mall with there moms and FRIENDS on the weekend.

Haha, Austyn… you spelled ’stupid’ wrong. I am 12, also, by the way.
And your completely wrong, in every way. There is a difference between pageantry and ice-skating. Girls practice long and hard to ice-skate in competitions. Most of them do not fake-tan, fake teeth, ect. Doing ice-skating can take you to the olympics… and beauty pageants may eventually lead to Miss America out of a one in a million chance and you practice long and hard to prance around the stage in an outfit way beyond your years to see who can look the sexiest. They also proclaim talent as running around the stage shaking your hips and waving your arms around. I’m not about to hear any of this crap about if you don’t support pageants, your ugly. These girls are having their childhood taking away from them because most of the rest of your life is about your looks. It says that the child isn’t beautiful the way they are, that they require almost every natural thing they have to be fake. Fake teeth, fake tan, fake eyelashes, fake nails, fake lips… some have even gone as far as BUTT GLUE AND FAKE EARS. Little girls are beautiful just the way they are. I had once seen a show where the little girl competed in a beauty pageant for the sole reason because people at school said she was ugly. And this only leads to more insecurity. And the people who say otherwise are not ugly.

I don’t know why you people hate pageants! Like it or not everywhere you go you’re judged. So get used to it. My daughter is 3 and is in pageants. She loves them! It’s just like any other sport. I love this show. And I love the look on my daughters face when she wins the huge trophy, sash, and 3 foot tall crown that won’t even fit on her head.She glows. That’s why we do them.

To the person who said that TLC was maybe coming from the angle of exposing these pageants rather than capitalizing on them for ratings: I say that if that were the case, they would not have to be hosting a whole series. I don’t find anything interesting about it anyway, just really socially lame and ignorant.

Oh, and Gabby, your ignorance astounding. Let’s hope some pedophile doesn’t fixate on your daughter. Objectification of little girls is no sport.

Hi,
I would just like to say that my daughter has done pageants since she was 8 months old. We do not participate in high glitz pageants like the ones on the show. We recently were sent to a state pageant for the forestry division . I was shocked!!! Thinking that this would be a more natural pageant I could not believe my eyes when all of the girls had fake hair and spray tanner. I hired a lady to do my daughters hair and make up. I had to wipe her face down to minimize her makeup which looked like a clown when she came from the makeup lady. Her hair was beautiful (and was all hers). She did not stand a chance against all of the little midget adults on the stage but she was beautiful to us. We will never participate in another pageant of that magnitude again. It is teaching the girls that they are not pretty enough to win as they are so they have to change everything about thier appearance. We will continue to do pageants at a local or regional level but the big circus is not for us!!!!

I would just like to say that I believe these pageants are truly disgusting. I am a fourteen year old girl who loves TLC, but everytime the previews for Toddlers & Tiaras comes on, I have to turn the channel. I cannot bear to watch these little girls prance around in skimpy clothes with their fake tanned stomachs showing. It sickens me.

To the mothers defending the pageants, saying that we must be ugly if we’re not supporting them, you are hypocrites. You say in one line, “Don’t talk about something you don’t know anything about!” and then in the next you call us ugly, or unpopular. You do not know us. And yes, we do not know you or the mothers on this show, but from anyone’s point of view this should be viewed as wrong. It is exploitation at its worst.

To Amber: You speak of Emily being jealous, and how it must make her feel big to insult your children. You should be ashamed of yourself. You are a mother, and Emily is a fourteen year old girl. You also have no room to talk, as you insulted her.

I may create an account just to join this Facebook community. I do not support these “glitz” pageants. I do not support Toddlers & Tiaras. If you have watched this show, or even caught the previews, you have seen how some of these children act. They are brats who believe they can insult and yell at their parents.

Some of the parents on this show are sickening as well. The posters who support this show have said that the children WANT to do these pageants. Why then do the parents become so competitive? If it is their child’s dream, why do they yell at them when they do not win first place? It is disgraceful for a parent to treat their children that way. In the end, if you win first place in one of these “glitz” pageants, all you recieve is a crown, trophy, flowers, etc. And it’s all from being fake.

To the mothers who allow their children to participate in “natural” pageants, thank you. Thank you for not giving your children, and other children who see them, ideas that they should be fake to be beautiful.

Toddlers and Tiaras makes me sick! I just saw an episode in which they gave away puppies as prizes! WHAT! Puppies are HUGE RESPONSIBILITIES…NOT PRIZES! Getting a puppy is a huge decision. I can’t belive they gave away a living animals as prizes. Again, this show is plain SICK.

I just finished watching the July 29th airing of Toddlers and Tiaras, and I was shocked by one 10 year old girl in particular. She went by the “stage” name of Tootie. She is a pretty girl, but her attitude towards her mother any other human being is disgraceful. If my children acted the way this little girl acted, they would be disciplined on the spot. She believes that she is the best, and even states that in the show. There is a difference between having self-confidence and being arrogant. To her mother, I say this: It is probably too late now because “Tootie” has been brought up to think that the world revolves around her, to do anything. To me she has been turned into a selfish, arrogant brat. If this what being in a pageant does her, then she needs to be excluded from future ones. It doesn’t matter how pretty you are, if all people see in you is an ugly attitude of ‘everything is about me’!

I am sorry to be judgmental but these parents appear to be overweight, low IQ mountain folk who are trying to gain fame on the backs of their pretty children.

Though subtle this is purely child abuse. Why is it legal? Pity the children born into this unfortunate situation of on-going abuse and exploitation.

For katrina L……. you are are so wrong , first of all ice skaters, models, actors , actresses,etc… wear make up,fake hair,etc…
also these kids put in long hours to learned and practice certain ways to walk to turn smile etc… in each catagory you have to learn a different rutine , for talent , most of these girls take dancing, ballet,tap,gymnastics, singing to be in talent….and they learn how to interview at a young age (3 yrs.old.)so they have confidence in their self ,so when they are of working age it is nothing to them…..also for the person that said they were shocked to know some shave their legs, i was a swimmer ,at 10 i shaved my legs to compete ( swimmers shave the whole body , so whats the difference……just easier for you to bash people about something you have no idea about

Also one more thing , when these kids do interview with the judges they dont have any make-up or anything they have to do it natural , and thats for the glitz pageants too .

oh one more thing katrina L. i know your 12 , so you should know that when the kids are up there doing their rutine , they are not trying to be the sexiest one up there , they are trying to be the one with the best rutine and the sharpest one with no mistakes , because those judges like in any competition are giving you points for certain thingss they are looking for…just like in iceskating,gymnastics , diving , all those others sports……. It has nothing to do with being sexy.

I agree… this show is disgusting. I just caught a re-run of the pageant with the twin girls whose mother had them compete against one another. She was HORRIBLE! Through the whole episode she consistently put one up on a pedestal while putting the other down. You could see the effects of the woman’s poor parenting written all over the poor child’s face. Not to mention in the behavior of the twin she was constantly promoting. She even admitted at the end that she “Never figured (name) would win anything.” How gross!!! MOST of the behavior I have seen from these pageant mom’s and dad’s borders on abuse.

Just watched the August 7th viewing of the show. A few words to describe the mother’s attitude toward one of her twin daugthers… DISGUSTING. APPALLING. SAD. Thank the good Lord for the father in this family. He seems to be the only voice of reason. The emotional damage being done to this child will not be easily corrected. Am praying for the whole family.

P.S.- @ Katrina L.

You go honey! Thought your comment was awesome!

What I am learning from this show is how lucky I am to be living in a country where we do NOT go in for these sorts of displays (at least not that I know of). It makes me sad to see beautiful little girls all gussied up to look like walking Barbie Dolls, instead of being taught that they are beautiful just as they are. No child of mine will ever take part in such a travesty, not while I walk the earth (and even when I’m under it).

I am so disturbed by the Sterling Mother. How could she treat her own child AshLynn so cold and treat BreAnn like a queen. It was so hard for me to watch “Toddlers & Tiaras” because of the twins mother. I could already see how AshLynn desired her mother’s attention, which she didn’t get, and how BreAnn didn’t have to do anything to get her mother’s attention. How could the father sit back and allow this to happen. As a parent and teacher, I just don’t see how a parent could treat their own flesh & blood the way Mrs. Sterling treated her child. I think AshLynn needs to be removed from that household. I wanted to SLAP Mrs. Sterling for her ignorant behavior towards AshLynn at the Beauty Pageant. Her body language was aweful. I am so glad the father took BreAnn out of the pageant when she started acting like a BRAT! But, he needs to set his wife straight about the TWINS! I’m going to pray for AshLynn because that child is being treated like a step-child. I’m not really in favor of the show. I think it puts a negative spin on child Beauty Pageants.

This show is terrible for young girl’s self esteem!

I am watching this show for the first time and it is making my skin crawl. This is disgusting I wonder how many pedafiles watch this show

Just finished watching my first (and last) episode of Toddlers and Tiaras featuring the mother of the Sterling twins and blonde little Eden ( $3000 for a dress!!! – I wouldn’t spend that on a wedding dress). It was very disturbing to see girls being brought up like this in this day and age. How sad for them! Though I thought the Sterling mother lacked sensitivity and any sense of compassion, she must have done something right to have a precious child like Ashlynn. This child seemed to be centered enough to show compassion and a sense of love that her sibling and mother seem to be devoid of. How does that happen? Maybe through adversity. The only thing that I have “learned” from this show is that people come from all kinds of parents. If TLC’s goal was to show me that there are actually parents raising their children like this, they succeeded in shocking me.

The girls are total spoiled brats and you can clearly see that…example, a girl finishes a drink, rolls her eyes at her mother and says “GET ME ANOTHER ONE.”
What a jack ass!!
You think it builds confidence? I think it teaches a false sense of “entitlement” and makes for one hell of an UGLY child.
These spoiled kids roll their eyes and throw fits to get what they want.
All these so called “competitions” do is show these kids how to be friendless, spoiled, bratty JERKS.
Disgusting.
I agree too that child predators are LOVING that there are parents actually dumb enough to allow their kids to parade on stage for them to salivate over.
How repulsive to care more about money and your own “missed dreams”, than to care about raising your child the RIGHT way.
SICK SICK SICK.

I can’t believe this show. The mothers are the biggest fattest hogs on the planet and daddy participants just SOOOO gay. I can’t get over it. Dysfunctional all the way.

My 8 year old does beauty pageants and has since she was 17 months old. She has taken a small break and came back full force and ready to go begging and pleading me to let her enter them again. I do beleive it could cause harm to some, but it is all where your priorties lay. I am not overly competitive at all and let my daughter know that as long as she does the best she can do, crown or no crown, I am proud of her. As far as being a pediphiles dream, I’m not sure about that BECAUSE a pediphile wants a CHILD, not a child looking like adults.

Grow up Beth. Perverts are everywhere and when you exploit your child on world TV you had better not be surprised by the consequences. This is how life is and it’s frightening. When a child is dressed like a whore, does body gestures like a whore then she will attract the worst. Parents of these children are pimps for money, for cars, for fame and even for puppies. A horrible abuse that must be stopped for the sake of the child.

Oh My God! Pure sleaze. Never seen anything like it in my life. Why is this legal? Would someone please call child protection services. These parents should be doing jail time. Only in the USA does this filth happen and it is filth and gives the USA an even worse image than it already has.
Save the children from child labor and abuse!

MediaCurves.com just conducted a study with 300 viewers of a video featuring the recent controversy surrounding child beauty pageants. The results showed that the majority of viewers reported that “disturbed” and “sad” were the emotions the felt most while watching the video. The study found that 84% of viewers reported that they felt the long-term effect on contestants was negative. For more in-depth results, please visit http://www.mediacurves.com/Culture/J7495-pageants/Index.cfm.
Thanks,
Ben

To those parents talking about how their children are fine and they enter them in ‘natural’ pageants… Good. That’s not what people are frightened of, so I don’t know why you are taking offense. If you aren’t dolling your little girl up to look as grown-up and stripperish as possible you aren’t who we are talking about.

To those who DO that, and think it’s healthy and cute, WTF is wrong with you? Those who say ‘DON’T DISS IT BECAUSE U WERENT CUTE’ are clearly shallow people who only value beauty, and therefor shitty parents. How is my own looks when I was a child even relevant? Cover a kid in makeup, fake hair, fake teeth, fake tans, fake eyelashes and she’ll look as pretty as any doll. Have her prance around in bikinis and make her as sexy as possible and she’ll win your sick contests.

If you look past how pretty you think your little doll is, maybe you’ll see how wrong it is to try to make any child look sexy for any reason. Cute is one thing. But these children are sexualized on purpose, made to look like adults on purpose. That’s going to screw your kid up in ways you’ll probably never even know, because it’ll be kept secret from you.

I only saw one episode, but what disturbed me were the male judges, as most if not all are obviously pedophiles. I am appalled that parents could be so blind as to allow those children in the same room as these men, let alone judging them on whether they are pageant material.

I strongly feel that pageants should not be publicized, because there is no doubt in my mind that they are being watched by pedophiles. Dangerous, dangerous stuff.

The fact that the show is on TV is sick, but these horrible pageants would be going on regardless. I guess it’s an eye-opener, to see a part of the human experience that it completely absurd, but once is enough. All the parents on the show are pathetic. How about spending time and money on filling your kids’ heads with real knowledge, and give them useful experiences? Or are you just trying to churn out more bubble-headed plastic morons like yourselves? Yuk.

I am all for parents helping their children fulfill dreams they may have but this show is RIDICULOUS!!!!! There is no way a 9 month old baby has the dream of being in beauty pageants! This is all about the parents. Hey, I agree with parents thinking their child is the most beautiful (I myself feel that very same way about my daughter) But I most certainly would not be sleezing her up, fake tanning, fake teething her and yelling at her to quit acting like a child on stage, when that is exactly what these little ones are…………KIDS! Let them be kidlets for crap sakes and quit living through your children. Let them play, have fun, get dirty and goof off. That is what being young is all about. I look forward to my sweetheart playing in the back yard and riding her bike with buddies! After all the whole grown up thing comes way to fast!
BACK OFF you psycho pageant parents and get a life of your own!!!!

Wow, I’m glad people for the most part
disagree with this. These kids are being
taught that what others think is
important. Most women spend a lifetime
trying to get away from that thinking.
The only person who will judge my
childrens attractiveness is themselves.
The ONLY person who counts is you! What
goes through a 6 yr. old’s head when her
name isn’t called? You tell me. Natural
beauty is a little okay. What if your
child is just plain “unattractive.”How
should they feel when society chooses
“pretty” all the time?! I agree w/
the statement about BLIND judges.
I’m not ignorant, I know everyone judges on
appearances to some degree, but we should
not MAGNIFY looks in society. Teach children
self love (not egomania though)…
Just my thoughts..

I was in a pageant some 40 years ago. I was about 4 or 5 and I recited Shakespeare for my “talent”. I was dressed to the nines with long flowing hair (natural) and no makeup. The girl who won was dressed in an old green jumper and I don’t remember what her “talent” was. But, she was the daughter of the mayor! After the competition, everyone told my Mom that I should have won. That was the one and only pageant that I was ever in. The experience soured my folks so much that when my sister came along, pageants weren’t even discussed. I don’t think that being in one pageant hurt or enhanced my professional skills. I was a debater and won scholarships for public speaking. I think that pageants can be fun for both parents and children, but the line should be drawn at sexualizing young children. Why does a young girl need to look like a “baby prostitute”? Kids are adorable without makeup, spray tans, and fake nails. In fact, I don’t use spray tans or fake nails myself! I think that society is sending the wrong messages to these children.

I would slap my daughter & son in law silly if they ever tried to put one of my grands on display like this. And how can some of these folks afford all this? Saddens me to see these youngsters miss out on being a kid cause Mom wants to fullfil a life long dream.

I agree. When did TLC get so trashy?

This show is disgusting.. The parents are disgraceful, and the makeup and outfits are disgraceful. Don’t these people realize how damaging this is for their children? I bet this show has all the pedophiles glued to the T.V. Oh, I notice that most of the parents posting to defend their actions can’t even spell or punctuate. Perhaps they are trying to build their own low self-esteem through their children. Too bad they aren’t entering their kids in reading and writing contests, or science fairs. These parents are breeding the next generatiion of ignorant, dull witted brats. God help us.

Shocking “show.” Shame on TLC for airing what I consider to be child abuse in the extreme. These women live a vicarious life through their children, with no sense of values what so ever. Nothing more nor less than child abuse, not to mention spoon-feeding child abusers!

The only people making money on T&T are the owners of the pageants, promoters, and TLC. The parents are spending more money on entrance fees, outlandish costumes, hair extensions, makeup, false nails, tanning etc. than they will ever make on cash or bonds for their child’s so-called future education. These parents, primarily women, are usually from a lower socio-economic class with little or no education and low self-esteem. It’s extremely difficult to get through to ignorant people and make them realize how destructive they are towards their children. I couldn’t believe it when I saw the mom shaving her daughter’s eyebrows! God help all of those abused children.

I’ve read through a lot of these comments, and I have to say I’m really happy to see the vast majority of people refuse to put their child through this. I see no beauty in slapping three inches of make up on already perfect skin. Any kid is pretty when you throw so much make up on them that you can’t see their face!

Because of the comments I have realized that there is a line with pageants. I see no problem with pageants as long as the children aren’t done up like the show. The natural pageants people have been talking about seem like a positive thing, if done properly on the parents part. I find it’s the parents who are overly competitive, and the children are left to take the brunt of the parents frustration, which to me is completely uncalled for.

I’m disappointed in the comments to the mothers who are calling posters who disagree with pageants ugly. What difference does it make if a person believes that pageants are bad, regardless of how they look? Does that mean information from a pretty person is better than that of someone who isn’t?

To Kara, I completely agree with your comment, even the remarks made to other posters.

The mothers of those little girls are all fat disgusting slobs. Look at Jayden’s mother. What PIGS YOU ARE. YOU SHOULD ALL BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES, AND EITHER SHOT OR PUT IN JAIL.

OMG i watched this show, Pedators are watching and waiting , This is a twisted, watching babies dressed up as strippers, mothers showing how to shake there bodies in a way that is very distrubing to see in a child .
Most of the Mom’s are very overweight and trying probably to live through there children. Sending out a very strong message to all that its all about winning and as long as you look pretty thats all that counts. Even some of the mom’s get very upset with there children when they dont win and have attitudes of indifference. This is child abuse they are not old enough to even know what they are doing. The mothers need to seek therapy. This is exploitation, they seem to be in the dark about pedators, they are putting there child at a high risk…

I was watching a documentary regarding toddlers between the ages of two and five competing in beauty pageants. Personally, I find this practice repulsive and wish toddler beauty pageants would be banned. Young children should not be forced to wear expensive jewelry, costumes, dresses, grown-up hairstyles, make-up, jewelry and be spray tanned. When the parents are interviewed, many claim that their children “love” participating in these pageants. Young children do things to please their parents — they “love” it because their caretaker(s) reinforce this behavior. I also noticed that many of the children cried and had temper tantrums before going on stage. They did not appear to enjoy what they were doing. I also ponder about the self images of the children who do not win these competitions.

I wonder whether forcing a child to be in a pageant could be considered a form of child abuse. Frankly, I do not like beauty pageants in general, but young adults have the capacity to decide whether they want to compete. In addition, some young adult pageants like Miss America offer some scholarships based on intelligence, talent and beauty. While I personally do not like the message that pageants send regarding women, I do respect an adult’s right to choose to compete.

If adults want to increase their own sense of self-worth, let them do things to increase their own self-esteem instead of living their lives through their young children.

I was watching a documentary regarding toddlers between the ages of two and five competing in beauty pageants. Personally, I find this practice repulsive and wish toddler beauty pageants would be banned. Young children should not be forced to wear expensive jewelry, costumes, dresses, grown-up hairstyles, make-up, jewelry and be spray tanned. When the parents are interviewed, many claim that their children “love” participating in these pageants. Young children do things to please their parents — they “love” it because their caretaker(s) reinforce this behavior. I also noticed that many of the children cried and had temper tantrums before going on stage. They did not appear to enjoy what they were doing. I also ponder about the self images of the children who do not win these competitions.

I wonder whether forcing a child to be in a pageant could be considered a form of child abuse. Frankly, I do not like beauty pageants in general, but young adults have the capacity to decide whether they want to compete. In addition, some young adult pageants like Miss America offer some scholarships based on intelligence, talent and beauty. While I personally do not like the message that pageants send regarding women, I do respect an adult’s right to choose to compete.

If adults want to increase their own sense of self-worth, let them do things to increase their own self-esteem instead of living their lives through their young children. How do you feel about this issue?

CAN YOU JUST FOR A MOMENT IMAGE THE RISK YOU ARE EXPOSING YOU SWEET CHILD TOO. THE PEDATORS ARE WATCHING YOUR CHILD IN THERE STRIPPER OUTFITS AND PLEASURING THEMSELVES AS THEY ARE WATCHING YOUR CHILD ON TV. TO ME THAT IS CHILD ABUSE. JUST GO TO http://WWW.OFFENDERSEARCH.COM PUT IN THE ADDRESS WHERE YOU ARE AND SEE FOR YOURSELVE’S. THEY ARE EVERYWHERE AND THEY ARE WATCHING YOUR CHILD.

Hello I am wondering how old dose the girls have to be to be a Toddler and Tiara because my little girl is 11 and she realy would like to WIN so can you please send me back ASAP

KISHA QUALLS

The show really has to go, it is a pedophiles dream show.
These mother’s should get a life and stop using their daughters as a Barbie.

I have seen earlier shows and thought them fairly harmless… but tonight’s show is horrifying.
The brunette mother of a blonde ADD child is disgusting. This is not parenting… it’s using your child to fill voids in your own pathetic life.
That woman should be shot.

Like it or not folks, this is Big Business. These pagents go on every week in some little nook in the country. These Mommies and some of the daddy’s, live and breath this controversial society. What I don’t understand is that the cash price, and only one is given, doesn’t begin to pay for the money it costs to get these girls into pagent mode. My own opinion is that children are beautiful in their natural state. Once glitzed up, none of the children I have seen on this show, even come close to being recognizable. I also notice that most of the Mommy’s are “Hard on the Eyes”. So many are morbidly obese, need a haircut and color and how about a new dress for Mommy? There are so many other ways for the girls to achieve confidence and self-esteem. I think that, since the shows will be going on anyway, that more attention should be paid to “talent”. And I think the fake hair, the flippers and the spray tans should be banned. These girls should be made to fell comfortable in their own skin and be proud of that missing tooth.

This show is disgusting. These parent are teaching their girls that it is all about how you look, not what kind of person you are. By the time they put on the make-up, fake hair, fake teeth, fake tan, etc. they look nothing like themselves. Some of those girls look like streetwalkers. The moms are trying to live some kind of fantasy life through their kids. And the people who enter infants are ridiculous. Seems like TLC is getting in the business of exploiting kids for ratings and money. I for one do refuse to watch anything on this channel anymore.

Sick, sick, sick….this is as close to televised chlld abuse as you’ll get. These people represent the absolute worse in parenting. Be responsable, boycott any sponsor of this obscene show.

fsad

Just about every cable channel has declined in programming in a rabid pursuit of lowest common denominator ratings chasing. The Learning Channel’s pandering with these junior beauties is no surprise.

The History Channel used to have solid documentaries on various major wars, inventions, industry, technology, etc., but now just runs documentaries on pawn shops and guys driving trucks on ice. VH-1 and its Classics sister channel used to run a fair amount of videos but have muck like Rock of Love on half the time.

The decline of our broadcasting and other media are also a deeper sign of decline of the United States empire. In every sector — economic, industrial, political, cultural — the US is falling apart. Our TV trash is but one sign that our time as a superpower and mighty empire is about to pass. The era of the Fat, Dumb and Happy American has arrived.

People make way to big of a deal over these pageants. Everyone screaming, “Kiddy Porn, Kiddy Porn!” They over use and miss-use the term, “Kiddy Porn” for when you find a nicth to disagree. It ain’t kiddy porn! Kiddy porn is pictures of naked Children in sexual acts. If you want to hollar your over used term, “Kiddy Porn” Never buy your daughter a bathing suit to go to the pool, never let your daughter out the house, because after all, she is wearing a bathing which might be too revealing to someone eles standards, and they will tell you, “Kiddy porn” and your a bad parent for letting your daughter wear a swimsuit; because after all some pedophile might be looking at her. Got to watch the pedophiles, then put a damn blanket over your childs head to so no one will have impure thoughts for god sakes! Use the term, “Kiddy Porn” correctly or shut up! Maybe adult pageants could be pornography for that matter, better turn off the televison sets. Do not send your kids to a public school because after all how kids dress these days might be, “Kiddy Porn” for your child to see it or adults. Shave your daughters head and put her in a monk rob so nobody will think prehaps how you dress your kids might be your over-used “Kiddy Porn” term. I about forgot no more kids should be in the JcPenny’s magazine or any modeling for that matter inculding the swimsuit area, because JcPenny’s might be promoting, “Kiddy Porn” and that might be to disgusting as well. No more child models period because we do not want the Pedophiles looking at them and get blamed for child pornography. See how dumb you all get with your bitchin’! If you are going to bitch about the child pageants; then you better be setting up blogs and anti-websites to put a ban of any girl under the age of 18 wearing a bikini or swimsuit. Otherwise shut up!

What the ? How did commenters responding to this article wind up getting all upset about the nature of the show’s content? Technically the original article’s premise is taking issue with TLC supposedly, through the distribution of this series, not upholding its principle as the “Learning Channel”, not the moral quality of the family lives documented.

As a presentation it strikes me as educational. Documentaries are works which attempt to capture and reflect a specific aspect of the culture/natural world/society etc. they are born from, ultimately presenting a audio/visual work that stands as educational regarding its topic. I don’t see at all why watching an episode of this series doesn’t serve exactly that purpose, and in years to come, will survive through computer-age storage devices for future generations to witness if they so choose to.

Toddlers and tiaras show is an example of disgraceful child abuse. It makes my stomach turn when I see promo clip of the show. It’s disgusting how those parents exploit their children. They compensate their own frustrations by employing their children in such an appalling manner. You can see on those children faces are forced to participate in this shameful, freaky show. Simply disgusting!!!

TLC is a television network… the only thing they are interested in is money.
Obviously T&T is bringing in the viewers.. if only once out of curiousity or more due to obsessions.

I do not agree at all with pagents of any kind, especially toward young children who are sponges and absorb whatever adults teach them.. vaues etc.

I read all of the above comments and those that either participated in or have their children participate seem to all have said that they did not compete in the same ones shown on TLC.

TLC also does edit.. and big time edit.. they show ONLY what sells… sex sells.. abusive relationships sell.. anything bad/ immoral or wrong sells.. just look at the ratings of Jon and Kate plus 8 after they broke up….
I have no doubt that some of these parents shown have huge issues to deal with, but I’m sure if we met them in ‘real’ life they would not be as bad as shown on tv.. same goes with the spoiled/ nasty kids they show.. we are only seeing a 5minute blurb of this person.

I agree! What exactly are we learning from TLC these days? All they have are crappy shows about dysfunctional people! Where has all the learning gone and why are they exploiting kids? Between this sick mess of Toddlers, tiaras and Jon & Kate+Hate, dumb wedding shows and all the other garbage TLC has in it’s lineup any learning is totally gone! It is a channel for people with a low IQ…BOYCOTT TLC UNTIL THEY BRING THE LEARNING BACK!!!

These girls are going to go through so much disappointment and huge problems when they encounter the real world…

NO television network should be making money off of this show – it should be BANNED (along with all kid´s beauty pageants)…

Yeah these pagents might teach the child skills needed in life, but thats what the parents are for. You don’t need to put your child half naked with fake tan, teeth and make-up caked on their faces to give them those skills. Nor do you need to do it to give them self confidence. You are also teaching yor children that its ok to be judged by others and that beauty is not on the inside. Half of the parents do it to either be in spotlight themselves or to be able to brag how “beautiful” their child is (kind of like the loosers who try and make their “pitbulls” agreesive so they can be the one with the biggest balls in their group of friends)and the other half “allow” their children to do it instead of learning how to say no to them. If its the kids that are the ones who want to do it, then how do the they even know about these pagent? Its not like a sport where a child comes home from school and wants to enroll in soccer school or something. Obviously, the parents are the ones that introduce pagents to the children. These pagents like the ones on TLC or not just “dress-up”, its sexualizing innocent children. And you should be worried about the people are viewing them in that light. There is a difference between putting your kid on tv or on a stage in a bikini, shaking her butt and walking through a mall. So sad.

My biggest problem with the show was the season finale (on October 21, 2009). What mother tells her pre-teen daughter that she needs to go on a diet?! That is absolutely ridiculous, and a horrible thing to do. She’s a pretty little girl no matter what her size is, and that’s what her mother should be telling her.
Oh! And Mel C. the Duggars “are giving the country really bad ideas about having WAY too many kids for Mother Earth to sustain” is a load of garabage. First off, they are religious people (and good for them to have something to believe in). They have their children because they believe their God will allow them to have as many children as he sees fit. And by the way, people die everyday…it kinda evens out. Especially since she has to wait a few months before the next pregnancy. Evens out, don’t ya think?

First off…I’m so sick of people putting down every pageant. All of them are not side shows. Second of all, my daughter filmed ‘Little Miss Perfect’ in the summer and I will tell you, this is mostly staged. I was there and seen it first hand. T&T and shows of the like do it for RATINGS. They know those of you who complain will watch anyway, though you are so appauled by what you see. Don’t like pageants…then don’t let your child do them and change the channel on your TV. It’s just that simple. And yes, there is money involved for those who are featured in the shows you can’t stand to look at. It’s TV people!! Just like your soaps, WWE and the rest of the reality shows.

My suggestion to all of you is to pay the 5-15$ it costs to get into a pageant. Go to one natural and one glitz and really see what goes on there. Then go to a dance recital or cheering competition. See any difference? I have been to both and seen more make up on the kids there than at most pageants.

Relax a little. To each his own. If people want to make up their kids, then it’s their business. They will be the one who has to deal with it. I sleep good at night knowing my child is a natural beauty and we have thousands of dollars in bonds to prove it.

Simply the most disturbing show on television!

To “a natural pageant mum”.
First of all: Yes, I do believe that beauty pageants for children (ESPECIALLY glitz) should be banned.
There were no beauty pageants for kids where I grew up; we still managed to have a lot of self esteem (maybe even more than a lot of the kids in these pageants).

Why the sudden need for parents to PROVE that their children are beautiful – when every child is beautiful in his or her own way?

I respect your opinion, Monica, but, I don’t put my daughter in “natural” pageants to prove she is beautiful. She IS beautiful. My daughter was very shy and clingy and this has helped her a lot. We have met a lot of friends, plus gained bonds….not cash for college. They are educational bonds, so, that is what they will be used for. Some parents take the money, for whatever reason. We did win a 700$ mall gift card one time and I took my daughter on a shopping spree (since the card had to be used in THAT mall and we were out of town). Everything she bought was for her and her baby sister. I’m not doing this to make money, like some here have accused some moms of. Everyone does not fall under the same catagory.

A lot of people don’t realize that most beauty pageants are not based on BEAUTY only. They are based on personality, poise, etc. Just like any other football, baseball, basketball, tumbling class, dance class, ballet and the like, pageants are a sport of sorts. I do not like glitz pageants, but, they are out there and it’s a business for some.

I’m just asking you to accept that people have the right to put their children in pageants, just like I accept your decision not to. I doubt it will be banned, but, your opinion is your opinion and I respect it.

Ok, heres my take on this and to the Ya sayers in the group and even the Na sayers, everyone needs to look at this aspect.

I am a former correntional officer of a state prison that housed mainly pedophiles. BTW, I just got through with leaving TLC a piece of my mind in this regards.

That said, can anyone think of which T.V. program alot of these inmates tuned into each week? Words like “HoT” being thrown around ( to put it mildy ) make me sick. As it should make anyone sick to hear such things about toddlers and even older kids.

I’m not a church goer and I’m not going to preach to anyone hear. But people need to start actually thinking about what they do and how the world protrays them. Not in the sense of “how do I look”, but “what hazards are out there not only for me, but my family”.

This isn’t 1950-1960 anymore where you could tell your children to walk to the store, taking the short cut after dark and know they would come back. People seriously need to wake up to todays age where the “preditors” are starting to catch up to the “pray” in numbers.

Just look for yourself. http://www.nsopw.gov/Core/Conditions.aspx This is the national sex offender registry and you can serch your town and see how many and whatnot.

Just take a second to do this if you insist on putting your children through an event like this.

To Amber:

My god woman, you have shown true personality here. “I don’t care if the show is for Molesters”? That is such a horrible statement to make its beyond any reasonabily civil response and seriously, I would have to say thank you for not being near me when syaing that.

That said, you seem to be living life with blinders on. Do you really think the molesters are so far away that no harm could ever come to your children? Look, I’m a pretty big man and yet being a former correctional officer I worry “daily” about my daughter. I try to think of ways I can not only keep her safe now, but when she grows up ( she is 2 at the moment ).

Parading her around on stage, and in some instances in extremely revealing bathing suites, is not a good way to do so. I’m not saying keep them in a box until they are 18, far from it. But a little forethought into exposure goes a long way.

You sound like someone who hasn’t grabbed a full grasp of life yet, in other words you sound like a young mom ( late 20’s at the most). Hell, I’m only in my 30’s, but I also have an awareness you obviously don’t. You really need to start thinking about your children before making such rash comments like the one I quoted. That was not only in poor taste but seemed extremely childish and to be honest if that is truely the way you feel, well then it just goes to show that you are willing to put your daughters in harms way and perhaps you aren’t the best person to look after them.

Not saying all pageants are like this, but the point was she blantanly stated she didn’t care if molesters got their rocks off ( basically ) from watching pageants in which, who knows her daughters could be taking place in. Seriously, bad bad bad mom. You need to re-evaluate what you feel is dear and sacred to you, because its rather obvious, its not your daughters, but your own self esteem.

I’M JUST SICK OF IT! “I hate pageants this” and “I hate pageants that!” Here’s a clue: JUST SHUT-UP! OMG how could they let their kid wear that make-up? Well it’s not your kid! Get over it! And I’m also hearing I was watching Toddlers and Tiaras yesterday, it was disgusting! I keep watching that show… stop there! If you hate the show, there is absolutely no reason to watch it. Flip, flip, flip through channels. Ooh! I hate this show, how about I watch it! That’s just really stupid. And also I hear OMG! Who would spend so much money on a dress and spray-tans, false eyelashes, and shoes? It’s not like it’s your money. And it’s not like you can scream into the TV, “Hey lady, don’t do that to your kid anymore!” She won’t hear you and even if you were actually talking to her, I bet you a dollar she wouldn’t listen. That’s what they wanna do, that’s what their kid wants to do and you’re NOT gonna stop them. My goodness, shouldn’t adults know that? Gosh, all you gotta do is deal with it – and stop watching the show if you can’t stand it. This is really annoying. Haven’t you ever heard of ‘If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all’? Geez, you people are old, didn’t they tell you that phrase during the Great Depression? And why ban the show? I love it! If you don’t like the show, don’t watch it. Its called OTHER CHANNELS! Duh!

Its NOT like its your kid! These kids wanna do this and so you dont like it. Its not your kid, its not your money, and not affecting YOUR life? Did pageants lose your job? NO! Did pageants make your family have to move to a cardboard box on the street? NO! These kids wanna do this! Why cant you let them? Its people like you who are gonna make pageants gone and all these girls (and boys) are gonna have to find something new to do. Thanks to you! Just shush! So what I am 11 and Im telling you that. Your the one saying “BANN PAGEANTS! THEYRE DISCUSTING!” I think your discusting Mrs. ‘This Show is Sick! Why would you do that to your kid!’
Top That Mrs. Thang!

Read this about Tootie from the Queens aand Kings of America episode (you probably know who she is sincce people like you do stupid stuff and watch the shows you hate– thats stupid)

Lately, Jezebel and lots of other sites have been talking about a 10 year old brat—Miss Madison “Tootie” Berg. Get this – she is just a kid! You don’t need to trash her online where she (or her mom, or her dad who happens to be in military, I think) could see it. Smart thinking! What if she just looks up Tootie Berg and finds all that garbage! Jezebel even called her a rude name – a B! Grown-ups are supposed to be mature for their age. But calling a 10 year old girl a B name is just CRUEL!

Next, I don’t see how her Native American dance was offensive. I am Native American (I am also 11 and LOVE to watch pageants – that’s why I am standing up for poor Tootie) and I was NOT offended in any way! Are you Native American, Miss “She is completely cheesy and not only was her Indian dance offensive to dancers but to Native Americans”? How do you know Tootie is not Native American? I have a Native American friend and she has blonde hair and blue eyes.

So what if she doesn’t care about the other girls? She wants to win! I’m sure you’d feel the same way if you were in a pageant. When I am at dance competitions, I don’t care about anyone besides me, my team, and most of all—ME! When competing in a competition, you wanna win don’t you???!!!

So she doesn’t know if she was excited or not. BIG WHOOP! She wanted to win + She didn’t win = she’s sad and she is gonna say some stuff along the lines of “I dunno mom” but that is all I can think of. This was her big break on TV and she didn’t win the pageant. She’s probably angry, sad, and embarrassed. And also, Jezebel, how do you know she was told she was beautiful and did a wonderful job. I’ve seen that episode like a million (6 to be exact) times and didn’t hear than once!

So what she smirked? Why make a big deal out of it? Once the camera lady asked “How was your competition”, she replied with “I dunno. I don’t care about ‘em.” Then she smirked. I see nothing wrong. Maybe she thinks she is slick like you had said but why don’t you ask her?

Overall, I think Tootie did a wonderful job. Her rock wear was amazing and her costume was adorable! Divisional Supreme Queen, Best dressed-Rockstar Winner, 1st Runner Up Supermodel, Portfolio Winner, Prettiest Eyes, Prettiest Hair, All American Wear Winner, Overall Natural Photogenic Winner is A LOT of stuff to win. So she didn’t win the whole pageant. I think she should have but she still did an amazing job. Keep up the good work, Tootie!
This was my article on Tootie. If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all!

Apperantly you have missed some of my points and have chosen to only focus on those that just don’t like the pagents.

That said, my points are not only valid, but factual. If I said something in my post that offended you personally, well then since I did state it as about PC as I could, the problem is yours and not mine.

Furthermore, you can’t honestly tell me that these moms that have the “if you don’t like pagents or agree with me, then your ugly and your whole family is ugly as well” is by any means a valid arguement. Let alone an arguement that is not the mentality that of a child in itself.

I’m not against pagenst. What I am against is the exploiting of said pagents on national T.V. so that the people I had to baby sit IE the pedophiles and murderers can’t get their rocks off.

Lastly, I’m finding out, having taken some courses in areas, very quickly that just from the typings in forums like these that alot of these moms have self esteem issues. Self esteem is NOT having to tell yourself everyday your pretty, handsome ect it IS however feeling comfortable in who you are and what you stand for. There is a big difference in this to be honest and no amount of make up, dressing up can fake that.

I’m not saying that these pagents couldn’t possibly help with self esteem, by no means am i saying that. What I am saying is that there is too much weight put into the “well I’m in a pagent or my daughter is in a pagent, therefore I have self esteem” that seems to be the trend here.

Bottom line, it is a free country. People wil not always agree with one another and furthermore we can voice our opinions. Take that for what you will, all I ever asked any of these pro-pagent moms to do was to check out the child molester data base in the link I posted.

I doubt any one of them have and I seriously doubt you have as well.

One last comment for you J’M.

Pagents did affect my life. How might you ask? Again, I worked in a prison with approximatly 85% of child molesters. Roughly 50% of those were of kids under 12. They stalked places like pagents.

What did I have to do that affected me so much? Oh, I had to escort them, soemtimes make sure they showered, got to hear how bad their life was and how hard they had it ( mind you they get free cable, 3+ meals a day, pachages from family, reduced sentencing, play time, jobs, training in the workings of disability claims and welfare, the list goes on ).

I would have to gather their property up and would have to read their paper work. Paper work and letters that described ( sometimes ) what they did to their victims. Victims being anywhere from 6 months old to 90.

You don’t think this affects people outside of pagents. You need to wake up. I lost so much sleep it wasn’t even funny and I am now unemployeed by choice because I couldn’t take that anymore.

Doesn’t affect people. Come on.