Toddlers and Tiaras - Kids Turned into Divas

Toddlers and Tiaras on TLC

How do you feel about toddlers competing in pageants? 

How do you feel about reality programs involving kids? 

My Review 

At first I was like many of you, scared and sickened by the way some mothers dressed up their children and lived their live through the accomplishments of their kids. However, after thinking about if for a bit, I realized that pageants aren’t necessarily the terrible thing I thought they were. Some kids in the show actually have fun participating, even if they don’t win anything, and have fun dancing and wearing costumes. And not all mothers are self-absorbed and can’t get a life.

The problem with pageants, as I see it, is not so much in the activity itself as in the attitude of the people in it. In an episode the woman directing the contest said that only beautiful people got jobs, and only skinny girls made it to Hollywood. That’s the sick part. 5-year-old girls saying that when they grow up they want to marry a rich man. Girls being nasty to their parents and other girls and covering it up by saying "I’m a Diva" and "I’m competitive." This applies to any activity that involves children, from soccer to baseball to cheerleading. Kids thinking that they’re as good as the trophies they have or the praise they get. Yes, I do believe that some basketball coaches live through their kids, I’ve seen it many times. The important thing is to realize this and try to get our children the best education, teach them the best values, instead of yelling and crying about child protective services and stuff.

Would you recommend this to a friend?