Is it just me, or are reality shows getting out of hand? I've never been a fan of them in the first place, but I recently heard about one that's just plain wrong.
It's called Toddlers and Tiaras, and it airs on TLC. Anyone hear about this before? I'm a little behind the times, because season two begins this week. Here's the description of the show from the website:
"On any given weekend, on stages across the country, little girls and boys parade around wearing makeup, false eyelashes, spray tans and fake hair to be judged on their beauty, personality and costumes. Toddlers and Tiaras follows families on their quest for sparkly crowns, big titles, and lots of cash.
The preparation is intense as it gets down to the final week before the pageant. From hair and nail appointments, to finishing touches on gowns and suits, to numerous coaching sessions or rehearsals, each child preps for their performance. But once at the pageant, it's all up to the judges and drama ensues when every parent wants to prove that their child is beautiful."
This makes me more than glad I only have the basic-basic cable that costs $13.16 per month.
There's something drastically wrong and sad about parents who tart up their daughters (and sons, too, from what I've read) to look like little tramps. And they DO look like little streetwalkers.
I've always thought I was far from being a feminist. I'm very traditional. I believe in "til death do us part," and that mothers should stay home with their children until they go to school (unless she HAS to work to pay the bills). But I also believe that men and women should treat each other as equals. Men and women should respect each other. And their children.
In my opinion, the parents of these beauty pageant kids are treating them like objects. Like little baby dolls that they can make up, dress, and parade around for their own egos. One contestant is--get this--TWO WEEKS OLD. They're teaching these girls that how they look is the only thing that matters. It's bad enough that television, movies, and magazines force adolescent girls to obsess over their appearance, why would you do that to a toddler? And whether they realize it or not, they're sexualizing their daughters. I can't help but remember the JonBenet Ramsey case.
So, maybe I'm more feminist than I thought. Or maybe I just have common sense.
If you think I'm wrong, go watch this video.
