Beauty pageants have long been a controversial topic, with some arguing that they promote harmful standards of beauty and objectify women, while others defend them as a form of entertainment and a way for women to gain confidence and opportunities. In this essay, I will argue that beauty pageants should be banned because they contribute to the objectification and commodification of women, contribute to harmful standards of beauty, and often lack inclusivity.
One of the main criticisms of beauty pageants is that they objectify and commodify women. Participants are judged primarily on their physical appearance, and often have to conform to strict standards of beauty in order to be competitive. This reinforces the idea that a woman's worth is primarily determined by her looks, rather than her intelligence, talent, or other personal qualities. Moreover, the emphasis on beauty often leads to the objectification of women's bodies, as they are scrutinized and judged based on their appearance rather than their character or accomplishments. This objectification can have harmful consequences, including low self-esteem, body image issues, and even sexual harassment and abuse.
Beauty pageants also contribute to harmful standards of beauty by promoting an unrealistic and narrow definition of what is considered attractive. These standards often exclude women who do not fit into a certain mold, such as those who are not thin, tall, or conventionally attractive. This can have negative impacts on women's self-esteem and body image, as they may feel pressure to conform to these standards in order to be deemed attractive or successful. Moreover, these standards can also perpetuate harmful stereotypes about women and contribute to discrimination based on appearance.
In addition to objectifying and commodifying women and promoting harmful standards of beauty, beauty pageants often lack inclusivity. Many pageants have strict rules about who can participate, such as age or marital status requirements, which can exclude certain groups of women. For example, many pageants do not allow married women or women over a certain age to participate, which means that these women are denied the opportunity to participate based on arbitrary criteria. This lack of inclusivity further reinforces the idea that certain women are not valued or worthy based on their appearance or circumstances.
In conclusion, beauty pageants should be banned because they contribute to the objectification and commodification of women, promote harmful standards of beauty, and often lack inclusivity. While some may argue that beauty pageants can be a form of entertainment or a way for women to gain confidence and opportunities, the negative impacts of these events outweigh any potential benefits. It is time for society to move beyond the objectification and commodification of women's bodies and embrace a more inclusive and empowering definition of beauty.
