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  • Essay / What are beauty pageants? - 1426

    A different breed of mother appears on the pageant scene, nicknamed “pageant moms” (Schultz). These women ruthlessly push their children into competitions for profit or the possibility of financial gain. Those mothers who also play the role of managers generally have more negative and unstable relationships with their children (Schultz). What happens behind the scenes does nothing to improve the situation. Tantrums and crying occur when managing mothers don't allow tired children to rest if their hair and makeup are in danger of becoming streaky or damaged. The girls are also given energy drinks, soft drinks and sugary “pageant crack” candies (Healy) to stay awake and maintain their energy. These mothers not only support, but also approve of the sexualization of their children. Parents can ignore the damage caused to their children, provided that the competition's achievements bring them a monetary reward.