hope for the Little Miss Sunshines out there?

Yes - recession, stock market, Iraq war, North Korea; this country has a lot going on right now. But snaps to Rep. Annie Mobley, a North Carolina democrat, for introduced a bill to study pageants for girls under the age of 13.

If you’ve seen the indie film “Little Miss Sunshine,“ “Toddlers & Tiaras“ on TLC, or attended a youth beauty pageant you’re familiar with the sight of very wee children with false eyelashes and ginormous hair worthy of a Hollywood red carpet or a Playboy bunny, depending on where you stand on the issue.

Mobley’s bill proposes that a committee of 10 appointees from the House of Representatives and Senate investigate and regulate North Carolina beauty pageants for girls under 13. The committee will determine the positive and negative impact on young girls involved in pageants, and determine if regulation on minimum age requirements of participants, requirements for parental involvement, and any restrictions on the use of excessive makeup and competition focus areas are necessary. Note that the bill isn’t written to end pageants, just investigate if the practice is costing girls later down the road. (You can read the whole bill here.)

Pageants are a cultural institution in this country, going back to the mid-19th century. But isn’t it time we looked at how it impacts the girls involved? The country is experiencing a huge rise in eating disorders in young girls, as well as a falling age at which girls become sexually active; not that this is caused by pageants, but what message are we sending to little girls when we do up their hair and makeup, dress them in ballgowns, and have them compete for perfection? Pageants have the potential to do so much good, such as getting girls involved with community service and mastering performing arts skills which are both great for self-esteem. So what does the fake tanning and hair teasing accomplish?

After all, these young girls are our tomorrow and we have a responsibility to look after their best interests. One of the ways we do that is by appointing our government representatives who take action on the issues we believe in. Of course the government also reserves the right to act when there is a compelling interest, and ensuring the safety of young girls certainly falls under that heading.

So is it high time for a study on the impact of pageants on young girls? Or are these pageants no different from getting involved with a soccer team or Girl Scouts? Is it appropriate for the government to step in? Or should they back off and leave it to the pageant community to regulate? Share your thoughts!

If you’re not familiar with the youth pageant world, check out this video.