Student Publications
University of Houston
151C Communications Bldg
Houston, TX 77204-4015
713.743.5350

©1991-2007
Student Publications,
All rights reserved.

Last modified:

Contact:
ktruitt@uh.edu

Opinion

Beauty pageant culture fosters scandal 

Reid Midgett
Opinion Columnist

There was a time when beauty pageants were pure, innocent affairs. Thousands watched as a handful of girls paraded around in skimpy outfits, occasionally answering simple questions and showing off their special talents. Those days of innocent exhibitionism are over, as the girls are finally showing their wild sides and getting in trouble for it.

Several instances have occurred in the past few months having to do with the Miss USA and Miss America pageants. Ashley Harder, Miss New Jersey USA, was found pregnant and thus had to give up her position. Competition rules state a competitor may not be, or ever have been, married or pregnant. Miss USA Tara Conner was found to be somewhat ofa a party girl when was caught drinking and behaving in a risque manner at New York nightclubs (Conner was not 21 at the time). In order to keep her crown, Conner is now going to rehab for alcohol abuse.

Yes, the moral fiber of this country is being called into question. Not because we go to war for less-than-ethical reasons, not because of the rampant crime and drug use that plagues these United States. No, the true evil of America is seen in the young women who are beginning to act like, well, young women.

People should not be surprised that these truths are being uncovered, that these young women are participating in sinful acts such as having a good time and partaking in activities that most every young adult partakes in. 

Yes, they chose to run in these pageants and chose to exhibit some sort of morally upright life. However, those who control these beauty contests should not be shocked at this turn of events; they themselves are teaching these women that one must only be beautiful to be successful and that to gain credibility and respect one must merely be scrutinized by the eyes of thousands of people while she walks around in a bikini or dress.

Supporters of Miss USA and Miss America say that these pageants give young women a chance to be successful and gain prestige. To do this they dress themselves up and perform inane tricks -- only at the cost of seemingly reaffirming the argument that men are superior to women.

And when these women break under the constant pressure piled upon them, when they reveal themselves to be merely human, the same people who support these pageants gasp and point their fingers at the contestants, saying they are a disgrace to the tradition of the pageants. 

Perhaps that pressure is the reason for such disgraceful behavior. When one feels like an object put in place to be gawked at, one will eventually crack.

Beauty pageants have always been about just that: beauty. Maybe one day the focus will change and contestants will be tested on their abilities in many fields, such as intelligence and actual skills. Then maybe there will be no more scandal, as the girls will be able to lead normal, balanced lives instead of being shiny Barbie dolls for the world to stare at.

Midgett, a communication junior, 
can be reached via dccampus@mail.uh.edu