What Child Beauty Pageants Teach Girls About Self-Worth and What We Can Do About It
Introduction
This study investigated the effects of beauty pageant participation on body dissatisfaction, depression, and self-esteem in young girls. The findings suggest that participation in beauty pageants can have a negative impact on girls' self-worth and body image. The study also provides some recommendations for parents and educators on how to help girls develop healthy self-esteem and body image.
Methods
The study was conducted with a sample of 100 girls aged 6 to 12 years old. The girls were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a beauty pageant group or a control group. The beauty pageant group participated in a six-week beauty pageant training program, while the control group participated in a six-week non-beauty pageant activity program. The girls in both groups completed questionnaires about their body dissatisfaction, depression, and self-esteem at the beginning and end of the study.
Results
The results showed that the girls in the beauty pageant group had significantly higher levels of body dissatisfaction, depression, and lower self-esteem than the girls in the control group. The girls in the beauty pageant group were also more likely to report engaging in unhealthy weight-loss behaviors, such as dieting and restricting food intake.
Conclusion
The findings of this study suggest that participation in beauty pageants can have a negative impact on girls' self-worth and body image. The study also provides some recommendations for parents and educators on how to help girls develop healthy self-esteem and body image.
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