However, these beauty pageants are often criticized by feminists and different conservative sectors of the society. Critics often call out these competitions for merely focusing on the physical appearance of the contestants. In most of these pageants, they are looking for good-looking and sexy women as candidates. The prettiest of these contestants based on the decision of the judges are then crowned the winners of the pageant. Such puts pressure on the contestants to try and conform to standards of beauty, spending their time and resources on fashion, cosmetics, hair styling, even with cosmetic surgery.
This benchmark for beauty makes them end up resorting to different unhealthy practices that can harm themselves. Some of those are extreme dieting, among others. Given this rather shallow interpretation of beauty, some experts say that these contests are defeating their very purpose and are responsible for dis-empowering women. Instead of making these women feel better about themselves by promoting beauty that goes beyond skin deep, these contests oftentimes zero in on physical than over all beauty. This actually can make women feel inadequate and strive to be better physically rather than have a well-rounded approach on beauty.
While women take the center stage in these pageants, many people argue that these beauty contests actually do not champion the rights of women. Instead, some critics believe that these pageants take advantage of, and exploit women. For one, experts have time and again said that beauty is subjective. That is why there should be no preferential treatment over a physically attractive woman, something that these pageants seem to show. Moreover, the presentation of beauty in these contests is made in a partially sexual manner which is definitely wrong, which is a clear example of sex discrimination.
However, despite the criticisms thrown against beauty contests, many women like to see things from a different perspective. Many beauty pageant contestants believe that such competitions inspire them and other women to be more independent, free when it comes to their choices, and to live a healthier lifestyle. These are some of the many reasons why beauty contests flourish despite criticisms. Since time immemorial, many beauty pageant alumnae have found success in different industries, from beauty school and fashion industry to media, many have landed on reputable careers. This only shows that they were able to use their beauty pageant experiences in real life, and now, they are reaping the fruits of what they worked for.
Beauty pageants do not only benefit the contestants themselves as they help a whole industry. These beauty competitions create a whole new industry where different professionals and workers flourish. Some of the people who benefit from these events include hairstylists, fashion designers, makeup artists, fitness coaches, dressmakers, marketing and advertising professionals, events planners, beauty therapists, and even beauty school graduates.
In a nutshell, beauty pageants are not without criticisms and flaws, but they provide so many benefits to people and different industries as well. If these events can be maintained without exploiting women, they can definitely promote women empowerment.
