Remember the film Miss Congeniality? Where Sandra Bullock, (detective Gracie Hart) the prototypical tomboyish woman (because she is an FBI agent) with abundant small, gray cells, goes totally bonkers when she has to participate in a beauty pageant for an FBI operation. She is absolutely mad about it because according to her, these contests are a sham. Moreover, only beauties without brains participate in such contests was her mindset. Nevertheless, reel life apart, in real life, these pageants are perhaps not so bad as they are sometimes thought to be. Just like any other thing, however, there might be some negativity attached to it.
Pros and Cons of Beauty Pageants
The Good and the Bad- 1
First things first, the process through which you become fit and worthy enough to enter a pageant is an absolutely rigorous one and teaches you a lot. As the contestants progress towards the pageant and the crown, the whole experience is mesmerizing and can be life changing. On the other hand, it is hard work and leave alone the physical demands, such a contest takes a toil on your mental state as well. That can be worse than the physical stress.
The Good and the Bad- 2
Presenting yourself flawlessly and gracefully in front of the others, is a fantastic booster for your self-confidence. Furthermore, looking good, is another asset and habit you get into through such a contest. Well, a disadvantage is that you might start becoming too superficial and may give importance only to outer appearance rather than sensing the deeper meanings of things.
The Good and the Bad- 3
A beauty pageant is not just about being rewarding for you as a person, but it is rewarding in the materialistic sense as well (who wouldn't mind earning a few good bucks eh!). Most of the time pageant winners get cash prizes, a chance to travel and explore places as well as scholarships. This is in addition to the trophy or crown and ribbon. On the downside, if the pageant involves traveling around, there is a financial and emotional stress on all family members.
The Good and the Bad- 4
A pageant can help individuals become go-getters and achieve what they want. Consequently, those who win are brimming with confidence. On the other hand, those who are mentally not strong enough, might not be able to bear the pain of losing and not achieving what they want. This can lead them to go in depression. Those who won, might become snobbish and over confident, paying no heed to others.
The Good and the Bad- 5
They say that your intelligence and congeniality is tested, but you never know what the judges have on their mind. But there are some who vehemently claim that the judges do test the intelligence of the contestants and there are activities where they can display their intelligence.
The Good and the Bad- 6
The winner or the top 5 or 10 contestants have a great chance to be role models for the 'mere mortals'. Be it social service or excelling in their careers and academics, this is what they put across for others to follow. On the contrary, some might misuse this platform for all the wrong reasons and for their vested interest, rather than doing something for others.
Lastly, you want to participate in such a contest, fine, but avoid going overboard about it. There are some who can go to any extent to be the Miss or Mr Perfect and still lose everything. Moreover, the race to have that perfect body and face, can result in eating disorders detrimental for an individual's health.
These points should be seriously considered by those wanting to enter a beauty pageant. An individual should have a very strong reason and self determination to sail through. Only then it is worth a shot. This is totally relevant to what Oscar Wilde had said about beauty- "No object is so beautiful that, under certain conditions, it will not look ugly."
