Polarising world of America's child beauty pageants | 60 Minutes Australia

[@nschlaak]

My sister in law participated in and coached these pageants. Nothing sickens me much more than seeing a little kid appearing to be thirty. Let them look like and be the kids they are.

[@TheJennnq]

Wow, I'd have words for her!

[@MissEddieBlueKawaiiKrafts]

Also the judges are on crack. Anything USA themed always wins no matter how much better the competition is & there is savage colourism if not outright bigotry in these competitions. Imagine that drudgy eye roll of a “Proud to be an American” rendition won over that Beyoncé performance & the other bouncy little black girl, absolutely ridiculous! I’d be so pissed if I was those moms 😬

[@sophielc.4508]

I totally agree, there is no turning back to childhood plus they get into a too early nonsense competition which may cause damages forever.

[@kt1696]

I couldn't agree more. I'd be horrified to see my beautiful granddaughters paraded about like that. Something just not right in their parents brains.

[@GailFraser-r9d]

Agreed 100 percent. Stealing their innocence.

[@jolo3118]

There is no way these parents and coaches aren't aware of the fact that predators keep close tabs on the pageants. You're supposed to protect your children, not exploit them!

[@RDKVRDKV]

I think it is disgusting to push little girls to look like adults. I think these parents who are pushing their toddlers to do it were WANNA BE "beauty" women who did not make it! Why not let them be children?!

[@Heidi_137]

Narcissistic mothers living through their child.

[@Packless1]

...why not let them be children...? 🤔 💰💷🪙💴💰💵🪙💶... ...that's why...! ☹

[@Humble_abode-k2h]

True. Will be interested to hear from some as adults about how they felt about the childhood they had​@@Packless1

[@AmandaYee-yn9dk]

and whats that gonna get them when they r adults it gets them nowhere

[@nibordiabla7493]

It is clear that these parents see their children not as human beings, but as possessions to do with what they please. It is disgusting the way they pimp their children out to this industry, parading them around like painted up, vamped out, pieces of meat to whomever will watch and give them a trophy and MONEY. Heaven forbid if the child gets good at it, then they become the breadwinner of the house and all of that responsibility falls on a 6 year old to hold down and pay the household finances. This is some of the worst, in-your-face, exploitative, and abusive behavior that I have ever seen that is still considered "legal" under our current system. Everyone in this industry from the parents, to the coaches, the "talent scouts", all the way to the perverts judging these competitions, should be locked up in jail with the general population prisoners, and let nature take it's course.

[@phyllisfoster6589]

Well stated, and I agree with 1,000 %.

[@helenmcdonnell2585]

Exactly .. it's disgusting

[@AmandaYee-yn9dk]

how do u know probably the child wants it more than anything

[@HAZARDOUS88]

It's an absolutely gross thing that needs to end.

[@clorrisa7649]

It’s child exploitation.

[@Littlemouse884]

....and think of the creeps out there getting off on it 😡 🤬

[@HAZARDOUS88]

@@Littlemouse884 Exactly

[@RP6575most]

I think it’s quite disingenuous of that mother saying that anyone who sees sex with a 5 year-old in a bathing suit, then there’s something wrong with the onlooker. A little girl in a bathing suit playing on the beach is definitely not the same thing as a little girl in a sequin bathing suit, big hair, a lot of makeup and walking sexy down a runway. How can that not been seen as sexualizing children? At the very least it’s exactly how this segment began describing the phenomenon as unnerving. It’s definitely cringy and it’s teaching little girls that their self-worth is based on their outward appearance. Just like it was cringy when the little girl pushed the money on her mother’s face while saying, “Smell the money!” Really?!?!🤮

[@sarahrupert5320]

Well to be fair, there WOULD be something seriously wrong with anyone who’d think of sex with a 5 year old in a swimsuit-but that’s definitely not the point…and everything you’re saying is spot-on. What these moms are doing to these young girls is completely messed up. They’re teaching them that a person’s (or at the very least, a woman’s!) value is directly based on their looks?? Something is definitely wrong with *them* for sure.

[@melissapinol7279]

I was never entered into pageants, but my mother was absolutely obsessed with my appearance in a very unhealthy way. When I was 7, she became convinced that one of my ears stuck out more than the other ( none of my other families agree) and she forced me to have surgery to "fix" it. She told me that if I didn't do it I would never get married and have a family. I remember that I was awake during the surgery and very scared. At one point I could smell my own blood and felt it running down my neck and got nearly hysterical so I had to be sedated. There was also a lot of pain afterwards, and according to my sister and grandmother it didn't look any different than before! To this day, and I'm 63 years old, I don't like to be touched on the back of my ear. Her main fixation was my hair. She was absolutely obsessed with my hair. She constantly told me it looked "horrible" and would convince me that if I didn't have my hair cut in a particular way she had picked out that I would look "ugly". It started in High school, when kids already have poor self esteem. During High School, she made me get my hair cut 5 different ways. Each time she convinced me that that particular hair cut would fix everything, but after a short time she would become dissatisfied and start saying I looked "awful" again and the cycle would start all over. This obsession continued even after I moved out of home and got married. Everytime I visited she would start in on my hair, which I never cut again after I left home. I still have long hair. In one particularly bizarre incident when I was 25 she tried to trick me into getting my hair cut by arranging an elaborate ruse where I was supposed to drive somewhere park and she would meet me with a blindfold to take me to get "a wonderful surprise". I found out it was a block away from a hair salon and just refused to go along with it. She got furious, raved and ranted, and tried to tell me that my husband thought I was "ugly" and would leave me if I didn't get my hair cut. He did not think I was "ugly" and was very faithful to me. At the end, she tried to convince me that I *had* to do it because she had already paid for it! I told her to get her money back. She also refused to let me select my own clothes and she would literally tell me what outfit to wear every day I was in High School. The bizarre thing was that if I actually found I liked something and wore it a lot she would start telling me that something was wrong with it and it would vanish out of the closet. She also forced me to wear a lot of makeup when I didn't want to. When we were out in public she would claim that people were staring at me and frowning when they were not. I am so, so glad she never found out about pageants or things would have gotten much much worse. I probably would have gotten punished if I lost. This video brought back a lot of bad memories about how mother's can obsess on their daughters appearance and make it the center of things. I'm sorry this was long but it almost made me have flashbacks. I think pageants are not healthy for either mother or daughter, and I know why.

[@curiousgeorge1940]

You pegged it right when you said : "unhealthy". It's the insecure, doting mothers who need validation and use their daughters as substitute stand-ins to get it. For every winner in those meat shows, there are 20 kids being traumatized.

[@marleneschulz118]

I am almost 70 and still have flashbacks to events in my childhood that can bring me to tears, so your words touched my heart.

[@lolaodubitan968]

Hi. I am so sorry you went through this. It was wrong for her to do that to you I am glad you are better now and away from her. Please pray for her soul and repentance. All the best!

[@minwade5436]

I’m so sorry your mother put you through those awful trials, trying to make you an extension of herself (narcissistic type mother’s have a tendency to do that). Take care, you’re not alone. Best wishes from Adelaide; South Australia🇦🇺💐

[@CrisTina-tp2jg]

I truly understand what you went through because I went through something similar. I couldn't get over what you said; if you liked something, she would take it away. My mum was like that too. What people need to understand is how this affects people like us; it just gets deep into our being. And so hard to overcome because it's not just dealing with the constant criticism but the lover we never got that we so desperately needed as a growing up child.

[@TheJennnq]

"DISGUSTING" is the only word!

[@dzoohweso5607]

Coach : You wink at them like sexy and flirt , ok ? It’s sickening ! Those moms reinforce their unrealistic dream on their vulnerable little one , it’s sad !

[@sarahrupert5320]

Yeah. It really is sad & quite pathetic. These moms don’t have a life of their own so they have to live vicariously through the poor child.

[@irismckay6472]

As an American mother, lawyer, and advocate for children, I couldn't watch much of this. These parents who exploit their daughters to satisfy their own narcissistic supply don't realize they are setting up their children to be targets for child predators.

[@amandaterrio4823]

As a former pageant participant I can say winning is great for the one ultimate winner. It is almost tragic for most of us. We worked so hard. Our parents spent so much money and honestly it was terrible for my confidence. At almost 50 I still have trouble speaking in a group setting

[@anne-mariezack]

💙💙

[@Adsbvs5990]

May I ask what the main reason was for your parents to have you participate? How did you deal with pressure etc? Sorry to hear you are still affected by it

[@amandaterrio4823]

@@Adsbvs5990 my mom was a pageant dress maker. I guess I was a walking advertisement for some of her dresses.

[@RDKVRDKV]

IMHO, it is a form of CHILD ABUSE!!! I've seen children crying, not wanting to do it!!!

[@amandaterrio4823]

@@RDKVRDKV I’ve seen it too.

[@CP-pe9ul]

They tart up these children and put them on display....Disgusting !

[@TheJennnq]

These parents are the opposite of "wholesome." You wanna talk about "grooming"???

[@Areniapixie]

Pageants are gross 🤮 Look at some of the things they are dressed in! 🤯Usually attended by the same people who scream about “save the children” too, hypocrisy

[@traceyfrerichs1246]

A sad commentary of the parents lack of their own self worth, because they have to live through their children.

[@MastiffEggroll]

I agree 👍.

[@natscat4752]

That child needs to be wearing a helmet and be supervised on that quad bike.

[@Stacyr4567]

The mother asking what reward would she be getting by her daughter winning pageants? Gee, I don't know. Could it be the same reward one gets when they teach their child do anything and they do it, or a child who is good looking, or a child who performs successfully in sports? It's pride in that you created said child and or trained, paid for training, invested money and time in that child who is successful in that endeavor. What she is getting is called bragging rights.

[@nibordiabla7493]

It is clear that these parents see their children not as a human beings, but as possessions to do with what they please. It is disgusting the way they pimp their children out to this industry, parading them around like painted up, vamped out, pieces of meat to whomever will watch and give them a trophy and MONEY. Heaven forbid if the child gets good at it, then they become the breadwinner of the house and all of that responsibility falls on a 6 year old to hold down and pay the household finances. This is some of the worst, in-your-face, exploitative, and abusive behavior that I have ever seen that is still considered "legal" under our current system. Everyone in this industry from the parents, to the coaches, the "talent scouts", all the way to the perverts judging these competitions, should be locked up in jail with the general population prisoners, and let nature take it's course.

[@kathyhardee2398]

I always taught my daughter she was a treasure not a trophy. She's now a very successful interior designer and married mother of two. I would never support this mess

[@margaretbanks8969]

Your daughter had a Great mother unlike these unfortune girls.

[@PjuNonnie]

​@@margaretbanks8969That's beautiful, man.

[@user-yu9ib4qz4c]

I have always and will continue to believe that these kinds of things are what leads people to child pornography and sexual abuse.... Which is why I hate these things to a degree that is not explainable in language! 😡

[@patriciaoreilly8907]

Child abuse by the parents .

[@TheJapanChannelDcom]

Cant watch this. "Mothers" with selfish motivations and deep deep issues of their own. Bad mothers.

[@mhe8545]

I think behind this are mothers who never felt pretty. Shame on you mom. Living through your daughter. Telling a little girl to flirt!!?

[@donnawallace9938]

You tell your 6 year old to flirt, and then say it's not sexual???

[@sarahrupert5320]

Oh, I agree 100%. It’s one of 2 things: a) either the mom grew up feeling/looking unattractive and wants a do-over through her daughter, or b) the mom grew up in the limelight & celebrated for her beauty, and now as a grown up can’t let go so she does it all over again through the daughter. Either way-the mother needs to get a life as an adult. Quit living through your child because you can’t move on! It’s damaging to your child & SO gross. 🤮

[@ailleenvargas23]

People r insecure af

[@EVIESECOND]

“It’s a great hobby.” Children are NOT hobbies ‼️

[@MaryPrince-l2x]

Revolting. Why not at least let them dress like children?

[@BlueMoiraine]

That this practice carries on is partly what is wrong with the US. Judging little girls by their outfit, while they are done up like grown ups is the ultimate pathetic, sad and materialistic reflection of what society has become. All those parents ought to be shameful to do this to their kids

[@myworldlovesme]

People who think that children wearing make up and look like adultsl,their are absolutely sick individuals. Parents who selling their kids are disgusting.Child abusers.

[@shamshadhabib5597]

This is insane.

[@joanmarymccormack6877]

It's downright child abuse. Their Mother's are narcissists It's utterly disgusting

[@michelethompson7300]

Parading your children like prize poodles in front of judges is sickening. Dressing and putting makeup on children to make them appear adult like is disgusting. What kind of parent would do that to their child? Ones with crap self esteem who crave validation via approval of their children. Unless you're a legal adult and can fully consent this practice should be outlawed.

[@Ihavenoideawhatthisevenis]

I'm absolutely disgusted that this is even still a thing

[@katharinas9854]

How on earth is this legal???? Sexualising and FORCING children to do this. It just makes me sick, the outfits, the make up, the movements, the songs... You're a horrible parent if you do this to your child, period.

[@Resurgam2024]

The difference between pageants and sports is that sports are skills. you can wake up tomorrow and decide to try harder and get better at them. Beauty is subjective and being told you are not beautiful enough at such a young age, makes you feel something is inherently wrong with you. And there is not much you can do about it.

[@trapped7534]

When my daughter was little,people actually stopped us while shopping or at the zoo… every where and asked do you know that baby is beautiful?? [[No,I thought she looked like a wooly worm]] here’s your sign. She was a true beauty. By the time she was 3,her thick hair was waist length.She was tiny,but not skinny, startling blue eyes,Pretty smile…etc… If we were told/asked once,we were asked 150 times if we had her in pageants or were going to. A well to do friend of ours lived in another state. She offered to sponsor our daughter,pay all expenses for anything including hotels and gasoline/plane tickets. My husband was more interested than I. We discussed it and I just couldn’t see the good it would bring. She could get her confidence/self esteem/personality from being active in our local community,being taught by her family that it is ok to lose,winning is not going to happen every time. That her natural beauty was something to take advantage of,no need for a ton of makeup. I absolutely did not want some perverted weirdo undressing my baby with his creepy eyes. One of these moms said,”If someone looks at these little girls and thinks of sex,that’s that persons problem.” Yes and no….those creeps are sicko’s for sure. But if you make your 3 year old look like a 25 year old chorus girl…. You are flaunting her in front of the sicko. My daughter is in her 40’s now,still beautiful,has 3 sons and a pretty stable life. I am not sure how stable the kids in that environment have faired.

[@elizabethmadron1336]

Most of the heads of modeling agencies are sickos btw. JOHN CASABLANCAS of Elite is one of them. He signed a friend of mine here in Atlanta 35 yrs ago. The only thing about her that resembled a model was her height. They fed her a bunch of BS and took her parents money. She got no modeling work.

[@edazapata1658]

Children should be children. This is sick

[@kimberlybamford1072]

I think these pageants are disgusting. Can’t parents just let their kids be kids? What is wrong with these parents? 😡😥

[@Userhdhd-t5l]

This should be illegal and forbidden and punished by law. Those are selfish awful mothers and disgusting greedy perverted adults to allow and help this.

[@jskeyboardwarrior-pe9kn]

How do you make little kid's be "judged" they grow up accepting "being judged"

[@Soooooooooooonicable]

Judging people on something as subjective as beauty is ridiculous. Especially when we're talking about children.

[@Heidi_137]

It teaches them to become shallow

[@catherinebirch2399]

I wonder how these girl will cope when the aging process kicks in.

[@minwade5436]

Would love to hear a psychologist’s viewpoint on these “toddlers & tiaras” in relation to the mothers & fathers ideology. A child in an appropriately aged swimsuit on the beach as opposed to the highly orchestrated bizarrely overdressed, over preened & pumped lil gals is a huge difference. Let children have a childhood, society puts enough pressure on them already.

[@melissaarellano5177]

Watching the clips of the girls all made up and dressed up as if they're in adult pageants is upsetting, all it takes is one sick individual to see them and there could potentially be another situation like JonBenet. And hearing of Kailia Posey's (she was another child featured on the show) death, possibly at her own hand, it makes me wonder if her being exposed to the world through the pageants and show may have had some part in effecting her mental health.

[@bluedogjackiepoo]

Those pervs are everywhere, scares the shit out of me.

[@ivannovotny4552]

I'm surprised that it's still allowed ... beyond pathetic.

[@D4RKV3NOM]

people are going to do what they want to do in the end of the day, but i really find all this child pageant stuff gross and unnecessary, the mum who said she is not living vicariously and that she gets nothing out of her daughter winning pageants is straight up full of it..

[@rachapach6192]

I just feel like this toddlers in tiara stuff is really dark in the background. Of course there’s Jon Benet Ramsey. Everybody knows that story. Not many people know that there’s another tragedy about a girl that starred in toddlers in tiaras which was Kailia Posey. You can look her name up on KZbin and see back when she was very young on that show. She was only 16 years old in 2022 when she committed the “s” word. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to comment the real word. She was also turned into that meme “the grinning girl” everyone pretty much knows that meme but not many people know what happened to her in 2022. The little girl Eden in the show as soon as she turned 18 she stopped pageants and decided she wanted to go to college. So luckily, she wasn’t sucked into Hollywood because who knows what would’ve happened to her there. That does make me really happy for her. I just feel like it’s not healthy for these little girls. That is my opinion.

[@MartinMcMartin]

What a sick and twisted community to still be doing this to children.

[@palden4579]

This should be forbidden by law!

[@gal2209]

Ridiculous !!! Revolting!! Synonymous to human trafficking. Kids forced to do something they do not understand..they ought to be playing in the backyard..🙏🙏🙏

[@SueRosalie]

ikr these little girls should be reading books, climbing trees, riding bikes etc. with their friends

[@rm3015]

Parents living their own dreams via innocent kids. Even here in India its sickening to watch young kids on reality shows strutting to adult bollywood songs. Should be banned.

[@MK-Hogan]

They say they’re not sexualizing their kids, but where they lose that argument for me is the makeup and hair. If you’re not trying to make your little kids look like grown women then why the makeup? Just let them do talents and wear pretty dresses AS little kids. They’re already adorable and beautiful. You’re intentionally putting their image in a post-pubescent look and there’s no reason for that.

[@CoolEmojiDude]

Why can't children just enjoy being children instead of putting them in danger of child predators through exploitation. After all they will be adults all their life.

[@terrikeentk]

That's too much pressure on that little girl, she's got her whole family's issues on her shoulders

[@JustAThought155]

Ah! 2010 episode. And what’s our nation’s addiction and anxiety statistics for teens and young adults today, 2023??? Five year old in 2010 means these girls are eighteen year olds now. I hope they are well.❤

[@moonchild7033]

I think these pageants are absolutely disgusting & these parents should all be ashamed of themselves. These poor children grow up believing their only worth is in how they look & nothing else. It's a disgrace & child-abuse.

[@tomokoyamamoto1701]

Let the kids be kids! That’s only for patents ego!!

[@elainelyon7338]

It’s disgusting -totally disgusting…this is a form of child abuse.

[@lindamarcouxgunter875]

This is the epitome of disgusting. These ‘mothers’ are delusional

[@mommazed1]

Hard to comprehend how weird this is. I feel sorry for all the children involved.

[@flowerlady-e5u]

Would never put a child in this. There's too many weirdos out there. Your putting your childs life in danger.

[@anabellklopfer1885]

This is disgusting. It is criminal and child abuse. How can you sexualize these little girls like adult woman

[@Imonetoo216]

These poor kids...imagine having to live with these brainless parents for 18 years.

[@Sam-yt9qj]

No, thank you. While I may not agree with the sexualizing part (since I am not a pervert), it's still a huge task for such young kids to perform and win. Life is already hard enough in schools and now these things. I would like to ask those moms, why don't you organize something for moms - then you can show your talents or whatever and don't have to monetize your kids' talents.

[@nikkismith2858]

They probably don’t have any that’s why they rely on their children

[@jsbach9848]

Absolutely disgusting!!!!!!! Those moms are beyond sick.

[@SueRosalie]

Good God I thought we'd learned our lesson and gotten rid of these dreadful pageants. It's child abuse.

[@windsong2875]

Child abuse- those kids are robbed of an innocent childhood, playing , exploring, free!

[@bayoumanbryan]

the whole thing is just SICKENING, poor little girls

[@durusan4839]

These parents are sick !! a child is killed because of these pageants but still they didnt get their lesson

[@sueorosz8886]

I was so protective of my daughter when she was a toddler!!! Omg no way would I exploit her and enjoy it by parading her around in high heels and make up on a stage for a prize in a tricked out expensive, revealing dress!! Ugh 😩 why is this crap even a thing! And little babies!? I can’t. Did they give you permission to exploit them? Sick.

[@karenm8692]

The children who don’t want to do that have more sense than their guardians 😢

[@bluefoxblitz8416]

😡😡😡 listen to your children. "I don't want to do it". What is wrong with you people??😢😢😢😢😢🤮

[@cr5490]

“She just takes direction so well” sounds like a groomer smh

[@katerinagiannioudi401]

Very sick, disturbed parents! They should be prosecuted!

[@cherokeedonna83]

I have always found this to be appalling. It is a form of child abuse. These parents are doing nothing but living out their own failed fantasies through their children. Sadly it will continue due to the unimaginable amounts of money spent ! What kind of parent looks at their child and thinks it would be a good idea to dress them up like high class hookers !? Disgusting !

[@bz3548]

This is child abuse. They teach them to be Sexi and how to flirt! To me these mothers look at their kids as commodities. This is humble opinion.

[@nickstevens7249]

It's horrific that it panned over to the "judges" table, and it was 99% old men 😭

[@mdefatimaborges6174]

This whole industry is so bizarre to me….

[@gokuvegeta3163]

No, NO, NOOO...Nope. I give this a big thumb down...it's actually disturbing to see a LITTLE girl, a baby, dressed and taught to be proactive. YUK 🤮

[@kirsten121]

That child should be wearing a helmet when riding that quad bike.

[@Nmskull]

They'll never learn from jonbenet gruesome death

[@debturcott6800]

I still feel it was Mom or Brother even though there seemed to be a lot to say it wasn't. Money can buy lots of cover ups. But this is only my opinion.

[@rebelwithacause2229]

Creepy. Disturbing adults.

[@krazykris4785]

I think it is awful how these pageant mothers carry on…looks aren’t everything

[@stshack]

Telling children to flirt,swerve,wink,blow kisses,dress like showgirls,not sexualizing😢

[@1963Jax]

"There's nothing so wholesome as showing off your baby?" Really 🙄. I find it disgusting

[@helenmcdonnell2585]

Child beauty pageants is child abuse

[@adelinaponzio9370]

These adults need help! They are treating their children like show dogs

[@junosynth]

It's not wholesome if you're putting on makup to make your child look like an adult

[@Alice-h6z]

Horrible, it needs to stop. Poor kids

[@rebeccamatteson2433]

It fills me with extreme anxiety when I see little girls paraded around like this. I get such an uncomfortable feeling, I just can't watch. Anyone who says this isn't sexualizing them is either ignorant or just doesn't want to admit it because that's exactly what they want to do because then explain all the makeup, the sexual moves and grown up outfits and the fake teeth/hair etc.. what happened to telling little girls they are beautiful just as they are? This is about the selfish desires of the mothers.

[@moirafox6247]

Disgraceful!! It's another name for child abuse. It's not for the child, but for the parents.

[@paulamasterson7628]

Beyond disturbing for these littlees

[@carolinhartwigsen8384]

This is considered child abuse in many countries. Absolutely disgusting how kids are being sexualised

[@robinehood6494]

"Look at them sexy like flirt" is literally the worst thing you could say to a 5y old child!!!!!!!!

[@endencker6845]

Weirdo parents? NO! This is rape! A child can not consent!

[@SkywardOracle]

“Wink at em sexy and flirt” 😳☹️🤢

[@mariettevanzuydam]

this is sick in so many ways.

[@Feline_Frenzy53]

Disgusting is all I have to say. As a survivor of SA, it's all I see dressing these little children up to be adults.

[@patr70]

Smile, Smile, .. Smile 😎

[@laurendobinson5930]

I am strongly against this. Children should be allowed to be children and innocent. Xx

[@hollyannbest2300]

It's creepy

[@ItsmeJosei]

As a beauty pageant coach, I sincerely believe that parents should respect and nurture their daughters' own interests and passions. It saddens me to see parents pushing their daughters into beauty pageants just to fulfill their own dreams or to follow in their footsteps as former beauty queens. This kind of pressure can be overwhelming and often ignores what the child truly wants. Every child should have the freedom to explore what excites them, whether it's sports, academics, or any other passion. Parents should be supportive and encouraging, helping their daughters find their own paths. Genuine happiness and success come from pursuing one's own dreams, not from living up to someone else's expectations.

[@Seabreeezy]

I just want to say that this is NOT what 99% of mothers in America do. It’s just what gets seen on a reality show. And yes, it’s nuts. Unhealthy in many ways. I have no relative or friend that has ever done this. I’m 56 and my kids are in their late 20’s now, so I’ve had a lot of time and meeting people in my years. I just want people outside America to know that this is NOT the norm and isn’t even common. It’s a small group that for some reason need to get some kind of recognition for their child being considered beautiful and talented. The average mother who puts her kids mental welfare first, never even considers this kind of thing.

[@nibsvkh]

Thank you for stating the obvious! 🤨

[@Seabreeezy]

@@nibsvkh thank you for taking the time to be so sweet. (Oh, and clever) In case you hadn’t noticed, often when something that happens in America is highlighted, people not from here DO think it’s a very common thing and make comments about “Americans”. Why don’t you go thank someone for their unkind statements and maybe it will be useful.

[@m.bplus3623]

From Australia. Thankyou! I have seen the show and it appalled me so much. I have never understood people who put their children in competitions based on looks. But this is next level... Makeup/ the hair/ fake tan on a toddler. I don't know if we have any of these competitions in Australia. 🤷‍♀

[@Seabreeezy]

@@m.bplus3623 so glad to hear from you in Australia! I suspect that you don’t have these things in Australia because they are so outrageous that word gets around! Hope you are having a great New Year!

[@m.bplus3623]

@@Seabreeezy I want to visit America so much. To meet people in the country farming areas. See if it's much the same as Australia.

[@PamelaFacer-f2l]

The parents are pimping out their little girls. Living their lifes vicariously through their kids.

[@MartinaWta-k7g]

Her death was so devastating. This is a classic example of someone being caught in a time warp

[@bluemoon1033]

Whose death? Eden Wood is alive.

[@Julia-nl3gq]

@@bluemoon1033 She's probably talking about Jonbenet Ramsey.