Children to take to catwalk in Brighton beauty pageant (From The Argus)
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Children to take to catwalk in Brighton beauty pageant
9:00am Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By Emily Walker, Chief Reporter
Baby beauty pageant organiser Anita Moss with her daughter Beau
A beauty pageant for babies is coming to Brighton.
The Teenie Mr and Miss contest is coming to the city next month and parents of boys and girls aged from zero to 16 are being urged to sign their offspring up.
Reality TV star Jessica Wright – of The Only Way is Essex – will be appearing at the competition.
The organiser said she felt the lingerie model – who was filmed having a breast enlargement oper- ation for the TV show – was a “good role model”.
But outraged Brighton mothers have condemned the Brighton event as “tawdry” and expressed concerns it could sexualise youngsters.
Mother Anita Moss, of Southampton, who is behind the event, said: “I think she’s a good role model because she looks pretty.
“All the kids love TOWIE. I think they like the way she looks. They want to grow up and look like her.”
Ms Moss said babies aged just 14 months had been entered in her previous catwalk competition, but it would be up to parents whether their children wore make-up.
She said: “It is a catwalk, but it’s up to the parents whether they wear makeup.
“The kids want make up, but it’s just stage makeup, and we judge them on their inner beauty.
“The little ones just walk up and down, the older ones do routines.”
Miss Moss said her own three-year-old daughter Beau had entered several pageants and she was intending to dress her up in a “little show girl outfit” for the Brighton event.
Ms Moss added: “We have had a bit of interest already – but most people interested are coming from up north.
“We want to get more kids from Brighton.”
Mother Jenifer Saunders, 31, of Shaftesbury Road, Brighton, said: “I’m really surprised to see this kind of event in Brighton.
“I can’t think of anyone who would think that contest is good for very young girls. At best it enforces the belief that young girls should be judged on their looks and at worst sexualises them.”
Mother-of-two Jo Bowring, 36, of Southampton Street, Brighton, said: “It’s horrible – the idea that children that young need to com- pete in such a tawdry contest.
“What kind of message is it sending our children, that their physical appearance is so important?"
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Comments(14)
Atticus
says...
9:17am Wed 6 Mar 13
VeritySpott
says...
10:04am Wed 6 Mar 13
/en/petition/Stop_th
e_Childrens_Beauty_P
ageant_in_Brighton/e
dit/
mimseycal
says...
10:40am Wed 6 Mar 13
It is, ultimately, a value issue and a purely subjective one at that.
I am sure that those parents who will engage with this, and consequently subject their children to it, do not do so with a lack of concern for their children; nor love, care or pride for that matter. Some will no doubt go way over the top with it but for the majority it will just be an experience they share with their children.
I won't sign the petition thank you.
whereisthe...?
says...
11:36am Wed 6 Mar 13
WHEN are we going to stop being so scared to criticise women for such behaviour??!!!
This is DAMAGING to kids, experts have proven this - and I know someone who knows the 'mother' featured and she has a reputation for being rude, obnoxious and frankly crazy with EVERYONE - even strangers!
But no, in an age of "no more PC", we STILL are not allowed to criticise women - talk about double standards!!
Time responsible women, men, and fathers etc SPOKE OUT against this.
Brighton in particular is FULL of such crazy selfish women. Anyone claiming "its their choice" is also either stupid, lazy or selfish - we KNOW this is wrong and damaging to kids - or is damaging your children's lives "a women's right" too and none of our business (accept when we have to deal with the aftermath as the poor kids grow into messed up adults)
CANNOT believe the selfishness of such people, and the apathy of those around them - could it be that the "its their choice" morons secretly agree with her...? Pretty obvious.
This must STOP.
Brightonaldm
says...
12:03pm Wed 6 Mar 13
Teaching that we should value people based on appearance is damaging and wrong. I for one will be picketing this event.
whereisthe...?
says...
12:30pm Wed 6 Mar 13
Rather than argue amongst ourselves, while nothing gets done, why not agree, whatever our reasons on the outcome of our views - we all want it stopped. Coming together is how things get changed - we dont have to agree on everything.
Sexualisation/ superficiality/ etc, all fine with me. I too will be picketing the event.
Anyone want to start a Facebook page for this? I'll sign up and spread it...! "Keep Infant Dependants Safe" perhaps? (K.I.D.S acronym)
(from "Brighton Baby Beauty Show")
Just a thought...
Cave Johnson
says...
12:34pm Wed 6 Mar 13
getThisCoalitionOut
says...
12:41pm Wed 6 Mar 13
VeritySpott wrote:I am 100% against anything like this. It is wrong to judge a baby/child on how beautiful it is and which one is the best, NO< NO< NO
If you feel strongly about this please sign here: http://www.avaaz.org
/en/petition/Stop_th
e_Childrens_Beauty_P
ageant_in_Brighton/e
dit/
I've tried to sign the petition but it won't come up and I've gone onto the avaaz site and can't find it
Crystal Ball
says...
1:59pm Wed 6 Mar 13
whereisthe...?
says...
2:19pm Wed 6 Mar 13
Venue would probably withdraw right for them to hold the thing there if much Facebook interest.
davenachfan
says...
5:38pm Wed 6 Mar 13
VeritySpott wrote:I can't find the petition but will gladly sign one. Please let children be children and encourage them to play in puddles and sandpits rather than be pretend adults.
If you feel strongly about this please sign here: http://www.avaaz.org
/en/petition/Stop_th
e_Childrens_Beauty_P
ageant_in_Brighton/e
dit/
VeritySpott
says...
8:58am Thu 7 Mar 13
/en/petition/Stop_th
e_Childrens_Beauty_P
ageant_in_Brighton/?
fuyqneb&pv=5
that's a better link
sparkleparade
says...
12:14pm Thu 14 Mar 13
I went to the Southampton event last month and it was amazing..all the children had fun with the mayor or Southmpton in full support of the event and what they do for the community. Each child raises money for the chosen charity which gives diables people a dream and they raised £1000 for that cause. Thats 5 little ones dreams.
Please can someone tell me at dance competitions, what exactly are they being judged on? You wouldnt see a ballerina in a comp with messy hair, clothes a mess etc!! Also ballet, gymnastic shows..Do they wear stage makeup? Yes they do? So please what is the difference?
At these events its good quality time with mother/ Daughter, and you have to see to really know what its about.
As for Jessica Wrigh, regardless of whether shes had boob jobs etc..she is a strong independent, successful woman and I think she is a very good role model for youngsters wanting to branch out and start a buisness of there own and be successful in life.
As for makeup, tans etc..This doesnt happen in the UK, hense my point earlier about watching American TV. And even if it did, its natural for a young girl to experiment with there mums makeup and id think it was rather weird if they didnt tbh.
My brother has Down Syndrom and is Mini Mr Worldwide and since he has been doing pageants he speaks better, has more confidence and is a completly different child for the better. He won because he is a special little boy with that special something that won the judges over. He has no talent of a sport or anything just loves the stage.
mimseycal says...
9:07am Wed 6 Mar 13