Miss America 2013
Personally, I have to take the more liberal side and say that beauty pageants are outdated. With the way gender roles have been changing and women becoming more empowered, the ideal woman who truly represents the “spirit” of America has changed tremendously in the 21st century. Gone are the days when only boys were told they could be president and girls aspired to be beauty queens. The traditions in which the beauty pageants are rooted in are no longer relevant today.
It’s Time to Show Real Beauty
Dove “Real Beauty” Campaign
Today, real beauty is all about being authentic and transcendent. If we truly want to celebrate beauty, there should be more than one type of women competing. Regardless of ethnicity, women should not have to put on makeup, walk in heels and meet certain beauty standards to enter. I’m not saying we get rid of the “girly girls” from the competition. I’m merely saying we should include all types of women in beauty pageants now, from petite and plus size to fashionistas and tomboys.
Until then, women need to balance beauty and brains. They need to understand that they don’t have to bank their self-worth only on physical appearance or only on intellect. True beauty and confidence is knowing your worth as a human being.
Exercise 10. Face another student and engage in these fun 2-minute debates. Your teacher will time you and tell you to change partners.
It should be “Ms.” and not “Miss” Universe. vs. “Miss” is the traditional word.
Married women should be allowed to enter the contest. vs. It’s for single ladies only.
Wearing bikinis in public in a religious country is bad. vs. Hey, it’s 2005.
Beauty pageants are ridiculous. vs. Beauty pageants are very exciting
Beauty contests are unfair to ordinary looking women. vs. Life is unfair.
Miss Universe is a racist contest. White women usually win. vs. It’s open to all races.
Beauty pageants are sexist. vs. The women who enter pageants don’t think so.
Exercise 11. Role-play.
Imagine that you are a team of producers for a TV channel. Recently it has been suggested that a beauty competition might be a good way of attracting more viewers. You need to think about:
the rules of competition
who can enter
the prize
what the contestants will wear
how you will make your contest different in order to attract viewers
Exercise 12. Choose an item and respond to it in writing.
‘’Beauty is only skin-deep.’’
‘’Are beauty contests outdated?’’