When most pageant parents are asked why their children enter beauty pageants, their answers are predictable. Their son wants it; they really like participating in contests, which is understandable. What child doesn't love attention? Another answer is that their child can show their talents, such as singing, dancing and looking cute. Winners of these contests often also receive cash prizes, although they typically do not amount to the amount of money that parents spend preparing for the contest itself. These are valid answers, however skeptics believe there are other reasons as well. “It is believed that many parents live vicariously through their children so as to achieve the things they failed to achieve in their own lives. […] Watching your child be admired and flattered is a clear boost to the ego of many parents” (Maliakal). It's normal for parents to want their children to have a better life and more opportunities than them. Parents are progressively starting to coach their children in a sport at a young age so they can be better than their parents were, go further than their parents did, or be the best on the team. This is not an unnatural desire, most parents want the best for their children, but when it comes to beauty pageants, there is often a negative effect. Nowadays, most children participate in beauty pageants before they can even walk. Their parents dress them in children's clothes and tuxedos, and even put makeup on them. Many say they let their children choose to do whatever they want, and if they wanted to stop participating in pageants, their parents would take them out immediately. The only problem is that these kids don't know anything different from the beautiful model life they raised in the middle of paper...agomeni, Carmela. "STUDENT PETITION TO BAN TV SHOW; 'CREEPY' CHILDREN'S BEAUTY CONTEST." The Hamilton Spectator (ON) n.d.: Newspaper Source Plus. Network. 12 March 2014.Gerdes, Louise I. The Culture of Beauty. Farmington Hills: Greenhaven, 2013. Print.Hollandsworth, Salta. "Children in tiaras." MAS Ultra - School edition. Student ResearchCenter, August 2011. Web. March 10, 2014.Maliakal, Lalan. "Beauty contests for children: pros and cons." Buzzle.com. Buzzle.com, February 7, 2013. Network. March 12, 2014. Morgan, Mandy. “Boys and Tears: The Sexualization of Girls.” DeseretNews.com.Np, Nov. 17, 2012. Web. Mar. 12, 2014. Triggs, Charlotte. “Toddlers and Tiaras Controversy: Are They Growing Up Too Fast?” People Magazine. PEOPLE.com, September 14, 2011. Web. March 11, 2014. “Young Girls and Self-Esteem.” Digital image. Desert news. Statisticbrain.com, November 17, 2012.Web. March 12. 2014.