The first beauty pageant for children began in America in the 1960s and started a major American trend. Back then, little girls wore their Sunday best, with no makeup and no revealing clothes, nothing as extravagant as kids are today. Child beauty pageants are so popular here in the United States that there is a reality show called "Toddlers and Tiaras." This show shows what happens from the beginning to the end of the day. The show shows what the contestants go through to prepare for the show, how they are transformed to look like little adults. They try to act as if they are older than them and behave in a way that is not befitting of a little girl. Beauty pageants teach little girls that their appearance and flirting is how they win in life. Beauty pageants should be limited to children under the age of 16. Beauty pageants are too vigorous for children and send the wrong message about what beauty should be. At beauty pageants, 4-year-old girls spend hours preparing for a competition. They wore as much makeup as an adult would wear. They get fake eyelashes, fake teeth, spray tans, hair extensions and a few low-cut dresses, and then they're told to go on stage and impress the judges. If you are not a certain size and maintain it, you are considered unattractive, so many girls begin to obsess about their weight at such a young age. They starve themselves on purpose to maintain the "appropriate" weight and win. When contestants make poor judgments of themselves, it can lead to low self-esteem and eating disorders. Limiting age requirements for beauty pageants will relieve pressure on children who don't want to participate. A pe...... middle of paper ......p, dancing and singing and winning prizes for placing higher than the other children. Supporters say this is a way to earn money, scholarships and college. Is it right to teach children that beauty is based solely on what is on the outside, or should they know that beauty comes from within? Beauty pageants teach children at a young age that people will judge someone based on appearance and not personality. For years, beauty pageants have relied on children wearing hairpieces, makeup, spray tans and dentures. Beauty pageants decrease self-esteem and teach children bad morals. Beauty pageants create mental and physical harm to a child during the pageant. Beauty pageants should be limited to children under the age of 16; their fragile minds are not ready for the criticism that comes with the idea of ​​being “perfect” in the minds of judges.