Pageants

A few days ago my mom was watching the Miss Universe Pageant.  I saw it while walking by and just blew it off.  Then the other day I received a Facebook invite from one of my ex-gf's friend for a pageant fundraiser.  Instead of RSVPing yes or no, I just quietly ignored it.  The thing is, there are things about pageants that I hate and I don't want to support it.  I don't hate pageants because I hate my ex-gf, I but for a host of other reasons.  I wasn't crazy about pageants when my ex was into them, but I will support a gf in whatever they want to do.  While we were dating I learned all about pageants and to be completely honest, I don't know why anyone would want to do one.

Pageants are advertised as a scholarship opportunity.  After talking to any of the competitors, you'll find that they spend more money preparing for the pageant then they have the possibility to win.  Plus the contestant deemed the winner is highly dependent on the judges, one panel of judges might pick one girl whereas another panel would pick a different.  And for some reason that I don't understand, the contestants take it very personal when they lose.  When I lose a race I might be let down, but I'm not sad about it, these girls are crushed, especially the young ones.

Then to top it all off, if you do win a title, you serve that post for a year.  From talking to the girls I know, this is their favorite part of the whole process, doing fun appearances such as being in parades.  The only thing that bugs me about the appearances is that at the end of the year these girls get Presidential Volunteer Service Awards recognizing them for volunteering for 100 hours in the year.  I've done a lot of volunteer work in the past and getting dressed up and walking around events isn't volunteering!  Albeit they might do some work at a few of the events, it's no where near 100 working hours to deserve that award.

Not to take anything away from the girls though, because some of the pageant girls I've meet are some of the most accomplished women I know my age.

Knowing my luck, one day I'll have a daughter and she'll want to compete in pageants...