Toddler Pageant

Last night there was a programme on toddler pageants. What do you think of children doing these shows? Do you think they encourage kids to be confident, or damage them?

I found whilst working at a school that the girls who attended the stage school/ dancing after school clubs were always very confident, mostly over confident. The confidence isn't what I see as a problem it's the concentration on being shallow and superficial thats damaging.

It's bad enough that half the adult world want to be thin rather than fit; it's just so sad that even toddlers are being brain washed into thinking looks are important in life!

I agree, I think there needs to be more emphasis on beng fit and healthy rather than being shallow and skinny.

A lot of women seem to be  using weights to get a better body image - they say that looking at your body as something that can lift a certain weight makes you consider it differently. I bought this topic up with my friends and one of them said they watched a similar programme and the mum bought her 8 year old a boob job for her 18th birthday. That is sick.

Her name is Sarah Burge, she's as plastic as Barbie and gives her children vouchers for future surgery etc...

It's tragic that so many children are being taught that their looks are most important. Don't get me wrong, my mum brought me up that you should make the most of yourself and that you should be presentable. Relying on looks is rediculous. I'm amazed that there are so many women currently famous for absolutely nothing but posing. 

Personally I'd love it if we could bin the superficial culture.

What?! This is very disturbing... Surely she realises that is absolutely terrible parenting?

I doubt she does, but it is crazy isn't it? How can anyone think that that will give their child a positive body image. I hope the craze doesn't start in the uk, or has it already?

She does! She works in the cosmetic business and is mostly plastic herself.

There is a pic of her child holding the voucher and one with her posing next to a stuffed bra on a mannequin. Also photos of the mother giving her 16 year old daughter botox injections.

Such a disturbing world we live in.

This is awful, but I think this form of abusive parenting is just as bad as parents who feed their children takeaways, fried foods, fizzy drinks, chocolate etc on a daily basis- the kids don't know any different. Parents should know better.

I think the diet thing is terrible too, I saw a woman who was really prgnant yesterday eating a McDonalds - i had to stop myself from going over to her and telling her how wrong that was!

I think parents should give their children the best nutrition to help them grow and stay healthy from day 1 in the womb right up until they leave home!

Me too! I don't understand people who eat things like McDonalds when they're pregnant, fair enough if you indugle in some things but that's the worst type of food surely. I always sound like such a snob when i say this but it makes me angry

I do agree that you should eat heathily and actually give your children the best but I think alot of adults seem to struggle to know what actually is healthy.

People are aware the likes of McDonalds are complete junk, but what with the likes of weight loss places telling people they can eat all the things they like and still lose weight etc people get confused.