Sparks at a Young Age Impact Adult LifeAn Argumentative Essay on Beauty PageantsDancing on stage in tiny, sequential outfits, consuming tons of sugar and energy drinks, and getting high beautifying with spray tans, fake hairpieces and heavy makeup look very fun on girls. The chance to dress up as a princess and win tiaras or money is every little girl's dream. Unfortunately, they know nothing about it and get involved in activities they shouldn't be attracted to. According to Martina M. Cartwright's article, "participation in beauty pageants has soared since the late 1990s, and today more than 16,000 natural and gorgeous pageants for children are held annually in the United States, with approximately 290,000 contestants." (1105). Writer Lucy Wolfe states in her article that many bloggers have chastised parents of young girls for “puffing [their] young daughter with uppers, teaching her that self-worth is tied to what others think of her[,] and transforming her into a total [expletive] monster” (429). He also describes a situation in January 2012 with a mother who filed a $30 million lawsuit over a public report that "[a]s a result, Isabella is now perceived sexually, erotically[,] and pornographically" (430 ). Unfortunately, Lindsay Lieberman states, “although commonly criticized for such outlandish and destructive practices, the children's pageant industry enjoys greater success and widespread popularity” (745). The negative effects of children's involvement in beauty pageants are becoming evident in their growth and development as young women. Examples include physical, emotional and social challenges in life, including body shame, perfectionism, depression and eating disorders. Beauty pageants are a brain… middle of the paper… you know. Berry says, "I understand why the public's perspective tends to be so negative about competitions, because they're little girls. I wish the public would see more of the experience we get" (Morgan). The health and happiness of the young contestants are more important than the luxury that comes with winning. If no one stops exposing young girls to beauty pageants, what will our next generations be like? Young girls running around portraying fake looks, transforming into someone completely different from who they really are. While beauty pageants can reinforce the fairy tale that physical beauty guarantees fame, fortune, and happiness, this activity can tarnish the child with physical, emotional, and social challenges. Children's exposure to the pageantry circuit is becoming evident in their growth and development as young women.