It goes against the natural development of a person...

It all depends on the mothers. Poor little girls having to spend their childhood to satisfy their mother's ambition in life. Anyway where are the fathers in all this don't they have a say.

It can be sad ...

Don't know much about them tbh, we don't have them here as far as I know. Do think they are fun for the kiddies to take part in if not taken too seriously.

I am against these pageants as they do objectify and sexualize young girls. I truly feel that is what a Mom dreamed of for herself and missed out.

Absolute waste of time and a great deal of money. If a kid wants to play dress up, raid mom's closet or the thrift store!

Parents need to realize what harm this does.

exploiting and objectify

Not in favour of them ... makes the child too self absorbed. In an already 'I WANT' world. So many issues with this subject, its endless ... dont get me started!!! Not to mention the sexualization ... let them b little girls ... even that doesnt seem to last long these days!!! Most r growing up way too quick anyway ... as sexual images r being used to sell most things these days. R.I.P. sweet JonBenet Ramsay :(

I really think it depends on the child and parent, to some its just harmless fun (some girls really do like to dress up and look pretty, nothing to do with coming first etc) Whereas some will get bogged down and pressured to "perform" also someone raised a very valid point that it would be very damaging to the child if after all her efforts, eyebrow threading, sitting still for makeup etc and rehearsals yada yada she was told that she "wasn't good enough" :(