Mum had children so they could 'do' pageants

Friday, December 9, 2011

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The season opener in the US of Toddlers & Tiaras shows a mother who not only admits that she had her two children to 'do' pageants, but that they find their inspiration from drag queens.

Katie and Robert are the proud parents of two children, Bob, 6 and Riley, 5 who are more than happy to share their secret to the controversial world of child beauty pageant success. They get most of their inspiration from singer, actor, drag queen RuPaul.

"We have taken our children to several drag shows," Katie says, where she studies the 'language' of the hosts so she can incorporate it into her children's performance.

The main instruction we see here is Katie encouraging her kids to act 'fierce' and not to worry what other people think.

"I've had her (daughter Riley) perform 'Poker Face' on the bar at Applebee's," she told the off-screen interviewer.

"It's not like people threw dollars at her or anything," the mother rationalised. "She's not a stripper."

VIEW GALLERY: How young is too young

Many consider the trend of young girls being paraded around wearing make-up and heels close to child abuse. There are organisations such as the Australian Childhood Foundation, Kids Free 2B kids, who have urged the government to make it illegal for children under the age of 14 to participate in pageants.

What do you think about child beauty pageants? Enter your comments below.

Toddlers and Tiaras currently shows on the Lifestyle YOU network.

User comments

This is just plain wrong. Children should not have their childhoods stolen from them, by their narcisstic mothers.

Having children for the sake of placing them in pageants is not a reason to have kids. What happens when they grow up? Or for those kids that hate what the parents are forcing them to do? Seems to me like these "parents" are trying to live vicariously through their children instead of letting them be individuals of their own right - but this is not child abuse. To even call it that is to downplay truly abused children - the ones that don't get fed, are verbally, physically, sexually abused, not provided shelter, education, clothing or water to bathe in, etc.. Don't get me wrong, I understand the rage so many parents feel (and Lord knows I certainly won't do anything like this with our expected child), but this is not child abuse.

Too many people exploit their kids for these ridiculous things... I have 4 girls, they have never once asked to go in these competitions, imagine being little and losing, it makes the child feel like they weren't pretty enough. Let kids be kids.

Childhood is for such a limited time. We are adults for far longer than we are children, let them be children and enjoy the normal things that children are supposed to do, for goodness sake Mums live your own life and stop trying to grab the spotlight through your children, if you want to win a beauty pageant get up there yourself instead of putting your child through it and wearing the poor little things to the point of exhaustion, any child is going to do what they think Mummy and Daddy want them to do just to keep their parents happy, whether they want to do it or not, allow them to make that choice for THEMSELVES when they are old enough to form their own opinions. LET THEM BE CHILDREN LIFE IS SHORT ENOUGH AS IT IS,

I am in full agreeance with the stand of Kids Free 2B Kids and Australian Childhood Foundation that this should not happen in Australia. Particularly, in the style and fashion stated above of teaching your children to behave like a drag queen. I wonder how many, in a drag queen's youth, were sexually abused kids themselves. Because she has set-cast her children into this role, she has placed limits on their future potential to fulfill their own dreams, and not just that of their parents. And, you've got to wonder what parents are making out of this financially to make it worth their while?

When will this form of child abuse be recognised and stopped.

I personally think Baby Pageants are just a way for parents who are unhappy with their own lives take huge advantage of their children to enter these stupid farces called pageants. Instead of teaching their little ones to learn & play they pluck their eyebrows & bleach their hair & make them look rediculous. Childhood is so important & is gone so fast. This is child abuse. When was the last time these kids played at a beach, made mud pies or slid down a slippery dip at a park or worse read a book? Probably never. Shame on all the parents & organisers of these tordid shows.

Not even worth a response. Its a form of child abuse and they should have their children removed. Sick narcissistic individuals should not be allowed to be mothers.

These poor little kids look more like mini drag queens than children.

How can a child under the age of 4 years decide that she loves parading around dressed in an outfit that grown women wear -almost a sex object. Before she can do this the said CHILD endures fake covers for teeth, fake tans, fake nails, fake hair pieces and outfits that are obviously not always comfortable and are more suitable for - yes DRAG Queens. The mothers seem to be lacking in any form of success in their own lives and are trying to win a pathetic crown that would fit an adult - they are not even sized to fit a small child- Its a sad world when parents rob children of their childhood!