I ran into this article by The Sun today about a pageant girl who was born in a refugee camp, and it made me think about beauty pageants.

There’s a stereotype of the pretty but shallow young girl who’s forced into doing pageants by her mother. And my natural response to that is “poor child, she is being raised to value her worth based on her appearance…”

But then I remember that beauty pageants usually also have a talent section and general culture quiz, making it less about the looks… 

What are your thoughts on beauty pageants?