I say no, but I also thing yes. Because watching "Toddlers and Tiaras" has showed me that children participating in "glitzy" pageants are bratty and their parents are moronic, hypocritical, bitches/bastards. But if you watch the children in natural pageants in which they wear the dress, maybe do their hair a little fancier than normal, but don't lather themselves in make-up and stuff, it really is a fun way to express themselves, also being showed off and winning a crown here and their really does boost their self esteems! I love watching those little girls have fun dancing around the stage looking all happy, normal, and NATURAL. One of the best things is their pretty smiles and photogenic faces. Plus, their parents aren't so stupid and stuck-up !

If Kids want to take part I dont think there's a problem it's just when they are unwilling participants that I think it is detrimental

eeeew.... why do you even want to smell them... sometimes, being too close for comfort is really to be too close...

These kids will eventually grow up to be our future models and actors so let's pump our industry and economy early!

No, I think beauty pageants help children to suck it up and grow a pair. There are going to be people judging them unfairly, based upon something superficial and shallow, most of their lives. By getting an early start, they get an edge/

How about cheerleading?

They are also put in small costumes and it's probably the perverts fantasy land.

Basketball, badminton .. you name a sport for women were they aren't wearing tiny clothes.

Are all those sports detrminetal for children? Should we ban them to save them from the horror of being looked at by people?

To compete on who is looking better, is not worse for a kid than compete who's doing better in fx. sports or musical competitions.

As long as the daughter wants to enter a Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant and she is happy to be a contestant, then the beauty pageant would not be detrimental.