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Pritika Das

Semester Final Project-Professor Cacoilo

12-04-2012

Beauty Queens have no Limits Throughout the centuries and into present day art, the depiction of women in media is expressed more vividly through television and live broadcasting, although the essential way of seeing women, the essential use to which their images are put, has not changed (Berger 63-64). The role of women in various forms of art continues to be flattering and pleasant. One of the recent changes that have occurred focuses on the various age groups who are encouraged to take on roles of flattery and showcasing themselves with the intention of gaining popularity through their beauty. With these attributes, come several downfalls to the fame and glamour, such as emotional and physical deterioration. I chose to research the effects that the pageantry life has on women, and how these effects can be self-deprecating. Beginning with the male gaze, to current events that continue to speculate women and force them to appear in ways that are appealing or entertaining to society. In the painting The Judgment of Paris by Rubens, a further element is now addedthe element of Judgment. Paris award the apple to the woman he finds most beautiful. Thus beauty becomes competitive (Berger 52). In modern day theory this analysis of the painting can be compared to a beauty pageant. This painting illustrates how the beauty if define based on reward and recognition. From the 1500s beauty was viewed in the eye of the beholder, although it created a sense of discrimination as well. Based on superficial aspects, one is considered beautiful. In this era, the male figure judged who was to be given the prize (Berger 52). This custom also led to the objectification of women. They were seen as objects to be won, or were placed under scrutiny. It was important for the man in the painting as well as the spectator-owner to feel powerful and dominant over women. In this case the man is exerting his power by giving preference to one of the women. Although by giving her the prize, one can infer

Pritika Das

Semester Final Project-Professor Cacoilo

12-04-2012

that he now has control over her. The women who did not receive the prize are not considered worthy enough for the male, as well as not beautiful (Berger 52). It is also important to take note of the nudity in this piece of art. It is clearly shown that the womens hair is inconspicuously shown in order to minimize sexual power and passion (Berger 52). These emotions and desires are reserved for the man solely.

In the painting, Susannah and the Elders by Tintoretto, the concept of vanity is introduced. She is looking at herself in the painting, thus joins the spectators of herself (Berger 50). Her attitude in the painting is submissive and docile. She is not addressing the presence of the elders in the painting. As she sits passively, she also gives off the sense that she is inviting and is not resistant. She is painted her in the traditional role of a female, who does not act, but merely appears. Her role im the painting lacks character and action. Her position is casual and she does not show intense emotion. In this painting it can be perceived that her act of looking in the mirror can portray that she is being critical of herself and is viewing herself under the same speculation as the viewer. In regards to the elders in this painting, it is clear that she does not

Pritika Das

Semester Final Project-Professor Cacoilo

12-04-2012

object or show any negative emotions towards them observing her. Their presence is not prominent in the painting, and somewhat blends in with the background.

To further the analysis of a woman holding a mirror in the painting, her vanity as perceived can be viewed as being hypocritical (Berger). The painting Vanity by Memling depicts how the nude woman is being called vain simply because she is holding a mirror. This opinion of women can be seeing as morally condemning because it criticizes her demeanor based on how he chose to showcase her. Women are placed in these social identities of being vain and superficial all the while being placed in these categories by men. According to Bergers analysis, you painted a naked woman because you enjoyed looking at her[and] whose nakedness you depicted for your own pleasure(Berger 51). Thus women continued to receive criticism for roles they did not voluntarily take on. In this time period they continue to be portrayed in art, mostly as nudes, and objects placed in paintings for the male gaze.

Pritika Das

Semester Final Project-Professor Cacoilo

12-04-2012

Bergers analysis also highlights how there was an overwhelmingly unequal relationship between women and men in society, which was reflected in the artwork during this time period. It was so deeply embedded in our culture that is still structures the self consciousness of many women. They do to themselves that men do to them. They survey, like men, their own femininity (Berger 63). As mentioned earlier the societal effects were influencing artwork at this time, especially how women perceived themselves. Some of the societal conditions reflected in womens position in art were based on the premise that a woman must continually watch herself. She is almost continually accompanied by her own image of herself (Berger 46). These values have been instilled in women from an extremely young age, in order for them to be aware of the proper way to conduct in society. A womans success is dependent on a mans opinion of her, and how a woman appears to a man can determine how she will be treated(Berger 46). Thus the artwork from the 1400-1500s and the reasoning behind it illustrates how women were undervalued and lost their sense of self. They have been taught to be extremely self-conscious, and appear to be pleasant and appealing to their audience. There can be similar comparisons to how women of all ages are portrayed in media in the 21st century as well. When announcing the winner of Miss America, it was always suspenseful to see which young woman would be crowned the most beautiful and charismatic, out of all the contestants. Once crowned, the winner of the Miss America pageant would be "used," while the other 49 young women would be useless (Napikoski). From a feminist perspective, contests and beauty pageants are alternative ways to degrade women and make them believe they are not worthy enough if they do not place in the final rounds. According to the article Beauty Pageants as Competition Rigged and Unrigged by author Linda Napikoski, such contests cause immense competition among women and relate to the oppression of women (Napikoski). In this article

Pritika Das

Semester Final Project-Professor Cacoilo

12-04-2012

feminist Gloria Steinem voices her view on beauty pageants as well, she states, traditionally women have been encouraged to compete with one another to "win" over men. She believes that beauty contests are a variation of the same competition, on a larger scale. Overall this article explains that the elimination rounds and the final awards being given out reinforce the idea that the other 49 women who competed were not good enough - let alone the millions of other American women who watched(Napikoski).

Beauty pageants and contests such as Miss USA, and Miss World have a deteriorating effect on young girls and women as well. Starting from a young age girls are exposed to seeing women on fashion shows, and beauty contests; they begin to understand the importance of a beautiful face and a slim body. For most girls they perceive these trophy-winning women to have all the ideal qualities. Girls, who are highly influenced by these beauty contests, begin to shape their lives in ways that will allow them to partake in such contests as well. The younger generation has been exposed to contests and pageants, which they can be a part of from as young as a toddler. According to an article featured in Time Magazine, Playing the Pageants by

Pritika Das

Semester Final Project-Professor Cacoilo

12-04-2012

Elizabeth Gleick, these young women who enter pageants are print-little size women often done up like trick ponies (Gleick). The author discusses the business aspect of pageant and how young women and little girls are encouraged to flaunt their beauty on national television. Upon observing the face of a pageant girl, the huge, inviting mascaraed eyes, the fluttering false lashes, the layers of professionally applied makeup, the highlighted, upswept hair is vividly noticeable (Gleick). Their bodies fit the stereotypical underweight category as well. These are all attributes are highly valued for the pageant organizers. Research indicates there are about 3,000 pageants a year in the U.S., 500 of which cater to the preteen-and-under set (Gleick). Pageants are known to make high profits due to the numerous fees they collect, including entry fees, registration fees, fees for the event itself, and any training or consultations fees as well. Thus the reason for their existence is money. If the pageant makes a profit, it will continue (Gleick).

Pritika Das

Semester Final Project-Professor Cacoilo

12-04-2012

In this world of fame and glamour the women undergo a lot of strain. Starting from a young age, they receive an immense amount of pressure from them parents to perform well, and win. Specifically in the television show Toddlers & Tiaras, parents feel as if they have invested a lot of time and money into entering their children into these pageants, and therefore they are constant under judgment. The judges themselves have been a witness to the pushiest of stage parents [who] ruin the event for a child (Gleick). According to one of the judges, if a child loses, they feel like they let the parent downIve even seen a mother yelling at her kid [prior to the event,] and then when the child wins the pageant, all of a sudden the child becomes a little angel(Gleick). This extremity of behavior from the parents has a negative impact on the child because they are under pressure to win in fear of disappointing their parents. This affects the childs self esteem because she correlates winning and happiness with being beautiful and pleasing her audience. Her self worth is diminished down to how others perceive her and, her success is based on their judgment.

Pritika Das

Semester Final Project-Professor Cacoilo

12-04-2012

To expand on the psychological effects of entering beauty pageants and alternative contests, the superficiality of it all could usher in a host of emotional problems in young adulthood(Shultz, Murphy). The constant parading of oneself in front of others and constant judgment being received based solely on looks and body image is detrimental to ones perception of themself. In the article Beauty Pageants Draw Children and Criticism featured on ABC Good Morning America, experts argue that [pageants] can be harmful to girls, teaching them that their self-worth is measured by how pretty they are (Shultz, Murphy). From a young age, women are being taught that beautybody, and their attractivenessis of total primary importance (Shultz, Murphy). Two of the most vital conditions that can result due to being apart of the modeling industry are low self-esteem and potential eating disorders. In the article, Child Beauty Pageants: Read the Warning Label prevailing emotional issues are discussed. For example, young women are being given the invisible message [to] put others peoples needs and desires before your own. This can cause depression, loss of identity, and anxiety. The concept of happiness is also based on being perfect in every way. Regardless of the age of the women in pageants they are taught that mad/sad feelings are bad, happy/content feelings are good. They are always forced to smile and be poised and portray their appealing characteristics to their spectators. Thus this results in girls internalizing or avoiding any uncomfortable feelings. Since they must always take on a cheerful and appealing persona, they learn to ignore any problems they be facing. A negative side effect of not being allowed to express their feelings can result in eating disorders. Additionally being under pressure to look their best, which includes being too-skinny can force women of all ages to follow strict diet regulations. Statistics from the newsletter Eating Disorders-Womens Health Updates published in the Contemporary Women Issues database shows that eighty-five to 95 percent of those suffering from eating

Pritika Das

Semester Final Project-Professor Cacoilo

12-04-2012

disorders are women. It is also common for eating disorders to begin at a young age, usually between the ages of 12 and 25. Depending on the severity of the disorders, the individual can require several medical attentions or can even face the possibility of death. Instead of preventing women from enduring such health risks, society and their families are potentially causing them harm. Instead of discussing how unrealistic the body images of models in the media are, young women are being encouraged to take on the same path. Once in the industry they are under constant to look a certain way and remain a certain weight as well. Overall these psychological effects can be extremely harmful and should not be taken lightly. Women should put an end to objectifying themselves, and performing for others at the rick of losing their self worth and putting themselves in danger.

Playing at Pageants Elizabeth Gleick

Pritika Das

Semester Final Project-Professor Cacoilo

12-04-2012

Works Cited Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. Article. Print. http://womenshistory.about.com/od/Miss-America-Protests/a/Beauty-Pageants-As-CompetitionRigged-And-Unrigged.htm http://search.rdsinc.com/texis/rds/suite/+ZcOeGXc1wFqrG1BtnG5TFqnh1ccewxnxmwwwwwe wrt3ewhanmse5cuBOwww/showdoc.html?thisTbl=CWI http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,137165,00.html http://www.momlogic.com/2009/04/child_beauty_pageants.php

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=126315&page=1#.UL4J37RgPzI http://www.businessinsider.com/toddlers-and-tiaras-controversies-2012-9 http://search.rdsinc.com/texis/rds/suite/+mBejxVUe3xbtqrG1BtnG5TFqnh1ccewx1qmwwww/sh owdoc.html?thisTbl=CWI http://books.google.com/books?id=aVDZchwkIMEC&pg=PA93&lpg=PA93&dq=beauty+pagea nt+criticism&source=bl&ots=z2JSS6gmWP&sig=99qx9FMX52rcXDMjrzMSjJKng5c&hl=en& sa=X&ei=5kGUKy8NtGz0QGp7IGgDA&sqi=2&ved=0CHgQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=beauty%20pageant% 20criticism&f=false

Pritika Das

Semester Final Project-Professor Cacoilo

12-04-2012

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