[1] These impacts can negatively affect a contestant's self-esteem and relationship with their own bodies throughout their lives due to hyperfixation on achieving professional adult aesthetics at a young age.
As Vernon R. Wiehe, a professor in the University of Kentucky College of Social Work, states, "sexualization occurs through little girls wearing adult women's clothing in diminutive sizes, the use of makeup which often is applied by makeup consultants, spray tanning the body, the dying of hair and the use of hair extensions, and assuming provocative postures more appropriate for adult models".
[8] The child pageant industry involves thousands of contestants and $5 billion a year in revenue,[10] and television networks air in-demand shows like Toddlers & Tiaras and Little Miss Perfect.
[14] Although these children are working long hours throughout the week for the financial gain of their parents,[14] child labor laws in the United States do not apply to them and the practice remains mostly unregulated.
[14] Despite widespread criticism of child beauty pageants, contestants' parents continue to argue for the positive impact that they have on their children's personal development.
A writer for the New York Times criticized child beauty pageants because participants and viewers impose adulthood on children while still expecting them to radiate innocence.
[21] The scandal marked one of the first instances of the public questioning the practices that take place in child beauty pageants, as the discourse around her adult and sexualized image played a key role in her trials.
[22] With popularity of similar child beauty pageant television shows like Toddlers & Tiaras, the public is concerned that young contestants are being displayed as objects of sexual desire to their audience.
[23] Reality shows such as Toddlers & Tiaras reinforce the dominant perception of women's worth being inherently and directly linked to their sexual desirability.
[8] Also, if a child is winning constantly in a competition that is based primarily on their looks, they are more likely to develop psychological issues later on in life, such as depression, low self-esteem, and eating disorders.
"[28] The hyper attention and judgement towards children's physical appearance in child beauty pageants increases their risk of developing various forms of eating disorders.
[3] The psychological problems related to perceptions of the self are long lasting and carry onto adolescence and adulthood due to the hyper fixation on their physical appearance at an early age.
[29] The implications regarding the achievement of "perfection" and the perception of body image that have been taught to these them remain engrained in the way they view themselves long after they retire from pageant competitions and transition into adulthood.