Pageants - the definition of perfect?

Miss/Mr. World 

Miss Universe 

Miss/Mr. Asia 

Miss/Mr. International 

Mister Global 

Miss/Mr. India 

and many more 

Have you heard of these?  

Well, these are the famous titles that people compete for. 

Beauty pageants or bodybuilding pageants are events or competitions that rank or judge contestants on the basis of their physical attributes.  

Over a period of time, these have grown to give significance to the intellectual capacity and personality traits of the participants too. They act as a source for individuals to develop and enhance certain soft skills like interpersonal skills, communication skills, stress management skills. Moreover, these platforms give them a chance to voice out their goals and as a result, inspire others. 

However, the main question that I want to address today is - are these pageants the standard setters for how an individual should look like and should present himself/herself like? 

The question doesn't only stand for all those women out there but also for all those men who go on to participating in these campaigns. 

Physical characteristics are something that makes the most of an individual. They are the tangible elements that a person has and is recognized by. 

I do believe that I am not what I look but it's true that it's my face that people associate me with, often. One can be known for his work too but you cannot deny the fact that face is something which is connected to foremost. 

Let's start with how certain ways of being called the perfect fit is stressed upon in this industry. Campaigns like these idealize the guidelines of what a beautiful body is. All the contestants competing through though unique are supposed to look like and have physical attributes like as mentioned in the event guidelines. 

Don't you feel, rejecting or accepting someone on the basis of set rules of appearance, is wrong or biased?  

Who are we or the panel of judges and the event curators to decide which body type is competent? 

This tremendous pressure of adhering to the body type regulations unknowingly poses a negative impact on men and women. Their minds automatically work towards thinking that they aren't the best at how they look and are required to change themselves into something else.

Grooming is fair enough. You can ask them to groom in a way that they look presentable but changing their natural body type? I don't think so. 

Young adults who aim at entering the modeling world are seen dieting and walking on the steps of all these influencers who have been given the title before. This is because they too have been taught that in this industry this is how one should look like. The extremes that these aspiring adults can go to can sometimes be harmful and unreasonable. 

Did you know there was a beauty pageant called Miss India Curvy? 

There are separate shows for the Plus-size models. Why? Can't they compete with the rest of the lot for the same title?  Why is it that their pageants are called 'Plus-size'? 

We all talk about discrimination but isn't this an example of the same? 

Moreover, ranking someone on the basis of beauty? I always assumed that beauty is a subjective matter and it cannot be quantified? Seems like anything is possible! 

This was just the physical aspect of the topic. Let's move into the emotional and psychological aspects. 

A person's confidence to be positive and motivated, and encouragement for who he/she is, is extremely important. However, rejection can affect the mindset of a person. 

The anxiety and stress in transforming themselves can break them down. A sense of self-doubt may creep in when they are not selected, thoughts like 'Was I not of proper shape' or 'Am I not good enough' can damage their self-esteem. 

Sometimes losing the campaign too aggravates instances of depression. What good does come out of these? Men and women spend a lot of money to prepare dresses and get themselves groomed and then all of a sudden, if not selected, all they get in return is emotional baggage. 

Is all this worth?  

Comparing humans on the basis of body and beauty? 

Instilling a sense of superiority in terms of looks? 

Seeding thoughts like using artificial products is what will make you stand out?

Do you notice another thing about these beauty and body-building pageants? 

The former is often associated with women and the latter with men?  

Aren't there female bodybuilders too and men who endorse beauty products? 

Well, I'll end this on a note where I'll just say, let's broaden the concepts of campaigns and make them less objectified.