Are beauty pageants sexist?

Most of us are guilty of landing on a broadcast of a beauty pageant while channel surfing and sticking around for a while to put in our two cents over the standard of stunning women on display. Too much spray tan. I think she's had hair extensions, or oooh sparkly tiara. But the pleasure often comes with the guilty twinge of knowing we are objectifying women. Are beauty pageants a bit of harmless fun or a set back for women?

Nothing wrong with showing off what you've got

Beautiful women from all over the world, proudly standing together on one stage; what's so wrong about that? Even as a height challenged, heterosexual female, I have no problem saying that pageants such as Miss Universe are worthwhile competitions.

It gives many of these contestants a platform to increase their public profile; opening them up to great career opportunities and more importantly humanitarian work. The winner of the coveted title isn't just awarded with a sparkly tiara, but also a busy schedule of social and charitable events, in particular for HIV/AIDS awareness.

They are not forced into entering or exploited; in fact last year's Miss Columbia can vouch that contestants are encouraged to keep their panties on in front of the camera. And while the swimsuit event may be frowned upon by some, I think it shows us women who are confident. As long as they are healthy, I don't think they should be criticised for looking good in a bikini.

And before we label all beauty pageant contestants bimbos, yes, there have been a few cringe worthy responses during final question rounds, consider this; even the most powerful and educated can have their words fail them under pressure.

Miss Universe has been running since 1952 and currently has contestants from more than 80 countries. It shows us that beauty comes in every colour and hopefully one day it will also include contestants of every healthy size.

- Melissa Leo, Video Journalist

Beauty pageants make a sport of judging women

First, a disclaimer: I have watched beauty pageants.

Actually it's worse than that: I have watched and half-enjoyed beauty pageants, offering catty speculations from the couch about just how much of her measurements Miss Chesty owes to science and whether Miss Bimbo is playing dumb or really is as dim as a tealight candle.

But you know what? I felt dirty afterwards.

Beauty pageants sum up in one spray-tanned, diamante-encrusted, hairspray-soaked mess everything that is wrong about the way society treats its women and a reminder of just how far we have failed to come.

It is no longer 1854 (the year of the first modern western beauty pageant) or 1921 (the year of the first Miss America pageant, which marked the debut of the swimsuit competition). Women - in the western World at least - can work, vote, have children or not have children, marry or not marry, become presidents and prime ministers.

So why exactly are we still shimmying into tacky outfits, rehearsing bland answers to blander questions and having our bikini lines strategically waxed for the sake of a stupid title and a bunch of cash?

There's nothing wrong with wanting to look good for other people. I am not, as I type this, wearing a hessian sack and a wimple.

But beauty pageants take it too far.

Any woman who has ever walked down the street already knows women are too often judged by their looks. Beauty pageants take that ugly truth and make a sport of it, encouraging women to parade themselves for an audience like a herd of dozy-eyed heifers at the Royal Show hoping for a sash and a pat on the head.

- Kate Emery, Reporter

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