Beauty Queens, Princesses and Barbie Dolls

I grew up in a Barbie world where little girls received the empty-headed plastic doll as a gift. What exactly did Barbie bestow on our impressionable daughters anyway? Surely she did little to help our children find a healthy self image or celebrate diversity and education. I think Barbie can keep her fake tan, blonde locks, fancy car and anatomically incorrect boyfriend. May her plastic boobs burn in hell for all eternity.

Why do we sit our children in front of the television and let them watch beauty pageants? Miss America is not a good role model for beauty. Sit them at the feet of their wise grandmother and let them witness true greatness. Wouldn't it be great to sit down with your child and look at the distorted images of beauty found on the cover of magazines to teach them to see beyond its outward allure. Help them to learn how to fully accept themselves--cellulite and all. Teach them that a person who places value on outward things will never really find their inner purpose.

Why do we read fairy tales to our children, which teach them unrealistic views of life? Life is not pursuing a happy ending but enjoying every moment of the journey. The unrealistic expectations we are taught in fairy tales leave us unhappy and unfulfilled. Prince Charming will not ride in on a white horse to acknowledge your value, only you can do that.

I am encouraged that society is beginning to celebrate the gifts of women who are not the typical beauty queens. Susan Boyle from Britains Got Talent is a step in the right direction but we still have a long way to go. Our media promotes unrealistic ideals and we continue to buy what they are selling. A hit song should not be one that is sung from the head of a beauty queen but from the heart of a real woman.

Why not put less emphasis on outward beauty with our children and more emphasis on good health, individuality and inward essence. Your girls do not need Hannah Montanah as a role model, they need you. Expensive clothes, shoes and hairstyles are fine but they are not going to add one cent of value to who you are on the inside. We have a world full of outwardly beautiful girls who are empty shells. Its time to help your child express their unique life in ways other than an outward facade of beauty.