Beauty contests

Press, 10 March 1987, Page 12

Beauty contests

Sir,—Why are 75 per cent of Western women unhappy with their body shape (compared with 28 per cent of men) and why are 98 per cent of anorexia victims women? Naturally, Rosaleen McCarroll’s 13-year-old daughter (March 7) watches beauty contests. She is learning the social mores of her society, as all young people everywhere must do. Through identification and selective perception, thousands of young girls absorb the preposterous myth that it is acceptable to judge women according to their appearance. Those who reject this demeaning value system will be labelled unfeminine or jealous. If women were respected and valued for their full human potential (not just their physical ability to charm), it is certain the aforementioned statistics would register a happier, healthier world.—Yours, etc.,

P. McLEAN. March 9, 1987.

Sir,—Let us hear it for a new vision. A recent news clip announced: “Santa Monica has taken the beauty out of its

annual beauty pageant. Organisers said entrants would not parade in swimsuits this year, men as well as women would take part, and the word beauty has been banned.” Instead, entrants to the newly named “Ms Santa Monica Pageant” will be judged on such accomplishments as community service and leadership, and their goals and ambitions. Definitely a more balanced and healthy approach, and one with which Rosaleen McCarroll (March 7) could not disagree. — Yours, etc., AMY ALPERS. March 8, 1987.