Why are pageants seen as contreversial?

While there are probably more reasons that we have not listed here, these are some of the top issues that we believe to have contributed to the speculation of controversy in the pageant industry.

• To some groups of people, pageants are thought to exploit and objectify women by emphasizing physical beauty over educational and intellectual merit.  Essentially that the industry promotes the idea that the more physically attractive you are the further in life you are able to get.

Over the last 30 years, pageants have gone through some major and significant changes, and unfortunately the stigma associated with what it used to represent has never really left the industry.

That being said, pageants -for the most part - are part of the fashion, model and entertainment industries.  People interested in entering this industry must realize that it certainly can be based on outward appearance.  The difference with pageants is that we heavily evaluate all other components that make up individuals, and the winners are required to do a lot more public contact work than just take photos or walk runways.

Quite often the winners are representing countries, cultural communities, and business in which they are expected to demonstrate competence, excellent interpersonal and communications skills, and be able to think clearly on their feet, to be politically savvy and react appropriately to the different scenarios they encounter.

• Pageants are seen to be controversial because we are dealing with feelings, personal image, ego and self-esteem.  These are all ingredients that can define who we are as individuals.

As a result, it can be a highly emotional experience that can be taken as serious personal injury by those who may not be prepared enough, or strong enough to deal with feelings of rejection that are associated with not being selected in areas that they believe should have achieved them higher merit.

• Issues of dethronement and title revocations can create ill feelings between a winner that this has happened too and the organization. It can be a psychologically and emotionally devastating experience for both parties.

For the most part, once the initial issue has passed, these past winners are able to move forward in their careers and lives in a happy and healthy manner using it as a learning experience.  Unfortunately, that may not be the case for everyone, and for the small minority, they may continue to carry feelings of anger and revenge which can spur the controversy surrounding their experiences within an organization.

Sometimes it is hard for the public to acknowledge that their may be two sides to the issue, since most pageant organizations choose to remain silent about dethroning a winner.  The reality is, is that the public is not privy to contractual agreements, or company policies and procedures.  The organization may have stringent guidelines, or deem situations unproductive and unhealthy of company resources and investment.  The most important aspect to look at in a situation such as this, is what is the organizations relationship with past and current winners?

• The entertainment industry is plagued with stories of scam artists who manipulate vulnerable publics.

These feelings serve to create feelings of distrust, and the inability to detect the difference between scams and legitimate organizations.  Because the public is not able to see how funds are channeled within legitimate organizations, it can create doubt.

Here are ES Team™ Productions, we have adopted a transparency policy, which include the publication of annual reports beginning in 2009, media kits that outline statistical research, video and photo galleries that document first hand our commitment to enhanced participant experiences, and the creation of this website to demonstrate our dedication to operating as a socially responsible organization.