OMG! I saw the same show this week too and was completely stunned. As a mother of a 2 year old, I was appalled that a parent could parade their child around like that without embarrassment. I think it absolutely does more harm than good. And it does happen in Canada!
http://www.allcanadianpageants.com/

As a mom who had her kid in the above mentioned 'pageant' its a huge waste of money, a joke really, the winners are pre-selected, they break thier own rules to let ppl enter...and no I'm not a bitter loser, my kid won everything lol
We did it one year, for fun and realized what a farce it was so didnt do it again, but the kid does have incredible poise. I don't know if its because of the experience on stage in front of a crowd etc. but now in college for theatre arts so....who knows.
There are legit pageants around, but dont start them until teens for god sakes let kids be kids.
I used to think kiddie pageants were no different than dance competitions, gymnastics, figure skating, a sport that u dress up for, make up etc. but omg fake teeth, fake tan, fake hair, dresses worth more than some ppls cars, really???????? What message is that giving to little girls? That to be accepted you have to be 'perfect' and to be 'perfect' you have to be fake? Way to let your kid know you dont think she is good enuf the way she is.
Kiddie pageant moms=fail

I definitely think they do more harm than good. I saw one kid's pageant show on tv and they had an interview with a little girl no older than 4 who was in pageants and she said "I just want to be pretty enough for Mommy." Toddlers growing up with that sort of mindset is not a confidence booster. If anything, the emphasis on looks and perfection will make these kids less confident and more insecure.

Funny enough, after posting this, my three kids and happened across the show that airs on an American network and they were riveted to the television. What appalled them wasn't the glitz and rigid schedules these little kids had to endure it was some of the comments the parents made about their kids. Even my seven year old boy thought the parents were odd.

I totally agree that these pageants are harmful. It is precisely the role of a parent to put his/her foot down against dressing children like miniature mature women. When children are abducted I think these images of little girls in make-up and bare midriffs feed the sicko imagination, and put other innocent children at risk as well.

Apparently it’s acceptable in the United States to dress toddlers up like full grown women and parade them on a stage in their swimsuits so they can be rated on their body, face and outfit by a panel of judges. This is not only a waste of time but it’s totally twisted. I sure these pageants are swarming with dirty old men too.
http://doodiepants.com/2009/08/19/pedophiles-won
derland-the-world-of-kiddie-pageants/

yes and no

it depends if your doing a glitz pageant or not. if your doing a normal one you don't have to use any fake stuff like glitz pageant does. so if your doing a normal one its a nice way to spend time with your child and making a bond and making her cofedent in front of people and won't make your child a spiold brat!

as the lday referred that IT DOES HAPPEN IN CANADA - you better get your facts straight because the one in Canada is nothing likeyou see on t.v. so perhaps attend a pageant before you think you know what it isa ll about- All Canadian pageants is not a glitz pageant they do not believe in makeup but rather your personality and they build self esteem and build confidence in young children and are always doing charity work and helping those in need- these pageants are not harmful for children - it is all about how the parent binds with the child and teaches them to have fun and meet new friends and become a better person- atttend a Miss All Canadian pageant and see the fun the children have

you people are just haters you know most parents put there child in pageant either because the kid asks them to or because they want there child to be a girly girl. and yes i agree with some stuff you say but for all the other stuff you should 1.go to a pageant 2.ask the child if they like it and 3.don't judge a book by its cover. come on your adults for goodness sake you shouldn't have an eleven year old explain that to you. that's all i have to say