Being brought up in a South Indian family helped me in every way possible, now that I think of it. There was 'adequate' pressure on academics, rules at home always, lack of an ostentatious lifestyle at all levels, a sense of discipline (if I may claim its stricter down South!) - some things I didn't quite appreciate as a young girl - especially the pressure on academics and the rules at home. I didn't care much about the lifestyle or the fact that my mom didn't think I needed my eyebrows done every 15 days until I graduated out of college and got a job!
Of course, things have changed. I see young kids, girls mostly dressing up more than ever before, becoming more and more conscious of how they look, how their parents look even sometimes. All these TV shows have spawned one precocious kid after the other. Kids sing and dance for movie songs. Strangely enough, my family was quite filmi - we were always playing Antakshari and my uncles sang Hindi movie lullabies when we had to be put to sleep or when we cried. But, we never, never danced and shook our hips the way the kids do nowadays. And such a statement, such an observation makes me feel quite old. And I'm not. Trust me ;)
I spend most of my time watching TV nowadays. Such is my lifestyle and I don't quite like it when I see certain shows. Like Toddlers and Tiara. I still haven't mustered the courage to see the show though. I catch the promos amidst my other fave show, 'What not to wear.' Ironic, huh? But then, 'What not to wear' teaches people to dress appropriately for their age and shows and tells women not to be obsessed with their body type but work on clothes to make their body type look most flattering. This is one of the premises of the show apart from the whole makeover thing which I must admit would increase the confidence of quite a few women. Including me, sometimes, I think. Especially in this country, where everyone looks impeccable, stylish, casual and sexy - all at the same time. It didn't help that being sexy is something, I've been socially conditioned, to be disgusted at :P
I'm constantly shocked and surprised and irritated by the amount of interest shown, the amount of importance given to looks/appearances/clothes in this country. I know things are changing in India too. However, here, even common people are involved and that hurts. When I see almost-broke women worrying more about how they are not ready for summer than worrying about healthy food or other important things. Toddlers and Tiaras takes this to a all new different level. Kids participate in beauty pageants. I hate how these kids ( as a person who is not a mom yet, I'm guessing they are around 4 years. Okay, make that 'I hope they are four!') dress up, wear make up ( eww..) and get spray tanned ( I researched on this and couldn't understand a thing!) They strut on pageant ramps apparently every weekend in all their finery. What triggered this post was a promo I saw just now. There is this kid who's tired of her mom asking her to put on make up and look her best all the time. Good, you'd think. But no, this girl is actually spoilt. She screams at her mom, rolls her eyes at her mom who is calling her and walks away. I can't believe this. I did this when I was 16. And it was because my parents thought I should do Science during my Graduation than join the Arts courses. Or was I stupid? Didn't you guys fight for things like this? Or, did you guys too ask for make up when you should've been figuring out how mud tastes?
On this show, I think its more about the parents from what I've read about it. Every parent thinks their kid is cute, every parent wants their child to win the pageant. I remember my mom always siding some other kid and teaching me a lesson to be tolerant and showing her impartial self. I wonder what happened to all that. Really. On this show, the mothers get 'bitchy' about the other kids. Yes, 'bitchy.' You read it right. They are 4 year olds, for God's sake! So what next? Do we want breast implants even before their breasts start developing? What about their teeth? Do they fall at all, like regular kids' does, or, do they have some sorta surgery to stop that?
I'd really love to know what becomes of these kids? Do they get back to 'normal' life after they win or lose a pageant? What happens to them when they lose? Do they feel as bad as I did when I flunked Math? Or, maybe it is worse. Imagine your whole life hinging on how you look, and what you wear. What happens if they can't earn in the future to keep up with their looks/appearances? Then, will they succumb to the all American pastime of eating fries and burgers and shakes to ward off depression after losing all the glamour?
To all the mothers, especially those who chronicle every step of their kids, what do you do when you kid evinces interest in something so superficial as good looks? Grooming oneself, and looking good to remain confident is one thing. And being obsessed with make up is another. It is a thin line in this case.
