Beauty and dance competitions for young girls

[once_upon]

This topic may just die after a couple of posts, but I have to let off some steam

I have 3 friends whose daughters have been in competition dance since they were 4. (They are now 5, 9, 12)

The make-up is so provocative, so much like a 20 -25 woman. And the Duck Lips.

One allows her daughter to wear full make-up to school (in 3rd grade). The dance costumes are so...provocative. a couple of the kids have their own social media accounts (I know, i.get.friend suggestions for them).

They and the dance studio puts them on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok. You know where predators lurk.

 

[once_upon]

All three girls watch Dance Moms and get ideas for makeup and attitudes.

 

[PRlady]

All three girls watch Dance Moms and get ideas for makeup and attitudes.

To me this is shocking, as someone who raised three girls and now has small granddaughters. I realize there are cultural differences but sexualizing small girls is both dangerous and disturbing.

 

[annie720]

My daughter did competitive Irish dance for 8 years, staring at age 10. This was a world I knew nothing about other than the finished product I saw in Riverdance. Girls as young as 5 were wearing makeup and wigs at the lower level competitions. Many of the local comps were held in school gyms where blankets were spread out on the floors and families “camped” there, with dancers getting dressed and undressed throughout the day, often running around in bloomers barely covering their underwear. And pictures of these very young dancers would appear online, often by people who had no connection to the families.

There was an effort to set an age limit for wearing makeup and wigs, no one under 10 for makeup, I think, but it is not enforced. And the spray tan! OMG, why???? I curled my daughter’s hair until her last two years when we gave in and got a wig. I reluctantly had to admit, it made my life so much easier than dealing with 80+ curlers. And she started to win more comps once she had the wig.

 

[made_in_canada]

The dance world isn’t as extreme here, but it’s one of the reasons that I wasn’t eager to put baby mic into dance, or if she had really wanted to pursue it, I would have been extremely picky about what studio she went to. There’s an underlying focus on marketing yourself that I really struggle with for kids.

 

[Cachoo]

I often wonder if the daughters are being forced to participate in some unfulfilled desires for their mothers. I was in dance from age 4 to 13. The mothers weren’t allowed in and my mom had no interest anyway as she needed an outlet for me to burn energy. And we didn’t go for heavy makeup and provocative costumes. Hopefully there are plenty of groups that still operate this way.

 

[annie720]

I often wonder if the daughters are being forced to participate in some unfulfilled desires for their mothers. I was in dance from age 4 to 13. The mothers weren’t allowed in and my mom had no interest anyway as she needed an outlet for me to burn energy. And we didn’t go for heavy makeup and provocative costumes. Hopefully there are plenty of groups that still operate this way.

Perhaps a straight ballet school. I started ballet late, did it for 20 years, and loved it. That's what I was hoping my daughter would love when she started a fun ballet class as a kindergartner. But the following year they put her in a more serious first-grade class and she hated it. Too too serious for someone her age. That's how she ended up doing Irish when a studio opened nearby.

 

[her grace]

It definitely depends on the studio. Plenty of studios use age-appropriate music and costumes for younger kids. There’s more of an expectation that teens will be sultry/sexy, which unfortunately mirrors our toxic culture which equates feminine maturity with sex appeal.

OTOH, I don’t really see the problem with kids wearing makeup. It’s a performance and morally neutral IMO.

 

[once_upon]

My granddaughter wanted and is I'm dance, but thank goodness her mom refused to do competition dance.

The make-up on the competition dance teams here is way more than theatrical makeup. And allowing the 6th grade and under to wear it everyday wear is not theatrical.

 

[kwanfan1818]

For ballet, at least, in North America, the farther you get away from competition schools and the closer you get to company feeder studios and company-affiliated schools the more regimented and the plainer the day-to-day uniform and the costumes for public-facing performances in the kids ranks especially. Make-up is either prohibited at the lower levels or closely monitored when deemed age-appropriate. Those programs tend to be stricter and not for all kids, who want to move, socialize, and enjoy what they're doing.
Even for studios that prepare kids for YAGP, the costumes and make-up are generally in line with professional standards, since the judges are looking for people who will fit into their pre-professional school ranks or trainee programs.

Competitive dancing is such a money pit, just like skating and owning a boat.

 

[MacMadame]

Competitive dancing is such a money pit, just like skating and owning a boat.

Boats can't be molested, starved, or otherwise abused though.

 

[Aceon6]

My niece competed from age 8 through high school, mostly in Dance Masters competitions. At the time (80s) dancers could and did get deductions for excessive makeup as well as for exposing more flesh than a typical sleeveless leotard would.

I blame Dance Moms for getting parents to think that adult packaging is normal. I also blame college dance teams. The tweens and teens absolutely idolize some teams and want to look just like them.

 

[MacMadame]

I blame Dance Moms for getting parents to think that adult packaging is normal. I also blame college dance teams. The tweens and teens absolutely idolize some teams and want to look just like them.

The heavy makeup and skimpy costumes were considered normal way before Dance Moms. I have a picture of my 3-year-old with heavy makeup and a costume that bared her midriff and that was at least 10 years before Dance Moms. (She quit dance school soon after so I never had to deal with deciding what to do about this norm.)

 

[Judy]

I’m not into beauty contests .. probably ok with dancing etc but without all the makeup etc .. however dance classes I think more of the little kids learning to dance not competitively but just as little kids - which is pretty cute/fun … ok it’s pretty funny and very cute.

 

[Judy]

Although …. https://allcanadianpageants.com/

What do I know? I will say that I personally know of no parents doing this lol.

 

[Cachoo]

I often wonder if the daughters are being forced to participate in some unfulfilled desires for their mothers. I was in dance from age 4 to 13. The mothers weren’t allowed in and my mom had no interest anyway as she needed an outlet for me to burn energy. And we didn’t go for heavy makeup and provocative costumes. Hopefully there are plenty of groups that still operate this way.

My niece competed from age 8 through high school, mostly in Dance Masters competitions. At the time (80s) dancers could and did get deductions for excessive makeup as well as for exposing more flesh than a typical sleeveless leotard would.

I blame Dance Moms for getting parents to think that adult packaging is normal. I also blame college dance teams. The tweens and teens absolutely idolize some teams and want to look just like them.

I think the College Dance Teams have become more creative and like to project strength and creativity. University of Minnesota always delivers. No one except pedos want modern day Betty Boops anymore (at least I hope):

University of Minnesota Dance Team 2024 - JAZZ FINALS - UDA College Nationals

youtu.be

 

[my little pony]

im elderly and I went on stage for recitals at Miss Mary's school of dance and fire baton or whatever in a full beat way way back in olden times. and my mother did not blend.

 

[Habs]

Baby Habs is in competitive dance. Her costumes are cute and age appropriate, and so is their choreography. She does have to wear quite a bit of makeup to perform, but that's because theatre lighting is so harsh that without it, it totally wipes out their features. We don't let her wear that makeup to school - she is 8 - and honestly, she doesn't want to. The hassle of putting it all on and taking it off is just too much for her We also signed a waiver at the beginning of the year to allow the studio to use photography for promotional purposes, and that includes social media. They wear plain navy bodysuits for class and no makeup or jewelry is allowed (stud earrings only).
I suppose makeup/costume/photography policies vary from studio to studio, but I have no issues with the one we're with. It is very expensive, but she loves it.

Mini Habs is 11 and is in cheerleading, which is also a sport of excess, but it's kind of the same thing as our dance experience. The uniforms are short and tight, but not at all revealing otherwise (high necks, long sleeves, shorts under the skirts, etc.). Makeup is the same - theatrical for competition, but no makeup or jewelry allowed during practices. We allow Mini Habs to wear a little bit of makeup to school but it's very light and tasteful. If I can see the makeup before her face in the morning, she has to go wash it off. This has happened only once. I notice the same thing with her cheer friends and I think it's two parts - they can't wear it when they practice (and they practice A LOT), so it's not worth the effort. And they all get so tired of the lashes and lips during competition that they can't be bothered day to day.

Again, that's just our experiences but we have had zero issues or instances that make me regret allowing them to do dance or cheer.

 

[Habs]

The make-up on the competition dance teams here is way more than theatrical makeup. And allowing the 6th grade and under to wear it everyday wear is not theatrical.

Sure, but that's a parent issue, not a dance studio or dance culture issue.

 

[once_upon]

Sure, but that's a parent issue, not a dance studio or dance culture issue.

No - my niece was in dance, and the dance studio had mandated hair styles and make up for each number. My sister pulled her out of that studio.

Competition Cheer teams are the same.

Show choirs are generally Jr high start, so I don't object so much there. But the require certain hair styles and makeup colors.

 

[Habs]

No - my niece was in dance, and the dance studio had mandated hair styles and make up for each number. My sister pulled her out of that studio.

Competition Cheer teams are the same.

Show choirs are generally Jr high start, so I don't object so much there. But the require certain hair styles and makeup colors.

Right, I understand that - all studios mandate hair and makeup for each number. But you said above: "allowing the 6th grade and under to wear it everyday wear is not theatrical."
I guess I misunderstood - it seemed like you said they're wearing that kind of makeup every day, not just for dance.

 

[once_upon]

Right, I understand that - all studios mandate hair and makeup for each number. But you said above: "allowing the 6th grade and under to wear it everyday wear is not theatrical."
I guess I misunderstood - it seemed like you said they're wearing that kind of makeup every day, not just for dance.

Oh I misunderstood you. Yes, parents who allow it not dance related.

Other places they seem to think their daughter look "good" and it is somehow appropriate. In fact one said- I don't care what people think, I will let her (3rd grade) wear make up. It looks good

 

[flyingsit]

In my area a lot of kids have switched from gymnastics to competitive cheer, and it's the same -- red lipstick, enormous amounts of blush, tight crop tops... and hair bows as big as their heads.

 

[Habs]

In my area a lot of kids have switched from gymnastics to competitive cheer, and it's the same -- red lipstick, enormous amounts of blush, tight crop tops... and hair bows as big as their heads.

The red lipstick and blush that Mini Habs wears is for competition only and again, it has to do with theatrical lighting and how far away the stage can be from the crowd. I don't hate the competition/performance makeup because there's a good reason for it. It's when that creeps into day to day that I think it's a problem, but that's a parent issue, not a sport issue.
The cheer bows are another story - they're ridiculous. But Mini loves hers.

 

[made_in_canada]

The red lipstick and blush that Mini Habs wears is for competition only and again, it has to do with theatrical lighting and how far away the stage can be from the crowd. I don't hate the competition/performance makeup because there's a good reason for it. It's when that creeps into day to day that I think it's a problem, but that's a parent issue, not a sport issue.
The cheer bows are another story - they're ridiculous. But Mini loves hers.

I don't have a problem with stage makeup either. Figure skating does the same thing. As a really pasty blond kid, I really did need makeup or I'd virtually disappear on the ice.

 

[DE93]

I work with a lot of dance studios and have worked with cheer gyms in the past and I do see the tides turning towards keeping kids in age appropriate dance styles and costumes compared to where the mentality was at even 5 years ago. There will always be hyper competitive studios that dress kids up in a way that makes me uncomfortable (and I personally choose not to work with those studios), but I have found that even speaking to Judges and competition owners, that the industry seems to be starting to reward age appropriate choreography and costumes more often (at least in my area). I also have more studios putting their entire comp teams in tights than I ever have in the past as well, which seems like a small thing but after years and years of bare legs is very refreshing.

It's been a while since I've worked in cheer but if my memory serves me correctly, several years ago the body in charge of Cheerleading in Canada also go rid of 2 piece uniforms on athletes under a certain age/level and requires younger athletes to have their stomachs and arms covered.

Stage makeup is part of performing at all levels, so I don't find anything wrong with it.

 

[Habs]

It's been a while since I've worked in cheer but if my memory serves me correctly, several years ago the body in charge of Cheerleading in Canada also go rid of 2 piece uniforms on athletes under a certain age/level and requires younger athletes to have their stomachs and arms covered.

This is correct - only collegiate level teams in Canada could have uniforms with exposed midriffs, and even that rule changed last year. They can have two-piece uniforms (Mini's is two-piece) but the tops have to be long and the skorts are usually high waisted. The shorts underneath the skirts have to be a certain length. There are even rules about nails and excessive makeup!

 

[Winnipeg]

Skaters also wear make up in competitions. I don't see the difference between skaters and dancers re make up.

 

[once_upon]

Maybe none, but I don't live in any area that I see intermediate or juvenile skater competitions. I do live in an area where competitive dance and cheer start at age 3

 

[PRlady]

Makeup is fun. I will let my granddaughters play with my eyeshadows, which I rarely wear anymore, when they’re old enough.

Sexy costumes for little girls send the wrong message and I’m glad they’re phasing out. Also, with all the available music from appropriate stories like Disney musicals and films, there’s no reason they have to perform to sexualized music. I’m still at some of the selections for Junior skaters.