France Votes To Ban 'Hyper-Sexualisation' Of Minors In Child Beauty Pageants

[Penny Lane 8,159]

French politicians have moved towards outlawing child beauty pageants in order to prevent the “hyper-sexualisation” of little girls.

The Senate adopted the bill by 196 votes to 146 on Tuesday evening.

It must now be passed by the National Assembly in the coming weeks before becoming law, the BBC reveals.

If it is passed, judging children under the age of 16 on their physical appearance will be a criminal offence punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to €30,000, The Local said.

A report entitled Against Hyper-Sexualisation: A New Fight For Equality was heard in during the session.

It also recommended other measures – not included in the bill – such as a ban on child size adult clothing like padded bras and high heels.

“Let us not make our girls believe from a very young age that their worth is only judged by their appearance,” said the report author, former Sports Minister Chantal Jouanno.

Jouanno’s report dates back to March last year and was commissioned in the wake of a worldwide controversy over a Vogue magazine cover, which featured a provocative image of a 10-year-old girl.

Speaking to French daily Le Figaro in 2012, Jouanno explained: “Today children are forming their identities in a context of declining gender equality and growing stereotypes featured in music videos, toys and reality TV.”

Michel Le Parmentier, an organiser of ‘mini-Miss’ pageants in France since 1989 lamented the draft law.

He claims to have been in discussions with legislators about the regulation of such pageants but was not expecting such sweeping language, the Associated Press reports.

There is no legislation in Britain concerning child beauty pageants. In March this year, one mother entered her unborn daughter into a “bonniest baby” pageant.

"They learn how to hold themselves and be poised, be confident and get to do charity work and wear gorgeous clothes," Jenny Oliver told The Sun.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/09/18/france-votes-to-ban-child-beauty-pageants-_n_3947143.html?utm_hp_ref=uk

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Woo! Go France!

[mota bhai 2,675]

Cool. France has been making a lot of sense lately.

[RGinWA 816]

I'd never put my daughter in a beauty pageant.

It sends the message that how you look is really all that's important.

When the fact is it's more important how many firearms that little rascal can shoot at one time!

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

I think a girl's value is dependent on whether or not she is waiting to marry a fat old bald man. If yes, then she is good.

[GandD 5,966]

Cool. France has been making a lot of sense lately.

Yeah well, Teddy and I are supposed to be French. So, listen to us from now on.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Darn

The Brie eaters finally did something smart

[RGinWA 816]

Darn

The Brie eaters finally did something smart

Our child exploitation shows are now forever named "Freedom Pageants".

[Darnell 8,479]

Woo! Go France!

I concur !

I hope something crosses the pond , some nice legislation in the YooEssAigh !

[Danno 1,228]

I find it a huge leap to consider any child pageant to be guilty of "hyper sexualizing"...... if anything they should pass a law banning the "hyper naming" of legislation.

Even though I have seen child pageants that were too adult like I still would rather trust the parents ...

and the effects of public shaming rather than some outright ban.

One could make the case against Children's sports, I have seen way too many kids grow up placing all their self worth in their on-field talent. Whats the difference between a pitching arm or a slim figure?

This is another example of big Gov't central Gov't managing everyday affairs. The founders were brilliant to understand this.

Government which governs closest, governs best.

[Bugs 455]

Barbie dolls should be next...

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Big surprise! The guy from the south defends kiddie pageants!

Barbie dolls should be next...

Nah, Barbies are fine. I played with Barbies a lot and I didn't think I should or would ever look like them.

[Danno 1,228]

Big surprise! The guy from the south defends kiddie pageants!

I have seen a number of local pageants that I would have no problem allowing a daughter to be in.

Like anything they can be absurd as we have seen on TV but it makes me even more convinced that Feminism has made women weaker, not stronger.

Mothers seem to be weaker pimping their daughters out and the feminized daughters grow up with eating disorders.

It's rather sad really.

[Darnell 8,479]

Danno - I absolutely despise female child beauty pageants. A parent might start off, all innocent, but it's just too much, down the road - too much psychological damage on the child.

[Danno 1,228]

Danno - I absolutely despise female child beauty pageants. A parent might start off, all innocent, but it's just too much, down the road - too much psychological damage on the child.

You are kidding me right?

Maybe we are thinking of different things here.

I am thinking about the annual spring parade that goes through town, not going "on tour as a full time event.

One of the fundamental lessons parents must teach kids is how to handle failure and success. Winning builds confidence, loosing instills a sense of empathy towards others later on.