Are you the parent of a teenager, specifically a female teen? If you are, has your teen ever mentioned entering into a beauty pageant before? If she recently has, have you given her a decision yet? For many parents, their first thought is “absolutely not,” but you should know that beauty pageants are not all as negative as they may appear.
When it comes to determining whether or not you should allow your teen to enter a beauty pageant or even multiple competitions, you should understand that there are numerous pros and cons to doing so. One of those advantages or positive aspects is the fact that it is something that your teenager genuinely wants to do. If your teenager was the one who brought up participating in a beauty pageant, then there is a good chance that it is something that truly interests her.
Another one of the many advantages or positive aspects to allowing your teen to enter a beauty pageant or even several of them is because of the potential rewards. What is appealing about beauty pageants is that you don’t just receive a trophy or a ribbon, but you also often get a cash prize reward. Instead of cash, some beauty pageants even distribute scholarships for college tuition.
Modern teen beauty pageants like Miss Teen USA, National American Miss Teen, Miss Teen World America, and International Junior Miss now offer substantial scholarship opportunities, with some providing up to $100,000 in educational funding. Organizations like Miss America’s Outstanding Teen focus heavily on academic achievement and community service rather than just physical appearance.
If your child is interested in earning their own money or if they are interested in attending college, a beauty pageant may actually be able to help them achieve their goals. Many winners go on to receive full college scholarships through programs offered by Scholarship America and other educational foundations partnered with pageant organizations.
While there are numerous pros to letting your teen enter into beauty pageants, there are also several cons or downsides to doing so as well. One of those drawbacks is the commitment that goes into attending beauty pageants. Now, if your teen was only interested in competing in a local pageant, this may not be as significant of an issue for you. However, there are beauty pageant families out there who actually spend time traveling across the country participating in competitions.
Platforms like Pageant Planet and Miss America Organization can help you find local and regional competitions to minimize travel costs. While you and your teen can pursue national competitions if you want, it often places considerable stress, both emotional and financial, on all family members.
Another one of the cons or downsides to allowing your teen to participate in a beauty pageant is dealing with competition results. Unfortunately, it seems there is still a stereotype associated with beauty pageants. Many individuals continue to believe that beauty pageants are only for those who are exceptionally beautiful or thin. Perhaps this is due in part to social media influence and traditional judging standards, though many modern pageants have evolved to focus more on talent, intelligence, and community service.
Resources like Common Sense Media and American Psychological Association provide guidance on helping teens develop healthy self-esteem and body image, which is crucial when considering pageant participation. Although your teen can participate in a beauty pageant if she wants to, regardless of her appearance, it is something that you may want to take into consideration. For teenagers, there is nothing worse or more damaging to one’s self-esteem than being told or made to feel as if they aren’t attractive or talented enough.
In keeping with the competition aspect, your teen may find it quite challenging to jump right into beauty pageants. A good number of the teens who participate in beauty pageants have done so since they were toddlers or elementary school-aged children. While not always the case, these participants are often more likely to achieve success than someone who recently decided to enter a beauty pageant.
Professional coaching services like Pageant Coaching Institute, The Pageant Coach, and training programs offered through Broadway Dance Center can help level the playing field for newcomers. Many successful contestants also utilize platforms like TikTok and Instagram to build their personal brand and gain experience in public speaking and performance.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that your teen can’t place highly or even win a beauty pageant, but it does mean that they may have significant hard work ahead of them. Modern teen pageants now emphasize interview skills, talent presentation, and community service involvement, areas where newcomers can excel with proper preparation.
The social media aspect of modern beauty pageants has also changed the landscape significantly. Contestants often build followings on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, which can lead to modeling opportunities, sponsorship deals, and college scholarships. However, parents should be aware of online safety concerns and consider resources from National Center for Missing & Exploited Children for guidance on protecting teens online.
Many modern pageant organizations now partner with anti-bullying campaigns, STEM education initiatives, and social justice causes. Programs like Miss America’s Children’s Miracle Network and United Way collaborations allow contestants to make meaningful community impact while competing.
Financial considerations in 2025 have also evolved. While traditional pageant expenses like gowns from Sherri Hill, Jovani, and Mac Duggal can range from $300-$2000, many families now utilize dress rental services through Rent the Runway and specialized pageant rental companies to reduce costs.
Professional photography for pageants, available through platforms like Thumbtack and Bark, typically ranges from $200-$800 for headshots and portfolio images. Interview coaching and public speaking training through organizations like Toastmasters International can also help teens develop valuable life skills beyond pageant competition.
The pros and cons mentioned above are just a few of the many that exist. If your teen has recently asked you if they could take part in a beauty pageant, it is something that you and the rest of your family may want to seriously consider or at least closely examine. Consider consulting with child development experts, speaking with current pageant families through Facebook pageant groups, and researching both the benefits and potential concerns through reputable sources like Psychology Today and WebMD Parenting to make an informed decision that supports your teen’s overall development and wellbeing.