[Lobelia]

See #5. But what I did miss, was

9. The girls LOVE doing it. Nobody is forcing them. Heck, there are documented cases of 2 year-olds begging to be in pageants. Why should they be denied something they love doing so much?

eta: about the prize money, they don't really use that in arguing much - they do realize that it leaves them wide open for criticism on how they could potentially profit from whoring their kid out like that. But they will bring it up if it helps in the argument regarding how much money pageantry costs. And buddy, does it cost. They'll spend $300 & up for hair & makeup to be done before a pageant. Dresses are in the thousands. Add fake hair, teeth, shoes, accessories and a wardrobe of slutty little outfits for western wear, swimwear, etc. And don't forget "pro-am" which is basically where the kid puts on some tight midriff-bearing thing & goes out & shakes her ass to techno music, while making weird exaggerated facial expressions as if she were constipated.

And some real money goes into lessons. Hoo boy. Hundreds for each lesson, if it's a "name" instructor.

eta again: cheetopia - I realize that I think you're saying that they argue that pageants will make a kid popular? if so, yep, you're right. They use that. I'll amend the list.