Why Watch Miss America Now?

What do Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Ariel, Aurora, Jasmine and Pocahontas all have in common besides being Disney characters?

Got you there because you thought that was my question didn’t you?  The other thing they have in common is they are all attractive because beauty is something we admire.

However those that run Miss America announced last week that contestants will no longer be judged on their outward appearance while at the same time eliminating the swimsuit and evening gown portions of the competition.

Let me first say I have probably not even glanced at the annual end-of-summer event held in Atlantic City in at least ten years and maybe much longer.  However when I did watch it you can be sure I was more interested in how the contestants looked in swimsuits and evening gowns then how they answered questions about world hunger.  And I bet I was not alone.

In truth I think beauty contests are for the most part pretty lame and don’t even get me started about the ones they show on TV reality shows featuring little children.  Those parents should be arrested for what they do but that’s another topic for another day.

Back to Miss America.  I’m not ashamed to say I like looking at pretty women and whether people want to admit it or not so does society.  Physical beauty is part of our culture and just like with the Disney characters it’s been that way forever.  Show me a pretty face (and body) and that person likely has a leg-up on the competition for not just beauty pageants but success in many other forms.  It’s not really all that different with men by the way but I will admit there is still a bit of a double standard.

I pose this question to women as well as men.  If you were watching Miss America and it was down to the final few contestants would your conversation center around their talent and how they answered questions on whether Russia interfered in the presidential election or simply how they looked?  The answer is obvious.

Look I know all of the contestants are smart, talented, poised and confident young women but there’s nothing wrong about looking great in a bathing suit and evening gown.  For me it’s bye bye Miss America!