Child beauty show blasted for `sexy body' category

http://www.taipeitimes.com ^ | ? | taipei times

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Child beauty show blasted for `sexy body' category

Child rights activists have condemned plans for a children's beauty contest that features a "sexy body" category and a swimsuit parade for competitors as young as 3 years old.

But organizers as well as parents who have entered their kids maintain the pageant -- scheduled for next Sunday -- will be innocent family fun.

Although beauty pageants for all ages are extremely popular in Thailand, critics say this one goes too far and runs against the country's attempts to wipe out its reputation as a popular stop for pedophiles and a significant source, destination and transit place in the international trafficking of children for sexual purposes.

Thailand's Department of Public Welfare estimates there are 12,000-18,000 child prostitutes in this Southeast Asian nation, although private voluntary groups say the number is in the hundreds of thousands.

Activists are not directly linking this contest to child abuse but they do fear that promoting sexual concepts in a children's event will only help legitimize prurient interest in kids.

"The sexualized nature of this contest distinguishes it from simple contests where children participate to demonstrate their artistic or intellectual talents," said Carmen Madrinan of an international nongovernment group, End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes.

"This is an example of how the adult sexual interest in children is legitimized and has gradually been normalized in society," she said.

However, pageant manager Songwut Khumrak denies the contest -- open to boys and girls between 3 and 12 years of age -- has a sexual theme. He says the controversy has not stopped parents entering more than 60 children.

Songwut decided to include the swimsuit category because it fitted well with a summer theme. As to the offending "sexy body" phrase, he said he used it only because "it sounded fun."

"All we want to do is to see which boy or girl looks cute in swimwear. Why can't a kid be sexy in a cute way? It's the same thing," said Songwut, who has managed dozens of pageants in the past, including adult ones.

But critics say describing children as "sexy" is wrong.

"There's no reason why children need to think about sexiness or try to be [sexy]. It's ridiculous. There're many other ways to boost their self-confidence," said Wallop Tungkananurak, a senator in Thailand's Parliament and child's rights activist, said.

[SouthernFreebird]

Looks like Patsy Ramsey was just ahead of her time.

[rickmichaels]

"Why can't a kid be sexy in a cute way?"

It's sickening when perversion tries to justify itself.

[fourdeuce82d]

Kimber Covert.

I know, .45 ACP is considered old hat, but I'm a traditionalist.

And I like the extra weight from the all steel construction.

[RLK]

plans for a children's beauty contest that features a "sexy body" category

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Not only is this not wise, it impresses me as a little warped.

[philetus]

Pedophile programming?

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Pedophile programming?

Sounds like it to me.

[Tamzee]

The pedos discuss Thailand frequently with each other and even give advice about where and how to purchase the services of child prostitutes. They even post pictures of their "vacations" to other pedos...

[Dan from Michigan]

Some things just ain't right.

[ChemistCat]

I was looking at children's clothing, especially swimsuits, here in a local Wal-Mart. Everything looked like it was cut for hookers. Even the boy's clothing! I don't get it and I don't like it one bit. We don't have to have a 19th century look anymore but this is just sad.

[MediaMole]

It sounds like .45 auto is the appropriate caliber for the organizers of this "contest."

[MediaMole]

He says the controversy has not stopped parents entering more than 60 children.

Do the parents of the winner get more money when they sell their daughter to the brothel?

[shiva]

The kids will probably pee in thoes sexy suits.

[First Amendment]

Songwut decided to include the swimsuit category because it fitted well with a summer theme. As to the offending "sexy body" phrase, he said he used it only because "it sounded fun."

This guy is a first class demon. I feel very sorry for the Thai kids who are suffering because of a**h***s like him.

I used to live in Hawaii and my landlord (who always seemed weird) used to go on vacations all the time to the Philippines and Thailand... I know he was a sick dude.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

I agree.

Teenage girls and even younger are now wearing those hip-hugger pants with the cut-off shirts (ala Britney Spears). Basically, the lower back down to almost their butt-cracks and from their stomachs all the way down to the bikini-line are exposed.

I think it's really disgusting. They are dressing worse than hookers do and this is considered normal now.

Some parents don't think there's anything wrong with this and I read somewhere that some of them even complain when their kids are sent home from school because of unacceptable clothing.

This is really sad because these kids are walking around dressed like this and not realizing that they are practically inviting rape to happen to them. I shudder everytime I think about this.

[donmeaker]

I like the .45, but if you don't shoot revolvers, you aren't a paleotraditionalist. I have a nice new .41 Magnum, just the thing for wild boar. I was truly mixed on whether I wanted to get a .45 Colt, but figured I am getting older, and as my years go up, my caliber should go down. Laudible discretion, I hope.

[chiefqc]

Scott, The pervert, Ritter likes the way the show just like it is being handled.

[LuLuLuLu]

It's the clothing on the racks that has forced me to dust off my sewing machine.

I wore hiphugger bellbottoms in the 60s and 70s and I'm of the opinion that if one remembers wearing the clothes the first time around, one is now TOO old to do it again.

Shopping for clothes is a nightmare, particularly since I refuse to pay over $100 for "designer" slacks that aren't bells.

Granted, I'm NOT condoning the way young children dress, but other than the opposite extreme (overly baggy and unkempt) there don't seem to be a lot of choices.

And back on topic, ANYONE who has ANYTHING to do with child beauty pagents is SICK.

[OldEagle]

"And back on topic, ANYONE who has ANYTHING to do with child beauty pagents is SICK"

I have to agree, but the real issue is what type of person can see a child as sexy?

[trebb]

And this in a world where Wal-Mart employees turn in parents when they get film developed and it shows a naked baby on a towle after a bath - sick world when a parent's love is worse than exploiting the young...