According to Erving Goffman, human beings put on a “performance” when it comes to their social interactions with others. A person will put on a role for other individuals, also known as the audience, that he or she is interacting with. Depending on the surroundings and who the person is interacting with, he or she will present himself or herself according to what role he or she should play. For example, a fireman who has to save someone from a burning house will pretend to be under control, even if he is not; otherwise, the audience will worry, or be disappointed in him and judge him. 

 

In Toddlers and Tiaras, many little girls are pushed to go on stage and put on a role in front of an actual audience. They are portrayed as innocent, sweet girls, while going through beauty routines that even 25-year-olds do not have. Later on, the camera shows some of them throwing huge tantrums, completely destroying the cute image they had at the pageant. The fact that all of this is actually broadcasted on television says a lot about American culture. 

 

In one episode, two girls named Eden and Makenzie are introduced as rivals for a big upcoming competition.  Both are very good at pageants, but Eden has a slight edge. She is only five years old and already has a book, her own CD, and sings at shows in her area. When she is at home, she appears to be a rather quiet and normal kid. On stage, however, she turns into a charming and outgoing person. 

 

Makenzie, on the other hand, is clearly performing a role whenever the camera is on her. One second she will talk to the camera in a cute, childish voice like her mother does, then she will make the most exaggerated faces and use dramatic expressions that sound like something a teenager would say. The only time she seems authentic is when she throws temper tantrums, revealing a spoiled and bratty nature. 

 

Honey Boo-Boo is also introduced in another episode. Although she seems a lot more real than many other girls, even she becomes much more ladylike during pageants. When she is on camera, she often has a big attitude and shows off her bad manners. Though Honey Boo-Boo is not as fake as the other little girls, even she knows how to pretend she is well mannered, and she also knows how to put on a less ladylike role offstage, to make the camera crew laugh.  

 

This all makes one wonder why in the world people would want their children to look like Barbie dolls. What is the point of pretending that these girls are always gorgeous and polite, when they are not? The girls in this show appear as though they are objects, robots that are programmed to move and act a certain way, in order to please their mothers, who want to be accepted by society. “Don’t cry baby, you’re on camera,” they say while feeding them highly sugared drinks in order to give them extra “umpf” before the show. Then they talk about the money they hope to win from the pageants, followed by comments about their Christian values. Meanwhile, their girls are skimping around on stage half-naked, covered in make-up and hairspray. It is quite sickening to see the way these children have been molded to fit their mothers’ contradicting expectations. 

 

The judges from Toddlers and Tiaras say they pick the winners based on personality, when in fact they all look and act the exact same way. None of them are showing off their true personality. If one of the girls was to show that she is human and accidentally burp, everyone would wrinkle their noses, and that girl would lose points on her performance. This makes one reflect about women in society and how they are portrayed. Often, whether it is in beauty pageants or commercials, women are expected to look gorgeous and perfect and wear revealing outfits, but are encouraged to preserve an air of virginity and politeness. 

 

Even though women are more respected now than they were before, there are still a lot of gender expectations towards them. This is also the case with men. If a boy farts in high school, others will laugh and he will brush it off. If it is a girl, she is taught that it is something to be embarrassed about, so she will turn bright red. If a boy decides to like the colour pink or cries, he is embarrassed about that and is called gay. According to patriarchal expectations, women need to perform a passive and ladylike role that does not have bodily functions while men need to show that they are aggressive and strong and do not have emotions. 

 

It is sad to see that the media broadcasts shows like Toddlers and Tiaras, which is so degrading and a bad influence on young girls, all because they know it will gain attention and make money. They would rather shock the nation to make money than give a good example to children. What is even sadder is that many people fall for it and watch, because seeing an exaggerated or unusual cultural performance is exciting to many.