Comments:

NATASHA:

Wow! I think you have created such a wonderful blog! The first thing to catch my eye is your use of books for the background, this is such a nice way to touch up a blog as it brings colour and at the same time it relates to your topic.
The topic you have chosen is, in a way, close to my heart as I really enjoy reading the physical copy of a good book! I enjoyed the facts you added in here, such as the idea that printed books will be extinct in such a short time span, 5 years! as Nick said, that is scary to think about!
You have presented this very well, and have added just the right amount of hyper-links to this blog, which I found, as a reader, to be very helpful when wanting to know more about the topic!

The topic you have chosen is one that is, in my opinion, hardly ever discussed and when it is, is not taken very seriously. I'm glad to know that I don't stand alone in the want and need for print to stay! As Alex mentions above, there is just something almost magical when curled up reading a book, and the feeling of your fingers turning the page, instead of 'scrolling' through the pages.

Reading through the rest of your blog, I never found myself bored, I like how you have added quotes, such as the one by Michael Agresta, though I already mentioned it, I just cannot stress enough about how much better the experience of reading a book is when reading a printed book. It really is completely different to when reading off of a screen, and the awesomeness of sharing your books with friends to rave on about them endlessly and the experience of spending hours in a library choosing which books you want to read.
Though while I do prefer a printed copy, I do see how convenient it would be to have an e-book as it is so light and easy to just carry around, instead of lugging around a big book!

Also, your visual language is spot on, especially the picture used in this post of the printed pages and e-books merging to form one book! excellent choices all round!
Thank you so much for the interesting read!

ALEX:

You have chosen a topic that goes unnoticed majority of the time, but once mentioned, creates a spark. I had never really payed much attention to how women are represented in games, but now looking back at all the games I have played and still currently play, I see how much of an issue this topic is. It is sad that I can honestly not think of one game where a woman is not sexualised in some way or generalized in an almost sexist way.

I like your formal writing as this is a topic that can be joked around a bit with, but with your style of writing it helps show how serious this topic actually can be, women are continuously being portrayed as the damsel and hardly ever the hero of their own story, and in this day and age where feminism is such a huge thing, it shocks me to learn how little this topic can be cared about by others.

Though there are few images used (and I'm not saying that is a bad thing!), I found the ones used were effective. 

I like how you mention the effect on health this topic can have, because it can be crippling!

These women are portraying an unatainable beauty for everyone and this doesn't just effect sexual health, but also emotional health.

Your conclusion has made me determined to go out and buy Tomb raider, actually it's just giving me more reason to want to! 

Your blog has most certainly opened my eyes to the gaming world around me and I will try to be more observant of these and even try to avoid some of these games as I do not want to be supporting an industry that sexualizes women in such a way! might have to stick to super mario!

Reading this blog, it is clear to see how much effort and research you have put into this and in result, you have come up with a fantastic blog! I can find nothing to fault :)

PS I also agree with the whole women should be able to dress provocatively without shame, but no way should women be presented as just a character for sexual fantasies!

DAVY:

Thoroughly impressed with your blog.

The pirate puns are so great! it really draws the reader in!

I really enjoyed your blog, because even though I enjoyed reading it, I feel as if I have learnt something valuable!

I thought you did a wonderful job! I thought I had commented earlier? maybe you deleted the post?

But I see you have improved it since last I saw, so well done :)

I think I previously mentioned being a bit informal? but that problem has been solved!

The first thing I notice about your blog is your visual language! your blog is so bright and is just covered in images and videos! (but this is not a bad thing!) You have such a perosnality in your writing, that as I mentioned before, really draws in the reader, you just have such a presence and flair for this sort of writing!

You have referenced wonderfully and used some really valuable sources! you can really see you have put in a super amount of effort and research! and what is wonderful is you haven't added any boring things to make me fall asleep but really made this topic your own!

You have provided wonderful information that really gets the reader thinking!

Your blog has made me embarrassed to admit that I have on the odd occasion illegally downloaded a song! BUT after reading your blog, I feel as if I most certainly will never be doing it again! I alwasy laughed it off and though nothing of it as I though there was no way me downloading a free song could ever harm the music industry, I always especially laughed at that 'you wouldn't steal a car' ad, laughing that of course I wouldn't steal a car, but if I could download one for free then I probably would!

In all honesty, your blog has really made me feel bad! haha, I feel as if I have ripped off S-Club 7 by downloading a song of theirs! 

So thank you so much for picking such a releant topic!

SHELBY:

 I really like your blog topic and your writing style.

You have picked a really interesting topic and you have picked a really good visual to back up your point.

You have stated your view very well and I enjoyed reading this.

No grammar errors or anything to pick up on that is negative.

My favourite part about this blog is the fact that you give alternatives! not only do you say why it is wrong, but you give a way for testing to still be held without harm being caused to animal or human alike!

It is such a smart thing to do as a main argument against your topic is the fact that if not animals then it would have to be humans, so it is more ethical to practice on animals! this way, your blog not only informs people without a view on this topic and people who are already against animal testing, but you also inform people who are all for animal testing! very clever!

Your blog has made me very aware of what is going on with this, as before I read your blog I never gave much thought on this as this topic is a very hush-hush type of topic, but I love the fact that you add a list of products not using animal testing! and seeing Johnson & Johnson on that list was great as they are such a big company and yet they have no problem not using animals for tests! your blog really does address all issues on this topic and makes it hard for anyone to disagree with you!

I know I keep saying 'I love this part where...' but I must continue to do so as I keep reading more and more parts that are so great! I really love how you even add in a link for SAFE shopper! as after reading your blog I feel like I must do something to help and yet I don't know where to start!

Your blog is definitely one of the best ones I have read so far!

There really is no comments I have to make on things to improve!

EDEN:

I am really glad you have inserted a definition on your topic and straight away identified what side you are on in terms of your topic, it was so helpful as I am usually so lost when it comes to figuring out what side a person is on! so spot on with that!

I like how you include a bit of humour in your blog and the visuals you have chosen to assist in getting your point across, are wonderful! they are perfect for this blog! and though some are a bit funny, they also are serious, am I making sense? For example, the picture of the little boy saying: "Don't worry, I am completely desensitized to violence" was, to me, quite funny and yet serious? I don't know, maybe I am crazy! but the fact that it is such a young boy in the picture makes it so worrying.

You have chosen some fantastic resources to use and in turn, they have helped you make an awesome blog!

The information given wasn't boring and still gave a clear, strong message.

I never really thought about the shows I watch, the games I play and the news reports I read and how they may be influencing me in a bad way, I suppose growing up in the age of technology I never really had reason to question what was being played in front of me.

You have picked such a relevant topic that many people wouldn't even notice, but now that I have read your blog I feel like I should be picking the television shows more carefully! except, I must admit, I am a huuuuuuge fan of Jeremy Kyle! I LOVE him! haha.

Your writing style is perfect for this blog as it is informative and yet, for lack of better word, cheeky. Haha, I know lame choice of word, but you know, how you say "the show we all love to watch" it's funny because it's true for most people! though I never really had much interest in them!

Reading your own opinions, I can so relate! my brothers could spend the whole of their lives happily in front of a screen with and X-box or ps3 on hand. We had to restrict them to only playing on Fridays and Saturdays and holidays, but even then, it's just such a constant in their life! it's crazy! I will admit I do enjoy playing X-box or ps3 and can be a freak when it comes to any Lord of the rings games or Call of duty (total nerd, I know!) and hours can go by and it only feels like I have been playing for a few minutes! off topic a bit... haha.

The only thing I can see that might need a little work is a few minor grammar mistakes, missing a few commas for example, in the first few sentences of your own opinions are the only places I seemed to notice, let me know if you need me to point out exactly :)

Over all, wonderful job and good read!

Like mother like daughter.

Some may argue that participating children look happy while performing so leave them be.
For many cases, this is a sad lifestyle that is forced upon the child and what we see isn't always what we get, we sometimes forget that we aren't always shown behind the scenes and it is usually here where most of the problems arise. What you see is adorable little girls wearing cute outfits, but what is hidden from the public eye is the gruelling hours of preparation, the days spent perfecting a performance instead of playing outside with friends. It is this view that is generally lost to most.

Many participating girls appear to be too young to say no, and even when some girls do express their want to not participate, their parents hush them up and force it upon them anyway, an example of this is shown in the video below: (The week staff, 2012).

My own views

I personally believe that child beauty pageants are wrong. I don't see how a person can justify putting a young child through the gruelling process of excessively dressing up and plastering make-up on their face just to strut their bodies in front of older people. I feel as if child beauty pageants are a few steps away from child pornography and can even be considered as abuse in some cases. I know, it seems a bit extreme to compare a child beauty pageant to such an extreme topic like child pornography, but when broken down, what we have in a child beauty pageant is a young, impressionable child being dolled up for the pleasure of an older audience. After thorough research I find that I feel sad for most pageant contestants that are forced, for the pleasure of their parents, to wear elaborate dresses and skimpy bikinis, especially the ones crying, begging for their parents not to spray tan them or bleach their teeth.

Child beauty pageants are, sadly, currently happening in New Zealand, though I have found that the industry isn't terribly huge here.

I hope this gives you a little insight onto my thoughts on the topic and I haven't confused you even more.

Please feel free to read this post by an ex child pageant contestant where Karen Kataline (2012) is quoted saying "As a natural extrovert, I took to "show biz" rather well and received plenty of praise for my performances. But there was a darker side: The old men scratching their crotches while I performed in skimpy costumes. The latent and confusing fear of being looked at sexually, which continued even into adulthood. And the haunting sense that I had no face when it was not made up for the stage."

What are we willing to put children through?

A famously known child beauty pageant is Honey Boo-Boo child.
After watching many documentaries on the lifestyle of an average child beauty pageant, I finally came across a video of 'Honey Boo-Boo child's' 'special go-go juice'
Here is the video:

This video shows us how many competitors are put through different forms of abuse just to give them that extra 'edge'. This mother knowingly puts a mix of energy drink and fizzy drink into her child, for no other purpose than to exploit her in front of millions of viewers, just think of the physical effects this drink is having on this poor young girl!

Martina Cartwright (2011) states that "Many experts agree that participation in activities that focus on physical appearance at an early age can influence teen and/or adult self-esteem, body image and self-worth.  Issues with self-identity after a child "retires" from the pageant scene in her teens are not uncommon.  Struggles with perfection, dieting, eating disorders and body image can take their toll in adulthood."

Though I do acknowledge that not all participants are put through this kind of thing, I think the cons outweigh the pros, this is not only physical abuse, but also emotional abuse. If a child is put through this kind of pressure at such a young age, I can only imagine the effect it will have on them in the future, all the insecurities.

Pictured above is two year old Mia, this young competitor recently competed in a show. The shocking thing about her costume is the fact that this costume was made famous by Madonna in her 'Like a virgin' song when performed on tour. For those who don't know, for her performance, Madonna performed sexually crude acts wearing this gold cone bra. Is this really what we should be having our children dressed up as? This just goes to show how much we are sexualising our kids by putting them through such competition.

One last video for this post:

I don't think much needs to be said on this video. This video is proof that some mothers will ignore their own children's fears just to make sure they are the prettiest. The most shocking part of this video is the mother saying that she would of held down her daughter herself and torn off the wax strips.

Child beauty pageants, whats the deal?

Should we just let our children be children?

 (Before continuing on, please note that I have no personal experience at all with beauty pageants, this blog is simply my own thoughts - and some others)

Child beauty pageants. Are we boosting the confidence of the participating children like some claim or are we just forcing our children to grow up too fast, too soon? Are we teaching participants poise or are we teaching them beauty is everything? (Helene Malmsio, 2013)
Many beauty pageant competitors are started off at a young and vulnerable age, so is it fair to be shoving them into such a world centered around beauty and competition?

So, what is a child beauty pageant? Miranda Barzey (2010) states that: "Essentially a beauty pageant is a contest over physical attractiveness. Some contests have portions of that focus on talent and interview, but a majority of the points come from the beauty and grace of the contestants as well as their outfits. Contestants try to sway the judges by having the brightest smile, cutest clothes, and prettiest hair."

It is debatable that beauty pageants have more pros than cons, (Helene Malmsio, 2013) as child beauty pageants can help a child build on their confidence, they can help them refine some of the skills they possess.
Whose confidence is child beauty pageants helping? surely not the child who came second or third and especially not a child who didn't place at all. What do you tell the runners up? "Sorry you aren't as pretty as that girl." Unlike other competitive sports where are losing team can improve the needed skills, a beauty pageants competitor can only look at their looks as the fault, and in a competition of 20, there is 19 'losers' left to wonder why they weren't beautiful enough to win.

And so far, this is what Elsie knows!

Links/reference list

10 LINKS:

Are child beauty pageants doing more harm than good?

Child beauty pageants: right or wrong?

5 reasons beauty pageants are bad for kids.

Child beauty pageant debates resurface

More harm than good?

Child beauty pageants

Here is a link of part of an episode of Toddlers and Tiaras. Just to show you a little bit of what it's like.

Honey Boo Boo's special 'Go-go juice'

Impact of child beauty pageants on girls.

Pros and cons of child beauty pageants.

What are we teaching our girls?


And one extra link:

This is an article written by a woman who, as a child, used to compete in pageants and her experience and thoughts on it.

REFERENCES:

Barzey, M. (2010). Child beauty pageants: Right or wrong? Retrieved from:
             http://buildingatlantis.wordpress.com/2010/10/13/child-beauty-pageants-right-or-wrong/
Cartwright, M. (2011). Child beauty pageants: What are we teaching our girls? Retrieved from:
             http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/food-thought/201108/child-beauty-pageants-what-
             are-we-teaching-our-girls
Katalin, K. (2012). 'I was in beauty pageants as a child.' Retrieved from:
             http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/beauty/8070376/I-was-in-beauty-pageants-as-a-child
Malmsio, H. (2013). Child beauty pageants pros and cons. Retrieved from:
             http://www.squidoo.com/child-beauty-pageants-pros-and-cons
The week staff. (2012). 5 Reasons child pageants are bad for kids. Retrieved from:
             http://theweek.com/article/index/225572/5-reasons-child-pageants-are-bad-for-kids