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I am an average older woman who wished all her life to be heard, as well as seen. To be understood and not judged by attractiveness. To have men look into my eyes (and soul) and not stare at my cleavage.
It made me smile when I read that the organizers of the Miss Netherlands Universe no longer consider the beauty ideals of their contest to be up-to-date. That is why the beauty competition has been canceled, but there is a new project – with good news and as you all know, I love good news.
The Miss Pageants in the Netherlands are now considered a relic of the past. “After years of history full of glamour, talent, and inspiration, Miss Netherlands says goodbye to the title. The world is changing, and we are changing with it.”
Instead of the competition, there is now the online platform Niet Meer Van Deze Tijd (No longer of this time ) around mental health, social media, diversity, and self-expression. Instead of crowns, there should be stories on the platform that touch the heart (and soul, and instead of clothes, now dreams come to life.
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“Let’s inspire young people to be themselves in a changing world.”
I love it so much. I never understood the beauty pageants and found especially the ones with little girls (and boys) downright disgusting. What sick mind came up with the idea to dress up young girls and even toddlers like pin-up girls and parade them on stage in front of an adult audience. I don’t want to sound too harsh, but a competition like this must be a pedophile’s dream.
No more beauty pageants! Oh, how I wish the world would follow. Why do we still judge people by looks? Why do women parade in bathing suits and evening gowns up and down a runway? It’s a form of prostitution that I will never understand.
We -most women- have fought all our lives not to be seen (and treated) as sex objects, we have marched and protested for equal rights and equal privileges. We have given men the middle-finger solute after a wolf whistle (or was it just me?) and we have snipped our fingers in front of our eyes to have men refocus on us -and not our bust.
We try to teach young girls to love themselves and their bodies unconditionally, so why do we still have these silly contests?
In the Netherlands, the idea of saying goodbye to the Miss Pageants came up during a discussion on why some ideas – such as clinging to certain ideals of beauty and social expectations – are still so widespread, the organizers explained. It has been found that although more and more young people are rebelling against these norms (and older women like me), there are only a few platforms that really inspire them to think ahead and find their own way.
Amber Rustenberg, who was crowned in June 2024, is, therefore, the last “Miss Nederland”.
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No more Beauty Queens in the Netherlands
It makes me happy. Is it just me?
I love it! I dunno but I share your sentiments. Bathing suits. Can’t women be inspire in their success stories rather than bikinis?
A good beginning. Here’s to more common sense making it into the collective consciousness.
I thought so too. I like the trend.
There were two parts of the pageants that I would watch years ago – the talent competition and the interview portion, because they focused on something other than beauty. The older I got the more I stayed away. I never knew of the child pageants that much until the tragic Jon Benet Ramsey death. They are disgusting! Many of these kids have no childhood, only endless shows and preparations. They should be the first to go.
I watched them as a kid, but then when I ‘developed’ and could feel the looks on me, or parts of my body, I changed the way I looked at it.
Agreed – although I do like looking at beauty – just not paraded like this
I love beauty as much as the next one but beauty is in the eyes of the beholder or so.
Well, may I sound a wee bit different, probably because of my ‘age’ 🙂 ! Beauty pageants have never ever ‘bothered’ me – I agree with you about those involving children! And years back I believe I was considered to be a ;looker’ and oft did modelling in charity fashion shows. It’s just another ‘thing’ to do and look at if one is interested. One does not have to enter, one does not have to look – there are many things in life to which I pay little interest. Methinks all these ‘women’s movements’ have stolen SO much fun and lightness out of male-female relationships and , these days, i feel quite sorry for the guys who no longer dare to charm or flirt – the latter surely being one if the greatest joys in life 🙂 ! If I find the time I don’t mind looking at the better shows at all . . . lovely to see young women with something in common have fun . . .
You still are beautiful. As for having a different opinion? There is nothing wrong with it.
I remember watching the beauty pageants in the 60s with my mother. We bought right into the game so easily – like it was perfectly normal to wear high heels with a swimsuit and smile all the time. It’s good that things are starting to change. Way to go, Netherlands!
We watched them in Austria as well, especially after Petra Schürmann (Germany/Bavaria) became Miss Universe. I quickly changed my outlook and didn’t continue watching any forms of beauty competition anymore.
The way the US is going it will be decades if not centuries before we follow you.
Sadly, you are right.
No, it’s not just you Bridget, it is millions around the world, men, as well as women. We seem to have got more extreme over time with “sexiness” in both men and women taking priority over all other, far more important, aspects of an individual’s being.
Sexism goes both ways. I like that the youth doesn’t care about any of it anymore. It’s about time.
Oh my goodness, Bridget! Thank you for sharing. Good news…overdue but I’m grateful! 🥰
If we can only let this concept trickle down to the youngest of the young. Worthwhile values need to be changed. Congratulations, Netherlands. But be careful what you toss out.
First of all, thank you for reading. I am not sure if I understand your last sentence correctly. “Be careful what you toss out.” While it makes a lot of sense, because we tend to be too extreme in each direction, I find the cancellation of the beauty contests were long overdue.
Yes, reform must be thoughtful and retain the good parts. At least the door is open.
Excellent idea!
I agree.
That’s a step in the right direction.
I think it wonderful to not judge women by beauty. I hope it will make teenage girls and young women more confident.