Throughout history, humanity has promoted excellence through primitive rituals, community events, and collectively instilled ideals. Beauty pageants represent one such effort in their effort to define femininity and grace as well as the ever-changing gender roles in society. While some view beauty pageants as harmless social events that promote educational and national progress, raise awareness of charitable causes, and encourage confidence, others suggest that such pageants confuse societal morals, exploit women and cause insecurity among young girls around the world. Since their conception. , beauty pageants have ventured to improve society and those who reside in it. These competitions helped ensure the educational and national progress of their candidates. The competitions “[support] applicants in the pursuit of higher education” through university scholarships generally available to finalists that promote the intellectual advancement of women (Stoeltje). Contestants also gain "the symbolic power to represent their community or nation" in these pageants, providing them with the opportunity to establish their country's national pride at events such as Miss World (Stoeltje). Their involvement often brings "the dynamic process of creating gender roles... in response to historical and socio-economic circumstances... into the public eye, revealing contradictions, conflicts, and changes as they evolve" (Stoeltje) . Competitions also create awareness of charitable causes amid the publicity of their competitions. They recognize and raise funds for local and national charitable causes as well as churches, schools and businesses in the community. A competition at Indiana University Bloomington emph...... middle of paper ...... the public curbs the natural but depraved tendency to promote self-centeredness at the expense of others. If individuals can conceive of their identity through true self-exploration, free from the stifling demands of modern, superficial culture, harmful societal factors such as beauty pageants will cease to darken the hearts of enthusiasts who strive to discover who they are. Savannah. “Young girls should not participate in beauty pageants.” The Dispatch. November 3, 2011. the web. November 6, 2011. “Plea for the cancellation of the Miss World feminist demonstration in London. » BBC News November 5, 2011. the web. November 6, 2011. Stoeltje, Beverly. “Beauty contest.” Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender: History of Cultural Society 1. (2007): 125-130. Gale of wind. Internet. October 31, 2011. Yesuiah, Samuel. “Beauty contest: the consequences are women in turmoil, not world peace.” New Straits Times November 6, 2011. Web. November 6. 2011.