Posh Pageantry or Mere Fairytale?: An Ethnographic Study of Pageantry in the Modern United States

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dc.contributor.advisorOffit, Thomas
dc.contributor.authorBergfield, Ashley
dc.contributor.departmentInternational Studies.en_US
dc.contributor.schoolsHonors College.en_US
dc.date.accessioned2014-04-28T16:23:15Z
dc.date.available2014-04-28T16:23:15Z
dc.date.copyright2014
dc.date.issued2014-04-28
dc.description.abstractPageantry has been belittled as an “archaic” and “passé” amusement, yet over time society has remained charmed with its search for a modern-day Cinderella. Today, the industry has burgeoned into a multi-billion dollar affair hosting a variety of pageants ranging from Miss America and Miss Rodeo America to television reality shows such as “Honey Boo Boo” or “Toddlers and Tiaras.” However, despite this rise in popularity, criticisms have failed to subside. This work will approach the arguments of critics by assessing pageants’ promotion of a “certain class of girl” through incorporation of past and present titleholder experiences as well as an ethnographic study of the various Miss Rodeo competitions. Moreover, by defining “contradicting identities,” this thesis will consider the struggle between a titleholder’s personal identity with that of an organizational or national ideal. This work will conclude by suggesting pageantry’s future implications as it relates to younger generations and changing demographics within American society.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2104/8939
dc.language.isoen_USen_US
dc.rightsBaylor University projects are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.en_US
dc.rights.accessrightsWorldwide access.en_US
dc.rights.accessrightsAccess changed 8/20/19.
dc.subjectPageantry.en_US
dc.subjectIdentities.en_US
dc.subjectMiss America.en_US
dc.subjectMiss Rodeo System.en_US
dc.subjectChild Pageants.en_US
dc.subjectDemographics.en_US
dc.subjectFairytales.en_US
dc.titlePosh Pageantry or Mere Fairytale?: An Ethnographic Study of Pageantry in the Modern United Statesen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US

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