YOU DECIDE: No More Swimsuit Competition?

Earlier this month, the Miss American Organization announced that it will be ending its controversial swimsuit competition beginning in September. The Miss America pageant began 97 years ago as “The Most Beautiful Bathing Girl” contest in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The goal was to keep tourists coming to Atlantic City after Labor Day.

But since then, the pageant–and particularly the swimsuit competition–have come under fire from women’s groups and others who believe that such an event is no longer appropriate. Others, however, argue that tradition and history should keep the pageant unchanged.

Based on what you’ve heard and seen in the news, and on your own opinions, You Decide: Should the Miss America Organization end its swimsuit competition?

YES

• Focusing on how a contestant looks in a swimsuit sends the message that women are only valuable for their appearance. Miss America trustees insist that the program is a competition, not a pageant: in other words, it should focus on qualities other than physical appearance.
• Other similar competitions have already made this switch: Miss World eliminated its swimsuit competition in 2014, and Miss Teen USA switched from swimsuits to athletic wear in 2016.
• Instead of the swimsuit competition, the contestants will have an opportunity to verbally highlight their strengths and interests in televised interviews with the judges, which is a much more empowering approach.
• The Miss America Organization has always taken steps to evolve. In the 1930s, for example, contestants had to be “of the white race.” It’s appropriate for the competition to become more progressive by eliminating swimsuits as well.

NO

• The swimsuit is an iconic part of the Miss America tradition, which began as a “bathing beauty” competition.
• Preparing for the swimsuit competition requires a lot of hard work and discipline. A winning contestant should exhibit these qualities.
• The swimsuit competition isn’t just about looks. It places an emphasis on being healthy. (In fact, its full name is the Lifestyle & Fitness in Swimsuit Competition.)
• The competition encourages contestants to venture outside of their comfort zones and encourages contestants to have self-love and confidence.