Miss USA’s character – or lack thereof – made news this week. Trampling underfoot the contract she signed when she accepted the crown, Miss Kentucky showed her lack of respect for those who enthroned her, as well as her lack of self-control.
Miss USA’s character should be an example for other young people. The young women who make it through lower pageants, and are accepted into this pageant, should be those who have built strong character, and consistently exercise it. The “behavioral and personal issues” of Miss Kentucky, noted by Paula M. Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Organization, should have been overcome.
Miss USA’s character should count heavily in the scoring, but does it? Where, among the factors considered most important for the young woman who would represent our nation, does character rank? We know that a young woman’s appearance in a swimsuit may qualify her to represent our nation. How she walks in an evening gown seems to be important. We are assured that a personal interview will reveal her successes, goals, and ambitions. But what about her character?
Miss USA’s character ought to matter above all other categories, but it does not. Both the Miss USA and Miss Universe websites clarify the reality of the competitions, and the absence of character, with this common statement:
Our judging system awards points based equally on personal interview, style (evening gown) and fitness (swimsuit). Additionally, consideration is placed on self-confidence, poise, public speaking skills, knowledge of current events and personality.
Character is not considered in the beauty pageant judging system – but it should be. A young woman who is going to represent a state, a nation, or even a city, should be a young woman of character. When she registers to enter, she should be asked for a generous number of quality character references. People who have known her for the prior 4-5 years should respond to pointed questions that reveal her character. Character traits such as Courage of Convictions and Responsibility should be evaluated carefully and fully. Self-control and respect should be considered.
If every young girl entering a beauty pageant took time to read Date with Responsibility, she would be brought face to face with a vital character trait, and urged by a believable teen character to build that trait into her life. If she did so, she would not lightly wear the crown of Miss USA. She would realize, when she signed the contract required by every title holder, that she was taking on a responsibility. She would embrace that responsibility with seriousness, and strive to fulfill it to the utmost of her ability. She would understand that exercising responsibility in regard to her title would involve personal sacrifice, and she would be willing for such sacrifice. She would understand that exercising responsibility as the one who wears the crown would bring consequences, and she would accept those consequences. She would not have “behavioral and personal issues” as a reigning Miss USA.
Miss USA’s character, her consistent exercise of moral excellence, should be a fourth point in the judging system. It should be a fourth point, but a top priority.
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?
You’re absolutely right. Why on earth would Americans want someone representing them in a host of areas when all she’s been judged on is her appearance and ability to speak in front of crowds. So many people will be listening to this young woman and yet no-one really knows what she might say or do - as already shown. And yet, she has been given another chance. We’ll see how this event has affected her.