Even back then, the pageants weren’t meant for mastubatory purposes. “Geez, porn isn’t widely available - let’s put pretty girls onstage so dudes can jerk off!” That’s like saying the bra section of the Sears catalogue had a larger selection so men could whack off.
Pageants (can’t believe I’m defending them) were one of the few ways women could earn scholarships and funds. Women in the 50-70s frequently had few options but to trade in on looks. Going to college was often referred to as earning your Mrs degree.
True, why have them now. I don’t know. They continue to offer women the opportunity to earn scholarships and the ability to speak out around the world. Pageants are attempting to de-sexulize the content.
With all that being said, I hate them.
I've been involved in both the Miss America and Miss USA Pageant systems. Even thought I worked full time, I also designed and sewed women's evening wear. I've had several of my creations worn on the Miss America stage and at many local and State pageants. There's a lot of $$$ in these pageant dresses. It was how I supplemented my income.
I've been a judge at local pageants in the Miss America system. The young women who participate are goal oriented and educated. They are NOT usually who we read about in the news. And that's unfortunate because so many of these women are indeed some of the brightest and best this Nation has to offer.
Getting involved was an eye opener. And I quickly discovered that my initial opinion of pageants was flawed. And wrong. While Miss America began as a bathing beauty competition to prolong the tourist season in Atlantic City, New Jersey after the Labor Day weekend, it has morphed over the years into a scholarship/service-based pageant (each contestant has a platform that she promotes). There is a talent category. And yes, some talents are better than others! It's subjective. But, then again, so is beauty.
Miss USA began as a result of a dispute between the Miss America pageant and Catalina Swimsuit, one of their main sponsors at the time. One of the newly-crowned winners in the 1950's refused to pose for pictures in a swimsuit after she won. So, Catalina started the Miss USA pageant; it is more focused on the physicality of the contestants, and last I heard, each contestant pays an entry fee.
Both pageant systems have a rigorous interview process/portion that TV viewers don't see. This is where the contenders are judged on their ability to represent the title. How you speak. Poise. Grace. That intangible "IT" factor, if you will.
The young women who participate, for the most part, are there because of the scholarship money or the potential exposure for modeling, etc. The one constant feedback I've gotten from them was how, win or lose, their involvement helped shape them for their future. Most of the young women I know who participated came out of the experience a better person. More polished. More secure. And ready to face the world, if you will.
That doesn't mean that pageants are perfect. But it is important to remember that a young woman's involvement in them is voluntary. And that they can be quite the springboard for them, whether they win or lose. They learn valuable interview skills and translate to the real world of job hunting.
Pageants IMO are not much different than say figure skating competitions. You are judged subjectively. You could have two different panels of judges and have two different outcomes (winners and runners-up/silver & bronze medalists). I think a lot of the criticism directed at pageants is based on ignorance. Once I got involved, I quickly understood how they can be of value. To many young women. And IMO, that's never a bad thing!