http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n81tnK3q-w0&feature=related
The Youtube video above is about a young child star, Eden Wood, who has appeared on the TLC show, “Toddlers and Tiaras.” It is an interview about her titles as a child pageant star and her life off the stage. The video clip also contains finished pictures of Eden in her costumes. We have selected some of the viewer comments as shown above. What issue are the commenters arguing against or for? Is there agreement or discord among the commenters? Which, if any, of the commenters make the strongest argument? What about their argument makes it compelling? Who do you think the video clip is geared towards? Of the arguments that are bad, what are they lacking? Do you think any of the comments are rude or inappropriate? If so, why?
Those that chose to comment on the video were in disagreement as to the appearance of the young girl. While some thought that Eden appeared cute in her photographs, others felt it was setting her up for trials in the future. It seemed as though all were in agreement that it was not the child’s fault either way, but instead the mother’s. As one viewer argues “She’s so gorgeous but she’s clearly too young to understand what’s going on... Eden you look gorgeous without makeup and I hope that one day before its too late, your mum understands that”. This viewer is clearly distraught that a mother would set her daughter up for self-image issues in the future and presents her argument in an effective way by taking a pathos path to evoke emotion. Another viewer was troubled and presented the risk of perverts preying on her daughter as evidence against the mother’s behavior. This clip is blatantly aimed toward an audience of media, so that Eden can be discovered, but I feel that the mother should consider the risks associated with childhood fame before placing her daughter in a potentially dangerous position.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I think most of the commenters are in agreement, over the fact that what this girl is being forced to take part in, is inappropriate. Some comments are less...blunt than others in their discontent. Some just state that this is inappropriate because she's too young to understand what's going on...while others just come out and say "you realize she's six, correct?" I think that's actually the strongest argument, because it's like...getting people's attention, like "HELLOO!!! she's six!" Other people justify the fact that its inappropriate what this girl is taking part in, but I think that's really a call to attention, which makes it compelling. I think this video is geared towards fans of the show, like its almost as if this girl is being advertised (which i find even more disgusting), not only for the purpose of being discovered by television or producers, but also because i think the kind of mothers that are putting their daughters through these things, they're actually proud of what they're doing. Perhaps they want to show off their daughter and be like, look at how beautiful she can be. Which I think gives a negative message to people everywhere, not just because I feel like its very wrong to essentially force a child into adulthood so quickly, but also because it sends the message that to be beautiful and successful, you need to pretty much be superficial.
ReplyDeleteThe issue at hand is how the Toddlers and Tiaras show on TLC is showing the inside scope of young pageant stars lifestyle on and off the pageant stage. The extremely young girls are acting as if they are 21 years old and applying makeup, getting fake tans, and even wearing heels higher then I do. However, I believe the posts on the YouTube video are extremely harsh for such a young girl. The commenters are arguing about the outfits and make out Eden wears. The commenters are just judging Eden and not really making relevance to their points. They are arguing she looks adorable without makeup but “creepy” with it on. I don’t find this constructive at all, this is the girls mothers fault. The audience is probably just trying to persuade to anyone who enjoys shows on TLC. However, the viewers and commenters seem to be the people who hate on Toddlers and Tiaras. The arguments are lacking back up and relevance. I feel as if they just hate on Eden without any relevance and are being extremely rude.
ReplyDeleteThe viewers prompt several arguments regarding this video. They reference her age, which could lead to discussion as to whether or not young Eden is old enough to be exposed to this lifestyle. The viewers also propose the question of what purpose the mother has presenting her daughter in this way. The viewers also reference the idea of Eden wearing so much make-up at a young age, hinting that so much emphasis on looks at a young age could lead to severe problems down the road. Most viewers make comments regarding Eden’s mother, and her reasoning for not ONLY allowing but supporting Eden in the pageant world. Some viewers argue that Eden is adorable where others view her as a brat. I believe xzday makes the strongest argument of the comments selected. XZDAY states their concern and then agrees that there are many fans but provides the other side of the argument that many fans could also be perverted and putting a young girl out there is a risky move. It is good that this viewer provided both sides/perspectives to the argument she made. I believe the clip is geared towards fans of the show “Toddlers and Tiarras,” because it sounds as if Eden is trying to sell herself (agree with Molly, disgusting) so to speak to gain more fans and even mentions a tour, of which would be an event that only fans would most likely be interested in. Most of the arguments lack substantial evidence. They are mainly viewers simply voicing their opinion with no evidence to persuade others to believe the way they do. I believe it is inappropriate to call out Eden and call her a brat in text. Although the video may present her in this way, the viewer should consider how she is off camera as well as her home environment and experiences that she has been put through by her mother.
ReplyDeleteI think that the commenters are arguing against such a young child prancing around in makeup and doing grown-up things. Most of the commenters agree with this fact, and the one's that don't typically are using a language that seems very unreliable. I think the commenters that make the strongest arguments are those that have written in complete sentences. Compared to the other colloquial typing, they appear more credible because of the way they are able to have a complete thought without totally butchering the English language. Their arguments are also more reliable because they are supported. The commenters who only made a statement and did not support their claim do not have as strong of an argument. Basically, I believe, the more formal and complete a commenters writing is (at least in this sense) the more credibility they have and the more compelling their argument is to me. Making a statement, written in poor English, without any support gives me no reason to believe what you say.
ReplyDeleteThe viewers comments include several different arguments.The main comments that stand out are the ones that aren't rude but disagree with what Eden's parents are having her do. Other comments are by her fans in support of her video and there are two that are rude and talk about another pageant child and their hate for Eden. I think the most compelling arguments are the two that address the issue that she is too young for this. I think it is compelling because they have strong points and I agree with them. Many of the other arguments, if they can even be called that, are bad because they lack any sort of evidence. They are really more just opinions than arguments. I think the hate comments are rude and should be taken down, no one should have to read things like that about themselves especially if they are only 6 and probably don't even fully understand what they are doing.
ReplyDeleteThe majority of the commenters are arguing against the mother of Eden for allowing her or perhaps encouraging her to dress so scandalously and with so much make up on. Some of the comments talk about how beautiful this young girl would be without make up and they seem to suggest that she will be adversely affected by such a childhood, for example the comment that states, "I hope that one day before its too late, your mum understands that." I feel that this is the strongest argument because the commenter says that this young girl is too young to understand what is going on. Some who may argue for Eden to continue doing these pageants argue that she wants to participate but this commenter puts it into perspective when she says that she is too young to understand that this is not appropriate for such a young girl. I think that the video is geared towards the supporters of pageants for toddlers because it shows clips of Eden at the pageants and in her full hair and makeup. A few of the commenters focused on the amount of dogs that she has which is not making an argument at all. The first comment shown in the image is just a sarcastic comment on the fact that Eden is six years old. This argument is lacking because it does not really try to make an argument, it just tries to let the audience know what is seemingly obvious, that this girl is too young to be in a pageants.
ReplyDeleteThe people who commented on the video are arguing whether it is right or wrong to push a very young girl to wear risque outfits and wear more make up than a clown. It seemed that the majority of commenters do not agree with the mother to put her daughter in these pageants, however, there were those who agreed with the mother and seemed to highly support Eden Wood. Of all the comments, the strongest was “shes so gorgeous but shes clearly too young to understand whats going on... Eden you look gorgeous without makeup and i hope that one day before its too late, your mum understands that”. This person brings up very good points. Eden is only six, she really does not know what is going on or what the difference between right and wrong is yet. She is too young, it is the mother’s job to make sure that the child is learning the difference between right and wrong, but Eden’s mother is encouraging something that does not seem right. As the commenter said, hopefully Eden realizes that you don’t need make up and short outfits to look good. I think this video is geared towards people who are interested in pageants or people who watch the show “Toddlers and Tiaras” so that people can hear from Eden, allowing them to like her more or to just get Eden’s name out to the public. I think that there were a few comments that were inappropriate because they were talking about a six year old in a very rude way, however, I do believe they were arguing the right things, just in the wrong way.
ReplyDeleteThe commenters of the video seem very disorganized in what they are arguing about. Some are encouraging, some are discouraging. Those encouraging cite her enthusiasm at such a young age and "adorable" looks. Those discouraging often have no support, for example one commenter wrote: "Spoilt Ugly Brat", with no reasoning at all. The poster of the video: ChildStarsTV is clearly slanted toward portraying an "up-and-coming celebrity", hence it is not a very credible source. The video is intended to essentially get the word out of this important young six year old's likes and dislikes and her newly released CD. The people most likely to watch this would be people with an interest in beauty pageants and/or pageants in general. I believe their goal with this video is to surprise the ideal audience of pageant lovers that this young girl is only six and is likely doing better than you/your child. This clip is also slanted in that it does not portray what she has to sacrifice to be where she is. She is clearly sacrificing her youth, as she is currently on a Mid-Western tour. Some of the comments were very inappropriate, likely because they have anonymity to hide behind some sort of twisted pleasure of degrading little girls.
ReplyDeleteI think that the majority of commenters have different perspecitives. Some people point out the problem on this issue because, she doesn't perceive what she is doing. So she pretend to be tweties who enter a beauty contest. According to the video clip, it would be seemed to ignore her inner appearence and opinion. Also, i think that her parents try to merchandise her. It seems that she tries to play twenties and go through with it. But, she is too young to judge the situation and her mom doesn't perform her duty as mom. She is just only six, although she is famous persone in the pageant. So, i think that there is a limit as to what she can to as six years old. If we were six years old, we could not figure out what is wrong or not.
ReplyDeleteThe commenters are arguing over whether or not it is really appropriate for such a young child to be doing what she is doing. There are also disturbing comments about "hating" Eden Wood. Those comments are vey disheartening. How can one "hate" such a young child? If anything this appears to be a parental flaw, not one of the child. The strongest comment was probably the fourth up from the bottom. The commenter mentions that she is much to young to be dressing up like that, and that hopefully someday her mom will understand how ridiculous this is. This clip is clearly geared towards followers of the show. I would say that the arguments that are poor, are those that bash Eden Wood. They aren't really arguments, but I find it disturbing and inappropriate to be saying negative things about a toddler. Overall, I think that the entire toddlers and tiaras concept is disturbing. Clearly this is a show about mothers who never lived up to their own expectations, and as a result they are living vicariously through their daughters.
ReplyDeleteThe commenters on the youtube page seem to primarily be against Eden's mother for allowing her to participate in this competition. Many people feel that makeup shouldn't be worn until kids are older, so they do not get dependent on it early on. A lot of people responding here kept saying that Eden would look pretty without the makeup on. They find it sad, that this child will be coveriing up her natural beauty for the rest of her life starting at such a young age. I personally take their side on this clip. I find it hard to agree with putting kids into that type of lifestyle so early on in their lives. Eden is gonna grow up needing the attention she got as a kid, and might nto be confident in herself since she has been covered with makeup for so much of her childhood.
ReplyDeleteThe commenters deal with young people especially young girls on their appearance. Majority of people say that it is now allow to younger people do the make-ups until they become adult and I strongly agree with this opinion. When younger people show their natural beauty and their pureness, it looks more prettier than mocking adult by doing the make-ups.
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