While perhaps best known through national contests (Miss America, etc) or international pageants like Miss Universe, beauty pageants represent a much more complex system, defining femininity on the basis of body, face and personality (with occasional nods to talent or intellect). Pageants begin in babyhood—children and teen competitions have gained notoriety as exploitative arenas—and continue through Mrs America and events for older women. They may also represent localities and special events (as in the movie Miss Firecracker, 1989), ethnic groups (Miss Chinatown USA) or company sponsorship (Miss Rheingold was a famous brewery advertising device in New York City, NY).

While touted as a step to stardom for some, they tend to be minor triumphs for most, often at great cost. While similar male events have emerged, they are eclipsed by more athletic or muscular competitions. “Drag” contests, however, do replicate and parody the female values of the pageants.