Beauty, form and function

Why Miss America's 'reforms' won't find followers

The beauty pageants business has been reviled for objectifying women ever since Miss America, the world’s first swimsuit competition, was held in 1921. It is a criticism that has endured in the face of the contrarian enthusiasm of large numbers of young women to participate in these events. Now, 97 years later, the 21st century successor to Ms America has made an obligatory nod towards the #metoo movement sparked by its chairperson Gretchen Carlson and announced that it will scrap the swimsuit and evening grown segments of the show. Also, Ms Carlson, the former TV anchor who accused Fox News