France’s parliament is advancing legislation that would ban child beauty pageants to protect girls younger than 16 years old from being “sexualized” too early.  Anyone who enters a child in such a contest would face up to two years in prison and a 30,000 Euro fine.

“Let us not make our girls believe from a very young age that their worth is only judged by their appearance,” testified former Sports Minister Chantal Jouanno.

“The foundations of equal rights are threatened by the hyper-sexualization that touches children between six and twelve years old,” said conservative lawmaker Chantal Jouanno, who authored the amendment to a law on women's rights. 

The legislation passed the Senate by a 197-146 vote overnight.  It must go to the lower house of parliament for further debate and another vote.

This was inspired by a photo shoot that appeared in the December 2010 issue of Vogue Magazine, which featured three pre-teen girls, all three in heavy make-up and wearing tight dresses, high heels, and expensive jewelry.  Vogue defended the pictures, saying they merely portrayed little girls dressing up like their moms.

If it puts a merciful end to “Toddlers and Tiaras” and the execrable “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo”, then vive la France.