WOMEN OF WESTERN: Miss Teen USA

USA Today was the first to report the announcement. “This new direction for Miss Teen USA is a great way to celebrate the active lives that so many young women lead and set a strong example for our peers,” current Miss Teen USA Katherine Haik said.

Miss Teen USA wants to change the swimsuit portion of the competition to athletic wear, and I couldn't be more supportive! 😊

— Janki Patel (@princessjanki) June 29, 2016

Miss Teen USA Is Getting Rid Of Its Bikini Contest And Replacing It With Athleisure https://t.co/hmilM3UseR pic.twitter.com/YfBtkuo1xX — BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) June 30, 2016

However, not everyone is praising the organization for their decision. A video from the New York Post made the point that while retracting the swimsuit portion of the competition is a positive change, judging teens on their appearance in athletic wear and evening gowns still places importance on looks, not intelligence.   “For Miss Universe and Miss USA, that’s a very important part of the competition and will continue to be an important part of the competition,” Antinoro said. While changing the bikini portion of the competition to athletic wear might be a step in the right direction, is it enough? Let The Western Front know what you think in the comments below.

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