The swimsuit contest has never held much intrigue or even curiosity for me. My feelings are that if women want to parade around in their swimsuit and be judged by a panel of judges then this is their prerogative. Even though the swimsuit contest still comes in for a lot of criticism, it has been around for a great number of years, and will no doubt be around for a great deal more.

On a positive note, the swimsuit contest has launched many a successful career in the fashion industry. Of course a great number of girls enter these contests solely in the hope that they will be recognized as an up and coming new star. Top swimsuit models have reached star status, and are now on equal footing with the extremely highly paid divas of the fashion industry.

There are some of us that are born to look absolutely fantastic in a swimsuit, but most of us will fall into the very average category. For those of us who are always looking to cover up to hide our generous curves, entering a swimsuit contest would never enter our heads.

The swimsuit contest by its very nature is responsible for many women judging themselves far too harshly. This can lead to feelings of embarrassment, inadequacy and unhappiness. These 'perfect' number ten bodies are impossible for most of us to achieve.

The swimsuit contest is often responsible for great positive changes in people's lives. Just witnessing a contest is often enough to inspire a woman to make changes to her eating and exercise habits. Pre-summer swimsuit parades will also have the same effect, and if it all makes for a happier, healthier person then this is a very welcome bonus.

It can't be denied, that the swimsuit contest has been responsible for raising significant sums of money for worthwhile charities. This can represent the major fund-raiser for many organizations over a twelve month period. The organizers will argue quite successfully, that these women are being judged on their obvious physical fitness, grace and posture.

Two of the most famous swimsuit contests are those that are held in conjunction with the Miss America and Miss Universe titles. Although they are not the prominent feature that they used to be, the swimsuit section is still regarded very much as a hi-light even though the votes are usually worth less than 20% of the overall count. Conversational skills as well as intelligence are now deemed to be far more important.

Even though it has been said that the swimsuit contest is exploitation of women to the highest degree, it has been around for a long time, and is going to be with us for a long time into the future. Most of us can never achieve the body that is necessary to win a swimsuit contest, but that doesn't mean that we are not the perfect ten inside.