Young children modeling; is this really a good thing for kids?  

I was zapping the other day and I came across the doctor Phill show. They were talking about children participating in beauty contests and modeling.
They didn't look much like kids though, they had more make up on than anyone I'd ever seen, and they were dressed up like marilyn monroe or something. It wasn't natural at all and it made me feel sick to my stomache. Or these kids actually having fun?
Aren't you attracting the wrong kind of people by putting lots of make up and sexy clothing on a six-year-old?

They also said there was a lot of hate and competition, I couldn't believe what things there were said. Not the children did this, but their moms! It was unbelievable.

Why can't kids just be kids? Isn't a baby by Anne Geddes adorable, they are dressed up too and they might look silly at times; but these kids don't send out a sexual message (which I feel some of these older kids do unintentionally).
How does everyone feel about this? Should people decide for themselves or is it damaging these children?