Crying Baby Contest

Seems like baby on the right did his/her best to win!

I'd be crying to if my mother had handed me over to a stranger. Those poor kids must be terrified.

This is really cruel.

Saw this once at a shrine in Hyogo prefecture. The wrestlers who held the babies were extremely gentle, and in a way it was cute, but it's less a prayer for the health of babies than it is a kind of entertainment.

Good for their little lungs. It makes them more stronger and less likely to get fear. Good!

Why does the government allow this absurd ritual?

It is a contest! The little piglets are being squeezed and pinched to make them squeal louder to win.

Although for the intention of actually making my child cry --something I'd not do, to purposefully aim to cause fear in my child-- the crying is a natural response mechanism, I don't understand why you'd WANT your child to be stressed out, but babies do cry when given to strangers by a parent. The infants are not being physically abused, maybe mentally though!

There is already enough bullying in Japanese society.... at least babies should be spared. This is one stupid "tradition".

Should be renamed "Most Traumatized Baby Contest".

It makes them more stronger and less likely to get fear.

No, it's the contrary. That's the best way to make a kid fearful.

CosAPR. 27, 2014 - 07:04PM JST It makes them more stronger and less likely to get fear. No, it's the contrary. That's the best way to make a kid fearful.

Actually no. I had a childhood full of fear and crap happening to me and it made me fearless. A little bit of fear training on this new generation will harden them up.

Just Ridiculous.....

"Actually no. I had a childhood full of fear "

These are not children. They are infants.

Actually no.

OK, your alleged child memories have more value than the thousands scientific studies made about stressing infants.

I see nothing cruel or wrong, getting kids involved is essential for normal growth and development, and don't you feel better after a good cry? I know I do...

Actually no. I had a childhood full of fear and crap happening to me and it made me fearless. A little bit of fear training on this new generation will harden them up.

Oh, I most definitely agree with you about that.