(PEOPLE.com) -- For nearly three years, the hit TLC show "Toddlers & Tiaras" has captured the drama behind the scenes in the world of child beauty pageants. 

The tantrums were extreme, and the pre-show prep of spray tanning and eyebrow waxing seemed perhaps premature for little kids. 

But in the last few weeks, as footage of 3- and 4-year-olds dressed in overly adult costumes (like Dolly Parton, complete with padded breasts, or Julia Roberts's streetwalker from "Pretty Woman") hit the airwaves, viewers and pageant skeptics have been expressing horror at an industry that is now accused of "sexualizing" young girls. 

"Little girls are supposed to play with dolls, not be dolls," New York-based licensed clinical social worker Mark Sichel tells PEOPLE in its new issue. 

He adds that the extremes parents go to in order to prepare their children for competition -- using padding, fake hair, flippers (faux teeth) and spray tans -- "causes the children tremendous confusion, wondering why they are not okay without those things." 

Now devoted pageant moms are speaking out in their own defense. Wendy Dickey, who dressed her daughter Paisley, 3, as Julia Roberts, tells PEOPLE the look was "tasteful and funny." Still, "If I knew there would be a reaction like this, I never would have used it," Dickey says. "Next time, she'll be dressed as an angel." 

And Juana Myers, whose daughter MaKenzie has been featured on Tiaras, says unfair scrutiny has been placed on the pageant industry. "If this were a sport, no one would question it," she says. "This is her sport." 
What's the main topic?
In which format?
In what channel?
Is the show somwat overboard?
How so?
Who were the participants?
Did they impersonate anyone?
Who?
In what character?
Did audience took it okay?
Why?
Who said that?
Who is he?
Where did he commented that?
Was he worried about the kids?
Why?
Like what?
Was there any responses from other side?
Who were they?
Any specific person?
child beauty pageants
For nearly three years, the hit TLC show "Toddlers & Tiaras" has captured the drama behind the scenes in the world of child beauty pageants
a tv show
 the hit TLC show
TLC
 the hit TLC show
yes
The tantrums were extreme
tantrums were extreme
The tantrums were extreme
3- and 4-year-olds
footage of 3- and 4-year-olds
yes
(like Dolly Parton, complete with padded breasts, or Julia Roberts's streetwalker from "Pretty Woman"
Dolly Parton
 Dolly Parton, complete with padded breasts, or Julia Roberts's streetwalker from "Pretty Woman")
Julia Roberts's streetwalker from "Pretty Woman"
 (like Dolly Parton, complete with padded breasts, or Julia Roberts's streetwalker from "Pretty Woman"
no
"If I knew there would be a reaction like this, I never would have used it,
Little girls are supposed to play with dolls
Little girls are supposed to play with dolls
Mark Sichel
 New York-based licensed clinical social worker Mark Sichel tells PEOPLE in its new issue. 
a social worker
New York-based licensed clinical social worker Mark Sichel
in  PEOPLE
Mark Sichel tells PEOPLE in its new issue
yes
causes the children tremendous confusion,
it confuses them
causes the children tremendous confusion
wondering why they are not okay without those things
causes the children tremendous confusion, wondering why they are not okay without those things
yes
Now devoted pageant moms are speaking out in their own defense
pageant moms

Now devoted pageant moms are speaking out in their own defense.
Juana Myers
Juana Myers