Participation Backwards Argumentative Essay

All across America, you see the topic of “Should children be receiving participation trophies” being brought up. The idea that all kids should get some reward for being a part of the game and helping it grow. To some, it seems like an excellent idea, but to others not as much. For example, NFL linebacker James Harrison took his children 's participation trophies and gave them back to their coaches saying "EARN a real trophy." Other parents believe that their children deserve to be praised and want them to feel good for doing something they have worked hard. So which side is correct? Should we give our kids these trophies or not?

Participation trophies send a dangerous message. I have many trophies,but i worked hard for these trophies. Everyone on my team deserves my team. For the people who think giving out the same award at the end of the year to all the children; i am  sorry to inform you that your hurting the child more than not giving the child the trophy at all. Children need to know the importance of working hard than someone else. In life you do not make the same amount as your boss makes just because you show up on time everyday. Why would the kids who just show up to practice everyday vs the kids the more elite kids get the same reward. Life does not work like that.

Although it may be true that the participation trophies help children sweepingly, but there are many studies that presume differently. For example, “in a study of Gold Medal Olympians, they said a previous loss was key to their championship” (Merryman). Even a Gold Medalist will admit that they learned from their mistakes and it influenced their extensive win. Additionally, Abate goes on to explain that participation trophies help children with teamwork; however, he goes on to contradict himself by saying athletes do not care about those trophies, only the first place one. So, why should we have the trophies at all if they do not care about them? We should use the money for better equipment and supplies that the teams desperately need. Abate also argues that participation awards encourage teamwork when they supposedly “boosts children’s confidence.” Participation awards continuously over praise children, which later on makes them lazy and have over confidence.

I understand that kids need to have some type of recognition for at least participating in an activity rather than not being involved. Yet I do not believe that handing out participation trophies to

The general argument made by Berdan in her work, “Participation Trophies Send A Dangerous Message,” is that participation awards commemorate individuals for everyone being a winner. More specifically, Berdan argues that distributing participation trophies to all participants diminishes the meaning of the first, second, or third place trophy. She writes, “When awards are handed out like candy to every child who participates, they diminish in value.” In this passage, Berdan is suggesting that rewarding children constantly with a trophy decreases the value of the trophy that the actual winners earned. Personally, I agree with Berdan because I agree with the concept that providing children with constant rewards sends a dangerous message later in life. On the other hand, writer Eric Priceman defends his opinion that these continuous awards are a necessary part of the education process for young children and will benefit them to strive for better. More specifically, Priceman argues that there is a difference between an award and a reward; he states that an award is given for achievement while a reward is given for accomplishment. He writes, “Just syntax maybe, but anyone that has ever achieved at the highest level has had to endure multiple levels of accomplishment first.” In this passage, Priceman is suggesting that people who have reached the highest levels of trophies and medals have also been encouraged along the way with things such as participation awards. He describes the action of distributing participation awards similarly to encouraging phrases that motivate an individual to strive for greatness. Despite his argument, I believe Priceman is wrong because rewarding children with a meaningless trophy or certificate provides no benefit for them in their future. More specifically, I

Do you remember what it was once like to win a trophy? Those huge, golden statues that resembled an accomplishment that you completed? How happy you were when you received your very own trophy too? Everyone should be able to recall when you were once rewarded for any outstanding achievement that they've done. What if I told you, however, that the trophy you received when you were a child wasn't so special? That it was, in fact, a participation trophy, and every other child got one. Would it be so special now? That's the problem that kids are facing now with participation trophy's, due to its lack of being "one of a kind". I believe that because of its lack of being unique, a participation trophy shouldn't be required to be given out at our

Is giving kids participation trophies beneficial to children, or motivation killers? Many people all around the U.S. have their opinions for both sides of the discussion. James Harrison, linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has weighed in on this topic. In many people’s eyes, his beliefs make a lot of sense, they understand where he’s coming from and what he is speaking about. Carol Dweck also made a statement to NPR about her belief’s on the topic. There are millions of important facts that need to be talked about with this epidemic: an estimated fifty-seven percent said “only winners” should receive a trophy for participation in kids sports, giving out participation trophies is tantamount to giving kids the wrong kind of praise, and this

Elementary students who participate in group sports often receive participation awards at the end of the sports season. James Harrison posted on twitter that he felt participation trophies were wrong, because the child did not actually achieve anything. This post has caused a major controversy across the United States. Some parents agree with Harrison and say that participation trophies create a false sense of achievement, which stops their child from trying hard later on. I, however, disagree. Participation awards help kids feel like they had a part in an activity, reward children from their effort, and can help them strive for success.

There has been a lot of controversy lately if kids should get participation trophies. Participation trophies are the trophies handed out to the kids or teams that do not do good in the competition. Now my opinion is I think they should get rid of the participation trophies for good. I think it takes all the competition out of it and it makes kids think they do not have to try as hard because they know they are getting a trophy no matter what. Other people argue that if all the kids get a trophy it gives them the courage to keep playing even if they are not as good as the other kids and that they should be awarded for their efforts. I can see where they are coming from because it is good for all kids to play sports, it is a lot of fun! I think

Participation trophies are a highly debated topic among childrens sports. Many people beleive it is unessarcary, while others beleive it boosts self-esteem to non-confident young athletes. Participation Trophies should not be handed out because kids will learn that if the just give a little effort towards accomplishing something they will get rewarded.

Participation trophies should not be handed out to teach children the purpose of working hard to achieve your

I understand that some people believe that everyone should get participation trophies, but I believe only the winners should get trophies.

Only the kids who actually win deserve to be recognized for their hard work that paid off in the end. “The benefit isn’t actually winning. The benefit is improving. When you’re constantly giving a kid a trophy for everything they 're doing, you’re saying, ‘I don 't care about improvements’” (Participation trophies reward mediocrity 2). This conveys the idea that when a child is constantly being praised they think they have no more room for improvement and are the best they could be. Although, there is always room for developing as an athlete to become a higher level sportsman. In general, participation trophies hurt kids more than they help them and are ineffective ways to reward kids.

Participation trophies aren't good for kids, and even kids health, for multiple reasons. First of all Sports aren't for trophies. Sports are for fun! Sports Psychology, Jonathan Fader says, “the science suggests that we need to be praising our kids on the process, not result” (Website 1). Another thing that might change people's perception about participation trophies is that it isn't fair for kids that actually won. If you try your hardest you will most likely win, and

Participation trophies tend to make kids lazier. A lot of people say that “kids don’t have to try as hard to get an award,”(3). That is said because kids, even if they aren’t good at the sport, are treated as winners because “as long as you tried and had fun, you won!” Also in theory “when kids grow up and go to college or to get a job, they will more than likely give up instead of trying harder,” (4). That is because as kids, we are rewarded for just trying “our hardest” instead of for pushing past your previous limits to improve. That just helps to prove my point that we get too many trophies.