Should Adolescents Participation Backwards Be Paid?

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?

Yes it might make kids feel good when they receive a trophy. But the kids that do nothing don't deserve a trophy.

In an age where everyone is expected to be recognized, there must be an understanding that the world does not progress by congratulating the “average.” I believe that giving participation trophies makes people stop competing; especially if the trophies are given at a very early age. For example, a team of small children have a terrible baseball season, but it’s okay! Because the coach gives out trophies to everyone. This in turn only teaches the child that no matter how bad life gets, they will always be rewarded. Participation trophies create future generations of entitled adults as seen by today’s generation. We need to reward kids that work hard for what they do for the sake of risk and reward. That is simply how progress is made in society. Yet I agree with one point made by the opposing side. I believe that participation should be recognized sometimes. Participation can teach kids that teamwork matters in every little aspect of society. Participation trophies should be eliminated but participation should still merely just be recognized with a pat on the back as said by Betty Berdan, a high school junior from Connecticut. Participation trophies overall hinder the growing and learning process of kids; whether it is through sports, or any other competitive involvement.

Participation trophies can vary from sports to clubs to activities of any type. Many people believe these standard awards provide many benefits for children and their childhood growth. However, children today have become accustomed to receiving an item or prize regardless the outcome of their effort, which could potentially send an unhealthy message about achievement and diminish the value of the award.

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

With the news of James Harrison, the outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who took his kids participation trophies ignited a national conservation over the idea of Participation trophies. While many say that the idea of a participation trophy is idealizes a non-competitive attitude , I however say it's a great idea. One of main reasons on why we have participation trophies is that we would rather have your kid feel good about themselves then bad bad. The thing is, we are not talking about NFL Superstar Athletes, we are talking about 6 to 12 year olds. The worst thing you can tell a kid is that they aren't good enough. Kids shouldn’t be held up to the hall of fame standards, they aren't being idolize in the Little League hall of fame

Last year 7 year old Billy beat his opponent in a tennis match. Billy was so enlightened that he was going to get a trophy. Then, he looks to his opponent and saw that he was getting the same trophy as Billy! Billy felt very depressed after that because he worked so hard to win just to see the opponent getting a trophy for clearly not as much work. Participation trophies started in the 60’s to motivate inner city kids, but it spread like wildfire everywhere. Kids should not get trophies just for participating they need to work hard to get them this is ,because after time trophies can lose their value. It will also not encourage kids to improve with skills , and it is very expensive.

Do you believe young athletes should earn participation trophies? According to "Trophies For All Policy," youth athletes are being rewarded with participation trophies. There can be positive and negative results from earning a participation trophy. But, not everyone can be rewarded for nothing. Some parents believe earning participation trophies could help boost some young athletes confidence, but is that what sports are all about though? Youth sports are not just about winning or earning a trophy, it is mostly about playing the game and enjoying yourself.

Children should be given trophies based on their hard work and dedication. When a child starts something, knowing in the end that he or she will just receive a trophy no matter the outcome, then he or she feels they do not have to work as hard as if they were to have to work for that award. Not receiving a trophy could motivate a child to work hard and stay committed in that activity to achieve the best that he or she can be. “I don't care about improvement. I don't care that you're learning from your mistakes. All we expect is that you're always a winner”(Ross). This quote can offer a lot of insight. Although, it may say “I don’t care that you’re learning from your mistakes,” it only encourages learning from mistakes. If winning is the ultimate goal, children will learn from experience on what works and what does not work to help them win. Awards should be used as incentives for children to work hard. Like winning a state championship or individual wise like being a Most Valuable Player (MVP). That would show them that they out work everyone else and this is what they are rewarded

Should kids get trophies for participating, yes because if a kid lost a game and he did not get anything it would probably make him feel bad and most likely he would not want to play that sport again. When a child gets a trophy it shows them that they tried their hardest and gave it their all to finish and accomplish their goal. Getting a participating trophy is good because They teach kids about good sportsmanship and they teach them to accept when they lose because they tried. So is it good that everybody gets a trophy or is it bad?

My first reason why every kid should not get a trophy is because the athletes and students will never want to challenge themselves. Letnice Dennis states that, “ by creating opportunities for healthy competition, students are given a reason to try harder and do better”. This shows that losing and not earning something is going to cause the kids to try

The children need to know that doing their absolute best will benefit them in the long run because they’ll receive a reward for all the hard work and dedication that, they put into the activity or sport. “Participation trophies are sugar coating the fact that children did not win at something” (“To Give or not to give participation trophies”). They should not be rewarded for participating and not coming out on top. We set goals to reach them, and be rewarded, we never get anywhere by just participating and not reaching the goals we set. Sports are about learning from mistakes and bettering yourself; for example, in softball, the athlete gets up to bat and the pitcher throws three strikes in a row and they strike out, but when they get back up to hit again they are going to adjust to the pitcher's speed and get a hit the second time around. Children learn from striking out, because making mistakes better them in the long run. If the children are being handed a reward for just participating, they are not learning from their mistakes. Children are not learning from their mistakes; therefore, they are not correcting their mistakes. This generation is learning bad habits at a young age. Parents are not comprehending that a bad work ethic at a young age will only get worse as they get older. For example, if a child scoots by in school and sports with no structure,

Imagine a world where everyone receives a trophy for everything we do? According to the "trophies for all" policy, youth athletes are being award with participation trophies. Money spent on trophies will make a kid smile. Every player getting a trophy will help them stay in sports.giving pericipation is not harmful for kids.however participation doesn't represent real life trophies for all can be better later on in life by giving the kids confidence now.

On my soccer team, no matter what, everyone ended up getting a trophy, and the kids who did work hard felt like it was for nothing. Young athletes will never learn that when people try their hardest they will be rewarded, they will become vain and always expect rewards. In addition children will not know what it is like to lose because every time kids end up getting trophies, they have to fail to succeed. To begin with, some coaches and experts may argue that it boosts confidence in younger athletes, actors, and more. They will get confident enough to pursue what they are doing and win trophies.

They say it helps boost the kids self-esteem which is a better alternative than learning other skills, but if everybody is praised and earns an award, than the kids will not see winning as a big deal, and will not try as much. Bob Cook, a contributor to Forbes' article 'Only A Few Win' Mentality More Dangerous to Kids Than Participation Trophies, disagrees by saying, "kids tend to know when a trophy is just for showing up, and whether it's for a championship." (Cook, 2016) But if kids grow up earning awards, they might grow up thinking any true award is not as big of a deal and they will not know how to win, lose, or achieve gracefully. Losing at something would be a shock to the kids. This is because they would be so used to always earning something no matter they did.. The kids might end up acting out in rage and demonstrate poor sportsmanship. Afterwards, this behavior would represent the kids' maturity level