Trophies : A Symbol Of Victory, Not Participation

Participation trophies are changing kids ideas of winning around the globe in many ways. First off, it gives children the wrong impression on working or putting an effort towards something. Trophies are something you should have to earn. Life doesn’t give you a participation medal, you have to earn it (Website #2). Kids just need to learn that

Should every kid get a trophy? Well, I think not every kid should get a trophy. That is because they need to learn you are a winner sometimes and sometimes you are a loser.

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.

While many writers claim that participation trophies are beneficial, writer Ashley Merryman agrees with the idea that participation trophies are more destructive than beneficial regarding the learning process of a child. The general argument made by Merryman in her work, “Forget Trophies, Let Kids Know It’s O.K. to Lose,” is that providing

Do we give children too many trophies? According to Bob cook a sports father of four, “when it comes to participation trophies in my experience kids know the score.” Therefore at the end of the day, a trophy for involvement is a gift, and children are aware. Based on the facts and anecdotal evidence we are not giving children too many trophies. These pieces of plastic are a source of memorabilia. In addition, the trophy does not reflect the kid’s attitude towards hard work.

A new trend across America has risen in sports. Event officials are doling out participation trophies in massive numbers. The question is, are these participation trophies negatively changing the basic American values we treasure in these children? Yes, participation trophies are shaping a new cultural norm of entitlement and it promotes a new attitude of doing nothing, yet still being rewarded for it. This trend must be put to a halt and reversed. Participation trophies are not the answer to making kids feel better about themselves.

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

Our society has shifted its beliefs in how we should treat competition in young people. The concept that "everyone receives a trophy" has taken the place of only rewarding those who achieve excellence within that activity. Rewarding all participants in youth activities and sports has become standard practice in American culture. "Should kids get a trophy for participation?" or should only the achievers receive a trophy? In the following essay it will explore the idea that everyone should win from participating and get an achievement for being there.

The topic of whether children should receive participation trophies has sparked national debate. According to a recent

Should all youth athletes receive participation trophies? According to the "Trophies for All " policy, youth athletes are being awarded with participation trophies. Some people believe that in life, you have to work hard for what you want. Participation trophies boost youth athletes self-confidence. In addition, participation trophies are used to motivate kids to have fun playing sports. Also, participation trophies put a smile on children's faces. Every child should receive a participation trophy, for just showing up.

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

I have looked up this topic and shows a variety of results, the ones that say not all kids should get a trophy I think this will make the kids who tried hard, but didn’t get recognized for a trophy that could how someone grows

To Lose.” Her position on the argument of all youth receiving trophies for participation is strong. Merryman believes that we are teaching kids that losing is terrible and that we can never let it happen. She implies that we must focus more on progress and process instead of receiving recognition. In the opinion article, Merryman states “Research has found that kids with low self-esteem believe they can’t live up to their own hype, so they withdraw even further”.

trophies can make kids grow up to be narcissistic,irresponsible,lazy,and unmotivated. A debate has been going on between parents a while now over kids receiving participation trophies in activities like sports. I beleive that kids should not receive participant trophies.