Participation Controversy

Therefore, children should not be given participation awards simply for competing. If you teach someone they will be rewarded for going to a competition and participating, they will not be prepared for reality, “Showing up to work, attending class, completing homework and trying my best at sports practice are expected of me, not worthy of an award.”

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.

Heffernan believes that if kids are given these trophies as a sign of recognition, even for just showing up, they will become motivated to do more next time, because when it comes down to winning and losing, at a young age it’s not a necessity, as the lesson in that is all around them (Heffernan, Paragraph 3). The main lesson in this is that it teaches kids at a young age to not give up, and to strive to succeed, although there is no need to fret over failure, because what matters is that you do your best. Even if success isn’t the result, then working hard with recognition as motivation will have a greater outcome the next time. Not only that, but it is a lesson in teamwork, as kids are taught to work together, and if someone is struggling, then they are there to help, since they have been in the same situation (Heffernan, Paragraph 8). Teamwork is a major key in adulthood. There will be many instances in which teamwork is key, and will make tasks easier to handle. Where there is teamwork, there is also leadership, a quality that many discover through teamwork. It is important for kids to learn leadership in order to handle difficult situations in the future. There are some negatives to those who receive participation trophies, as there can be kids who just don’t care at all about any recognition, and can grow out of the sport, or anything else. Sometimes, what is used to motivate some can be seen as discouraging towards others, and there is where a flaw is seen with

Participation trophies only hurt kids. These trophies have been given out in many sports for decades but they do not mean much to older children. Something as simple as golden painted plastic will not keep a child playing for long after their first years. Children must also be taught how to compete early on. These trophies create a lack of competition in youth athletes and should not be given to children above the age of ten to help teach them life skills and to protect them from struggling in their future lives when they will have to compete for jobs.

Once I had a teammate that would cry every gymnastics competition they went to because they were not awarded for anything passed fourth. Their mom would explain to them that if they worked harder and turned that maudlin feeling into motivation, they would be on the leaderboard. So, she worked harder in the gym and eventually ended up fourth with a beaming smile plastered on her face. This correlates with the controversial discussion of whether kids should be awarded participation trophies. In the passages, “Participation Trophies Send a Dangerous Message” by Betty Berden and “In Youth Sports, Participation Trophies Send a Powerful Message” by Parker Abate, they both discuss juxtaposition sides of the argument whether participants should receive

Finally, kids that are given participation trophies are given the wrong idea. Fifty-seven percent of people said "only winners" deserve to have participation trophies, giving out participation trophies is tantamount to giving kids the wrong praise, and giving kids with bad attitudes and not a care in the world is not a good idea. These kids need to realize that they need

Participation trophies and medals suck. They really do, ask anyone; just not a mother with 4 kids that thinks her children are perfect little angels, and deserve trophies and ribbons for doing absolutely nothing just so they feel like they accomplished something. Participation trophies, take away from the first place winner, and they aren't teaching kids anything. When kids get older they won’t get raises and promotions just for showing up every day. In the real world you don’t get a participation medal.

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.

Reason-Rupe poll, 43 percent of Americans believe that every child should receive a trophy for participation, but the numbers drop with income, education, and age. Although participation trophies can cause unrealistic expectations in children, these trophies raise self-esteem and build a work ethic.

Claim: While others may say that giving participation trophies to kids is good, I disagree. Participation trophies may seem beneficial at first sight as they are encouraging to young athletes and those who participate. However, I feel they are sending the wrong message to young kids. The message is that they don't have to try in any activity and they will still succeed. This eats away at the importance of striving for great accomplishments.

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.

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.

“ ‘The trophy has to stand for something.’ Dr. Carol Dweck told Time For Kids (TFK). ‘If we give a trophy to everyone, then the award has no value.’ “ This quote from the article, “Should Everyone Get a Prize?” by Brenda Iasevoli, shows psychology professor, Carol Dweck explaining why children should not be given participation awards. Dr. Dweck points out that for those who actually deserve a trophy, it won’t mean as much to those individuals.

In America, we have shifted our beliefs on participation trophies. Nowadays, everyone and anyone receives trophies and awards solely for showing up. There is a dramatic split in in our nation as to whether or not participation trophies should be given out among young children. Many argue that giving children these trophies will make them grow up to be lazy and entitled, others say children are too young for the idea that somebody is better than them. I believe that children should receive participation awards, because it teaches kids that having fun is more important than winning, at a young age, children shouldn't be taught that some of their peers are better than them, and contrary to popular belief, I don't believe that participation awards lead to lazy and entitled kids.

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