Participation Trophies Send A Dangerous Message Summary

Despite, outside the protected bubble of childhood, not worthy of an award. These are the foundations of a long path to potential success. A success that is not guaranteed, no matter how much effort Berden puts in. Berden believes that we should change how we reward children, but trophies should not be given out first, second and third, participation should be recognized. As Betty Berden says in short words “there is room for only a select few on the winners’

In the passage “Participation Trophies Send a Dangerous Message” by Betty Berden, she makes a strong claim on why children should not receive participation trophies. People believe that children should not earn participation trophies because it will negatively affect them later in life. In the text it says, “Trophies for all convey an inaccurate and potentially dangerous life message to children: we are all winners”. This explains how the fact that giving participation trophies can affect children overall because it makes them think they deserve awards for basic things. It makes the impact on children to make them believe that they get praise in everything that they do in their life, which causes a rude awakening when they get older.

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” this phrase is a great representation of the problem that children of the world face due to participation trophies. Participation trophies kill the drive of young kids unless they are taught to accept them correctly. Children need to know that these awards should not be a goal.

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.

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

In my essay, I will explain why participating in trophies is not only unnecessary but can also be harmful to their development and understanding of real-world competition. Support 1: The first reason why I believe kids should not get participation trophies is that it builds character. In this generation,

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

Most parents put their kid into an activity knowing that all they will receive in a participation award, to make the kids think that they are amazing and that they did such a good job, but when they really did nothing to even earn a participation award. Eric Priceman once said, “An award is something earned for achievement”

“Rewarding accomplishment is part of the education process, but it needs to be refined properly so everyone understands it” (Priceman). Most people these days take a participation award as a bad thing that they didn’t do good enough, or that they need to grow more in that activity. Some parents tell their kids it’s bad to get a participation award. They also beat them up or get angry that they just participated. When the children become adults, they do that same thing for those children as a ripple effect. This does not help kids see their accomplishment. “ Instead of focusing on everything wrong with a child receiving a participation award, let’s think about what might happen if we never rewarded accomplishment” (Priceman)

Participation awards encourage involvement by recognizing the hard work of everyone involved, which is why they shouldn’t be seen as pity awards that students don’t deserve. By rewarding participation, you applaud the effort and hard work of the deserving winners, but also the hundreds of other competitors who put forth their best effort. Unfortunately, parents like James Harrison don’t understand the purpose or benefit of participation awards, resulting in the stigma around them. James confiscated his son’s award saying that “these trophies will be given back until they EARN a trophy,” and “sometimes your best is not good enough,” but often, your best effort is enough. You’re not always going to be the best, even if you try your hardest, and

The notion of participation awards in childhood activities have raised a spark debate; while awarding each child with a uniform trophy supports equality, what’s there to say about the detrimental effect on motivation if everyone is labeled a winner? The expectation of an award or certificate, in conclusion to any activity, is viewed as a guarantee; often, they serve as the sole motivation point for those uninterested in the activity itself as they’re aware they’ll be a winner regardless. This inflated sense of self-worth brought upon by miniscule awards, most especially participation, leaves children unprepared for adult life as a functioning member of society. While generous in thought, participation awards support a distorted view of reality

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

To imagine it is an accepted fact in this present age that every child possess their own respective talents and proficiency, It should therefore be perceived very pointless to believe that children need to receive meaningless awards for everything they participate in. Awards are frequently given as a compensation for failure. Although failure isn't reasonable ground for and issued award, it is true and often favourably debated that the best awards a child can obtain is bitter teachings from failure the teacher, not awards that aim to numb a brief, and unharmful letdown that may positively actually benefit the child's mind for the future to come. Yet, these useless awards that are still so blatantly issued contain a high potential to deteriorate the attitude and mindset

The question of whether children should all receive participation trophies and awards arises from the minds of many people in today’s society. Winning brings a sort of euphoria and delight to a person. It is understandable that parents want their children

Participation awards are given to everybody, even those who don't attend practices, don’t bother to warm up with the team, and hog the ball on the field. “Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not” (Diller). This quote is saying that we need to make sure kids know that you are not going to progress if you do not put in the work. If kids are not taught this, then they will enter a habit of being able to cheat their way past an obstacle. Participation awards are a prime example of spoiling kids with awards that put them in a bad habit. In an article written by Corey Turner, the author talks about a girl who had a bad attitude about sports, didn’t attend practice, but got a giant trophy at the end. This is an example of what participation awards do to a child’s life experiences. In the future when they get a job, having a bad attitude and not showing up will not earn them a