We as a society have come to believe that everybody should feel good at all times, and no one should be left out. We start with the youth and the "everybody gets a trophy" mentality. Sure, it makes you feel great to get rewarded for doing something great but after having a horrible season, a trophy just seems to add insult to injury.
Now I'm not talking about the 6 year olds who come on to the field and give it their all for the fun of just playing a sport (score should not even be kept at this age, just let the little players find out if they even like the game), but when 13 and 14 year olds expect a trophy for showing up, I draw the line and I believe rightfully so.
What are we teaching our kids?
That no matter if they win or lose in life they should be given a reward? That the …show more content…
We give them the idea that it is OK to "just show up," give just enough effort and that at the end of the day "everybody wins." On the other hand, I understand how heart breaking it is to see a team try its best all season only to end up in last place. I have been there. When this particular team was asked by one parent about trophies, they declined them. They understood the value of a trophy and that they, even though they worked very hard, did not earn one.
Competition is life. The jobs that we have, I am sure that many others applied to have the same position as we are now holding. Not everyone gets the job. Healthy competition and a desire to be the best for a certain reward or job are beneficial in life. The old saying "No points for second place" is true as is Vince Lombardi's famous statement "If it doesn't matter who wins or loses then why do they keep score." We cannot have it both ways. We cannot expect to give away awards to everyone who plays and then expect kids to understand when they grow up that going dancing after losing the Super Bowl is not
Now I'm not talking about the 6 year olds who come on to the field and give it their all for the fun of just playing a sport (score should not even be kept at this age, just let the little players find out if they even like the game), but when 13 and 14 year olds expect a trophy for showing up, I draw the line and I believe rightfully so.
What are we teaching our kids?
That no matter if they win or lose in life they should be given a reward? That the …show more content…
We give them the idea that it is OK to "just show up," give just enough effort and that at the end of the day "everybody wins." On the other hand, I understand how heart breaking it is to see a team try its best all season only to end up in last place. I have been there. When this particular team was asked by one parent about trophies, they declined them. They understood the value of a trophy and that they, even though they worked very hard, did not earn one.
Competition is life. The jobs that we have, I am sure that many others applied to have the same position as we are now holding. Not everyone gets the job. Healthy competition and a desire to be the best for a certain reward or job are beneficial in life. The old saying "No points for second place" is true as is Vince Lombardi's famous statement "If it doesn't matter who wins or loses then why do they keep score." We cannot have it both ways. We cannot expect to give away awards to everyone who plays and then expect kids to understand when they grow up that going dancing after losing the Super Bowl is not