Young Athletes: Should They Deserve A Reward?

Why is society teaching the youth today that lack of effort deserves a reward? At what age should a child be taught that hard work and extra effort not only lead to reward, but also to a greater sense of pride and accomplishment? By the time a child reaches the age of eight, he or she should be taught that participation, or “Just Show Up,” trophies are a thing of the past. Children must understand that life does not give participation rewards for just being a part of the team. This culture of participation rewards has created a generation of young people with a sense of entitlement that they have neither earned nor deserved. Self-esteem is a very important factor in a person’s life; however, parents often stand in the way of greater character development trying to salvage their child’s self-esteem rather than teach that success should be judged by a job well done.
When an adult interviews for a job, there is an understanding that appropriate dress, good grooming, and a depth of knowledge or ability will be required in order to obtain the position. A college …show more content…
Giving the child that is not as athletic a trophy often increases interest and excitement. Consequently, child obesity is a growing problem in America, this could be the only recreation many children receive. Furthermore, a team also creates a sense of belonging. A team quickly becomes a group of friends with whom the child will continue to build relationships throughout the course of his or her life. Participating in youth sports is helpful for individuals that struggle to make friends. Athletics help teach kids about discipline; therefore, if the child stays interested, he or she will learn important life lessons. Therefore, in certain situations up until an appropriate age, participation trophies serve a purpose to encourage and motivate young