Analysis: Should Kids Get A Trophy For Showing Off

Growing up, children go to school and the majority participate in various sports and activities. It gives students something to look forward to, occupy their time, and become more well rounded individuals. The common theme of being involved in these areas is of course doing it to have fun. That is why so much heart and dedication is put forth in efforts to excel; the love of the select extra curricular activity. However, there are questions about the final end reward and whether participation trophies need to be implemented. Varying opinions have been proposed on this subject. Corey Turner from the NPR Ed states both sides to the argument in the short article, "Should Kids Get A Trophy For Showing Up?" Although both sides have valid arguments,
The numbers say it all. Trophy and award sales are now an estimated $3 billion-a-year industry in the United States. This number is calculated with most schools not giving out participation trophies. If every child received a trophy, this country could very well go broke; even more than it already has. The numbers of kids in activities versus students who are not involved in at least one activity is extremely high. Active students are not in the minority during elementary school as parents push their kids to get involved and figure out likes and dislikes. The argument could be valid as awards are already a huge expense, yet that does not have to include trophies specifically. Certificates of participation, in other words paper, are plenty to give a student pride in their
It is plain and simple. Having this implemented in schools would set children up for failing at life. Nothing in life comes easy as everything of higher levels take extensive amount of time and effort to achieve. A promotion in a job is not handed to you. If hard work is not implemented and installed in children when they are young, they will think everything is just given to them. Awards will be given throughout life and if students are trained young that they always “win,” they will be set up for disappointment. In Corey Turner’s evaluation on this subject, a statement was made that explained, “Her daughter rarely showed up for her soccer team. She had a terrible attitude. At the end she got a giant trophy and would have been devastated had she not.” This kind of attitude will have an extremely harmful effect on most children if they are raised in that atmosphere. Giving out awards for everyone will not prepare children for life and it would depreciate the actual value of the recipient of the award itself; therefore an environment of no one working hard will be the