Participation Trophys: The Best Or The Rest

The Best or the Rest
Many children, regarding their talents, will participate in sporting events. Alayna is only 7 years old, and she has been playing softball for the past two years. Her coach was recently put into a predicament when Alayna’s team did not win the championship game this year. Her coach saw how hurt Alayna and her teammates were when they did not receive a trophy, so he and the other team’s coaches came up with the idea to give out participation trophies. Some parents were in favor of participation trophies, and others absolutely hated the idea. Many people have a strong opinion when it comes to participation trophies; in order for there to be peace for everyone, a compromise must take place.
People who feel like participation
When everyone receives a trophy for just participating, it makes it harder for a child to understand why they do not always receive trophies or some type of reward in real life. Participation trophies also act as a disincentive towards some children who put in a lot of time and hard work to become good at a certain thing. They become discouraged when they see those who do not work as hard as them receiving a trophy for doing the bare minimum. Receiving participation trophies does not give a child any room to make mistakes and learn from them in life. The trophies teach them that even when they mess up and make mistakes they are still going to be rewarded for their mistakes. Participation trophies have the potential to kill the competitive nature of children. Sports are known to reveal character, but mainly by providing fierce competition with wins and losses. Without that competitive nature, young men and women may never be pushed into becoming successful, hardworking members of society. The excitement and feeling of accomplishing a major goal does not come from receiving a trophy, or someone else telling them that they are proud of them for doing their best. That moment of excitement and the accomplished feeling comes from beating the best of the best and from knowing that their hard work and dedication has paid
One way to ensure that everyone is happy is by putting an age limit on participation trophies; only letting small children receive them. From young ages the goal is to help children fall in love with whatever sport they are playing and to make them want to keep playing. There should be certain age to separate the weak from the strong, but it shouldn’t be before they are old enough to make decisions and see what their interests are on their own. This is why there should be an age limit on participation trophies. If parents are still not pleased, another way to ensure that everyone is happy is by only giving out 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies. Other participants should be recognized with encouraging words, not a trophy. This is to ensure that everyone is acknowledged for their dedication to the