Why Do Participation Rewards Become Successful?

No More Participation Trophies!

Participation trophies are the prized possessions of younger children, right? Are these items a sign of achievement? To some of the children that do receive the trophies, they mean the world to each and every one of them, but do they send the right message? The controversy over whether participation trophies is huge. These trophies should not be given out. Participation trophies take away the true meaning of sports and hide children from reality.
To begin with, the true meaning behind sports is hidden from participation trophies. The website, mercurynews.com, says children learn more from losing than winning. The lesson that everyone is not a winner is taught to young children. Participation trophies do not
help children who realize that everyone in the league received the same exact item.
The “trophy” loses meaning if they are given out just like party favors. This does not boost children’s self esteem. Those who learn to lose early in life will go farther in sports than others who are told that everyone's a winner (Berdan). Many children who put in the most effort will think their effort is not recognized if every other kid on their team receives the same trophy. In this case, the child’s self esteem is lowered by the trophy rather than raised. If a child is always taught that everyone's a winner their motivation to improve will be lost (Sanborn). Motivation in sports is key. “Motivation helps an individual reach their goals,” says Natalie Cook. A child should know how to pick themselves up after failure. Many believe participation trophies help children with confidence (Ross). They believe that the trophies only boost a child’s confidence, when in fact, these trophies do the exact opposite. Participation trophies only lie to the faces of children. They send a message
that “everyone's a winner.” This message is very dangerous because it does not prepare these children for their future in sports. A child who is taught this bad message would most likely quit if they are not recognized for their work. A child who was taught that not all people who work hard are winners, would most likely have the motivation to improve and make it far in athletics (Krumrie). Lastly, children learn more from losing in sports and get the motivation they need to improve.
In addition, children are not exposed to reality if they are given participation trophies.
Participation trophies will convince children that they will be rewarded for simple completions in life (Berdan). They will expect an award for something as little as showing up for work, or completing a homework assignment. If a child expects awards for these little things, it will affect their future. They will not have motivation. They will not know how to pick themselves up. The most important message in life will never be learned by any child if participation trophies are continued to be given out. Success can come from failure (Ross). How will children of upcoming generations learn this important message if they are being rewarded for simple tasks? The truth is, they will not learn this message. One parent, also a 5 time Pro Bowl player, took away his children’s participation trophies. James Harrison wanted his children to “grow up like men” and wanted them to learn “‘their best’ shouldn’t entitle them” (Ross). Teaching his children this lesson will make them strive to work harder to achieve their goals. One may think that these participation trophies do not convince children that they will always succeed, and that they will support a child will little confidence (Ross). Will a trophy that every other child that participated received give confidence to another child? The trophy is nothing more than a party favor, every child gets one (Berdan). The mindset of a child who has
motivation and willingness to work hard is much better than one who believes they will always win. To conclude, one will not always succeed, but those who work hard will continue to strive to reach success.
Consequently, Participation trophies should not be given out because they hide children from reality, and they hide the true meaning behind sports. In the future, children will not be prepared, nor will they be motivated. Participation trophies cause children to expect rewards for little achievements in life. They will expect awards for showing up for work, or even for attending school. To add on, they will not have motivation because participation trophies will make children believe they do not have to work hard to earn things in life. Take away your children’s participation trophies, or educate others on this topic! Our future depends on the upcoming generations, and nobody wants them to be unprepared! Overall, participation trophies only have negative effects and will hurt our society.