Premium Essay

Participation Trophy

Submitted By
Words 800
Pages 4
Awards for Everyone

Society has made significant changes in the manner in which it treats children involved in competitions. Trophies should convey an individual’s hard work, discipline, success and accomplishments. So why are there so much discussion around it, specifically for children? This phenomenon of giving a trophy for simply showing up is termed “Participation Trophy”. There are proponents who believe that this will bolster children’s confidence and motivate them to persevere. Conversely, opponents consider this practice damaging as it aids in encouraging a sense of entitlement and complacency in children. Vivian Diller’s “Do We All Deserve Gold? Setting Kids Up to Fail” highlights that this perception of all receiving a trophy is …show more content…
In contrast, Lisa Heffernan’s “In Defense of Participation Trophies: Why they Really do teach the Right Value” discusses that awarding children for just participating is beneficial; regardless of their …show more content…
Consequently, in order for these awards to be effective and serve as lifelong lessons the writer suggests that this must be conveyed to children, and explain why they are being celebrated and awarded.
To conclude, both writers make an important point of encouraging and motivating children. They recognize that this is important to their development; However, they disagree giving trophies to everyone. Diller believes that constantly praising children for little or no effort exhibited will negatively impact them. Diller disagrees with this approach, but insists that children should be taught that tenacity, hard work coupled with involvement and teamwork are the defining factors of a successful person. While Heffner believes the opposite to be true. Heffernan differs as she sees trophy giving as important and encourages everyone for just being on the team as trophies aid in boosting children’s self-esteem, as a result, Children should be recognized and rewarded for their efforts regardless of the outcome. Neither writers have clearly given significant study or proof which highlights participation trophy as a detriment to the development of a child into adulthood. Though they have made references neither arguments are convincing; a contributing factor may be

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Essay On Participation Trophies

...Participation trophies have had both a positive and negative effect on children. People believe that participation trophies make children grow up in an entitled generation, expecting awards for every little amount of work they put into anything they do. While others believe it teaches kids lessons, for example, lessons that will help them in the future including the value of commitment, hard work, and skills needed to achieve their goals regardless the outcome. Observations show that parents tend to lean more into one side of the argument, depending on how it affected them or their child. The article by Lisa Heffernan, a TODAY Contributor, was in favor of participation trophies based on how it influenced her hardworking son. The article was effective in providing a strong argument to parents using the emotional support that came from authors and her child's experience....

Words: 638 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Participation Trophys Pros

...Do you think people should get participation trophy’s just for being in the sport? Yes and no, many people will agree and disagree. In this essay, I will be discussing the pros and cons of having a participation trophy. Trophies can have a positive effect on someone more than a negative effect. Having children get participation trophies could be helping them in many ways. Some of those ways would be like getting involved in a new sport. Maybe someone just wants to try a new sport they can do that and still get rewarded for there hard work. Also, getting these trophies will help them build up confidence. If a team is genuinely bad at the sport they love they can also get a trophy s they know they are putting in hard work. If a child feels discouraged the first time playing a sport and doesn’t get any award they will feel more obligated to try someone thing else instead of improving in the sport. Overall having a positive attitude and outlook will help the participating trophies be meaningful....

Words: 481 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Pros And Cons Of Participation Trophies Good

...Are Participation Trophies Good Your team loses every game and at the end of the season you get rewarded. People have been talking about whether participation trophies are good or bad for kids. I stand on the side against participation trophies. There are many reasons why I am against participation trophies. One of them being you don’t need to be rewarded for everything you do. The article Jonathan Fader Ph.D. wrote states that you are more committed by doing a sport out of passion than focusing on results. Instead of a trophy tell them what they did well and what they can improve on. Jonathan Fader also said if you give them stuff for winning it can be harder to deal with a loss. James Harrison from the Pittsburgh Steelers says you should...

Words: 345 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Persuasive Essay On Why Should Everyone Get A Trophy

...Let me take you back to 2008. I’m four, ending my first season of soccer, with a smile stretching from ear to ear plastered on my face. Why? I had gotten a trophy! Little did I know, or care, that we had lost every game that season. Fast-forward to 2014. I’m ten, ending my fourth season of basketball, throwing a temper tantrum. Why? I didn’t get a trophy. Participation trophies have become a tradition in recreational sports that spoils and ruins the competition of sports. Recreational sports organizations shouldn’t give out participation trophies because it loses value if everybody gets one, it increases narcissism and selfishness, and it doesn’t teach good work ethic. Trophies are special because they’re for winners. They lose value if everybody gets one. To start, Brenda Iasevoli, from Time for Kids, has a quote in the article “Should Everyone Get a Trophy?” saying, “‘The trophy has to stand for something,’ Dweck told TFK. ‘If we give a trophy to everyone, then the award has no value.’” Trophies are...

Words: 641 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Youth Athletes Rewards

...Imagine if kids got trophies for eating? According to the "throphies for All" policy, youth athletes are being awarded with particiption trophies, By rewards for everyday receiving rewards for everyday activities, youth athletes will not kknow what to do in the real world. The more trophies given out to youth athletes the less each one means. Buying participation trophies a poor use of scarce funds. However, some parents of youth athletes might think theres nothing wong with giving a throphy to say, "good job." In order to be rewarded, the youth athlete should make a positive impact. By being rewarded for completeing everyday activities, youth athletes will not learn what to expect in the real world. According to "Should Eveyone get a...

Words: 401 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Persuasive Research Paper

...Argumentative Essay “Have we gone trophy-crazy as a society, bestowing trophies on children for almost anything, even just showing up? Are we afraid children will be hurt by losing, so we make everyone a winner? Or are awards an effective way to raise children’s self-esteem and keep them motivated to do better?”(Gonchar). Something that has always crossed my mind is how many participation trophy’s I got as a child, ribbons and prizes for sitting around and not doing much. Why do we give out so many trophies? Will our children end up spoiled and entitled? Unable to be independent and outgoing? I believe that we give out too many trophies to children that do nothing and it encourages them to be entitled, lazy, and unable to be independent....

Words: 481 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Persuasive Essay On Why Should Everyone Get A Trophy

...Should Everyone Get a Trophy In the article “Should Everyone Get a Trophy” it states, “In life, most people are not rewarded for simply doing what’s required. A student doesn't get an A for just going to class. A employee doesn't get a raise for just arriving to work on time. Shouldn’t only the hardest-working or highest performing athletes get accolades?” For the past couple of years there has been a system in sports programs called, “Trophies for all” where everyone gets a trophy even for participating. But should a kid have a trophy to motivate them and not mistakes? Not every age group should be given a trophy for participating because kids need to learn to make mistakes and fail, and it improves kids motivation and makes kids work harder for it....

Words: 493 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Jivaro Indian Tribe Research Paper

...kept as a trophy after they went through the shrinking. The ritual for the head shrinking would take place once a year, where they would barge into people’s homes, killing the oldest male. Not only would they kill the oldest male, they would send a spear through the eldest woman, and then they would take the youngest women, forcing them to be their brides. “In silence the killers bent over him and began to sever the head from the body. A long knife, acquired by barter, speeded up the work. In a few moments the trophy, still warm and bleeding, hung over the murderers' shoulders as they ran swiftly homewards. They hurried, although no one pursued them.” In the book Jivaro: Head-hunters of the Amazon, they described how they would sneak up to enemies and take their lives without even blinking. Another way they would obtain a head for shrinking is in battle with apposing side. The first thing you normally see when looking at these shrunken heads is something long hanging from their mouth. This was either a band of hair or some sort of vine, making it easier for them to carry the head back home, using it as their trophy. “Though trophies of colonial expansion acquired by Euro-Ecuadorians in the Upper Amazon, shrunken heads are presented as trophies of the Shuar Warfare—so museums can present themselves not as collectors of shrunken head humans, but as collectors of tokens of “Shuar Culture.” In this article Steven L. Rubenstein states that most of these so called trophies end up in...

Words: 1963 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Jivaro Indian Tribe Research Paper

...would go through this much work to make sure they did not have a vengeful spirit after them, they later used the heads in many religious ceremonies. Some say that most heads were destroyed, and very little of them were kept as a trophy after they went through the shrinking. The ritual for the head shrinking would take place once a year, where they would barge into people’s homes, killing the oldest male. Not only would they kill the oldest male, they would send a spear through the eldest woman, and then they would take the youngest women, forcing them to be their brides. Another way they would obtain a head for shrinking is in battle with apposing side. The first thing you normally see when looking at these shrunken heads is something long hanging from their mouth. This was either a band of hair or some sort of vine, making it easier for them to carry the head back home, using it as their trophy. “Though trophies of colonial expansion acquired by Euro-Ecuadorians in the Upper Amazon, shrunken heads are presented as trophies of the Shuar Warfare—so museums can present themselves not as collectors of shrunken head humans, but as collectors of tokens of “Shuar Culture.” In this article Steven L. Rubenstein states that most of these so called trophies end up in museums, and some people even give their heads to the museums because they feel uneasy keeping them around. The process of the Tsantsa seems like a very long and precise one. After obtaining their victim’s body, they...

Words: 1233 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Appreciate

...I’m an outgoing high school student whom resides in Austin Minnesota, home town of Hormel and its most famous SPAM. As anyone can tell you,I am known by my super friendly personality, never quite attitude and selflessness. I am passionate about everything I decide to participate in and I am determined to learn & grow to be the best Ms. Junior Teen Minnesota ever. I happily accepted to participate in this great experience knowing it will teach me lifelong skills to be successful in my career and in life. Besides trophies and winning prizes, scholarships, cash and awards, I will gain self-confidence to face the public, courage to tackle life's trials as well as a positive self-image. I feel the whole N.A.M. experience will assist me in developing and expanding on ideas about who I am and what I want to achieve in life. My participation in this pageant will give me a competitive career edge for succeed later in whatever path I may choose. I look forward to creating memories that will last a lifetime and it is very likely I will meet friends that will be cherished for years to come! I am very excited and ready to have fun while building valuable life skills! All we ask for is 48$, if you donate more it would be greatly appreciated. Please, support me and my dreams of being a winner.Your sponsorship in this rare opportunity REVs UP excitement and gives energy to my goal of a State Crowning and a National Pageant invitation. We will be listing all sponsors in conjunction with all...

Words: 292 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Classroom Management Task 2

...An in-class activity I would have my students participate in would a warm-up activity for the beginning of the class period. Some of the reasons that I would have my students do a warm-up activity are that it helps get the students to start thinking about the subject and begin to focus on it. This will help the students make their transition mentally from their last class to my class. I would also use the warm-up as a way to set the tone for the upcoming lesson, like a building block to get their thought process going in the right direction for the day. Most importantly, I would use the warm-up to allow myself to assess the student’s attitude and ability for the day to help me determine the best way for to form groups for other activities for the day. A behavioral expectation that I would have for my students for the warm-up activity is that they would have their materials (ex. Pencil and paper) out on their desk ready to begin the warm-up after the bell rings. Another behavioral expectation I would have of my students for the warm-up activity that before they begin the activity, they take time to reflect on the prompts I gave them for the assignment and begin to work quietly and individually. An evaluation method I would use to ensure that my students have an understanding of my behavioral expectations is to have a poster up on my wall that is a reminder of the classroom expectations and pointed out to the students who are not working on the warm-up. The classroom expectations...

Words: 1161 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Methodology

...of the work place and noise is taken into the checklist of problems that is observed. Each factor is observed and the risk is graded in three levels. No problem: conditions are acceptable and there is no need for preventative actions. Slight problem: cold related problems are found that impairs the conditions at the workplace. Effects however are judged as slight to moderate and corrective actions and not immediately required. The research was carried out in a large and modern freeze dry coffee factory in Colombia, located at an elevation of 1360m and with an average temperature of 26®c. The descriptive study was based on all twenty four (24) workers performing tasks inside three cold stores. All the workers were male and the participation research was voluntary. The informed consent to participate in the study. The participants completed a standardized questionnaire on paid work time. One of the researchers explained the questionnaire individually to each worker. The response required anonomosity and no company officer was present in the dissemination and completion of the questionnaire. The specific symptoms inquired in the questionnaire were about pain, ache or discomfort in specified body parts during the preceding year and during the seven (7) days thereafter. The questionnaire also inquired whether the symptoms suffered prevented the individual from doing his normal routine of work. This included demographic items such as age and gender, ethnicity as well as questions...

Words: 300 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Outline and Evaluate One or More Explinations of Why People Obey

...Outline and evaluate one or more explanations of why people obey. One of the main reasons that people obey is the feeling of relinquishing personal responsibility. During the course of Milgram’s experiment, many participants enquired about responsibility; who would be to blame if any harm came to the learner? In many cases, informing the participant that the experimenter was completely responsible was reassurance enough to encourage the participants to continue with the deadly electric shocks. In many cases, where harm has come to someone as a result of obedience, the perpetrators have justified their actions by the lack of responsibility. The participants most likely to obey are those who feel they have relinquished personal responsibility to an authoritative figure, and obedience levels are often diminished when the rate of personal responsibility has increased. It has also been suggested that obedience levels drop radically when participants are informed that they must accept full responsibility for their actions. One way that we can prove that this is the case, is by looking at variations of Milgram’s experiment. In the initial experiment, the ‘teacher’ could not see the pain that they were supposedly inflicting on the ‘learner,’ only hear them. They felt responsible when they heard the cries of anguish, but as the experimenter had accepted responsibility, many people continued administering the shocks. However, in a similar experiment where the ‘learner’ was in the room...

Words: 939 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Critique of Acute Affective Response to a Moderate-Intensity Exercise Stimulus Predicts Physical Activity Participation 6 and 12 Months Later

...David M. Williams, Shira Dunsiger, Joseph T. Ciccolo, Beth A. Lewis, Anna E. Albrecht, and Bess H. Marcus Psychol Sport Exerc. 2008 May ; 9(3): 231–245. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2007.04.002. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2390920/pdf/nihms42341.pdf The purpose of the study was to see if there is a connection between a person’s emotional response to moderate physical exertion and their likelihood of that person continuing to be an active person later. The study was conducted using mostly white female participants who were considered to be sedentary. They were given a grading scale by which to quantitatively express their personal sensation as well as their level of perceived exertion. The participants were placed on a treadmill and worked until their heart rate was 65% of the target rate for each participant according to age. They were then surveyed 6 and 12 months later. The study found that participant who had a positive response to the original bout of physical activity were more likely to be physically active 6 and 12 months later. The authors acknowledged many limitations of this study such as small sample size and the use of age predicted heart rate expectations. The use of a survey may lead to sketchy results also. The results and the discussion were consistent due to the fact that the authors made no wide spread claims resulting from the data acquired during this study. This study implies to me that if physical activity was more fun and less suffering...

Words: 303 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Bio of Learnign Team C

...LEARNING TEAM CHARTER – TEAM “C” |Course Title |Critical Thinking | | | | | | | | | | | Team Members/Contact Information |Name | |Phone | |Time zone and | |Email | | | | | |Availability During the Week | | | |Sonia Thompson | |434-917-3212 | |Eastern time zone/mon and wed anytime/other days before | |sgrimmt@yahoo.com | | | | | |3pm and after 10 pm | | | |Jenny R. Jackson | |770-254-1703 | |Pacific Time Zone/ Monday thru Friday 4 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.| |jrj3615@yahoo.com | |James Patton | |412-609-3980 | |Eastern always available | |Jpatton.412@gmail.com | | | | | | ...

Words: 438 - Pages: 2