Trophies or awards just for participation and Is it damaging the youth of today?

124678

Comments

  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954
    edited August 2015
    FWIW, I wasn't thinking about participation ribbons. The issue goes WAY beyond that now, to the point where some schools won't even fail students who fail. Yes, participation ribbons have always been around on Sports Day.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • MayDay10MayDay10 Posts: 11,727
    School. Yes I agree. It should be taken seriously and every student should be pushed to do their best. 2nd grade graduation ceremonies are lame.
  • We got a team photo to commemerate being on the team. No trophies except for 1st through 3rd place. I don't think this has anything to do with right wing or left wing but is a bunch of parents thinking their kids are special and rewarding them for that feeling. This is the same as the parents who post every little thing on facebook showing the world how special their kids are. Rewards are earned. Its common sense. When you are training your dog do you reward them when they didn't do it right? No you don't, otherwise the dog doesn't learn. If you want to give a most improved trophy to the kid who practiced the hardest and got better great. If you want to give a trophy for the kid that best showed sportsmanship fine. But you earn it just like in real life. No one is going to just go and hand you things. You work for them.
    Tom Brady & Donald Trump, BFF's
    Fuckus rules all
    Rob
    Seattle
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524

    We got a team photo to commemerate being on the team. No trophies except for 1st through 3rd place. I don't think this has anything to do with right wing or left wing but is a bunch of parents thinking their kids are special and rewarding them for that feeling. This is the same as the parents who post every little thing on facebook showing the world how special their kids are. Rewards are earned. Its common sense. When you are training your dog do you reward them when they didn't do it right? No you don't, otherwise the dog doesn't learn. If you want to give a most improved trophy to the kid who practiced the hardest and got better great. If you want to give a trophy for the kid that best showed sportsmanship fine. But you earn it just like in real life. No one is going to just go and hand you things. You work for them.

    :clap:
  • g under pg under p Posts: 18,196
    In my day we had no such thing as partIcipating trophies or ribbons or medals. Back then never knew of such things we would go home heal our wounds and come back the next year more determine to win something.

    I could possibly see giving out participating awards up to a certain age say 6-8. To build some youth vigor and self esteem...not all will grow to become an athlete or high school player much less a pro athlete. After that, it's around the time to earn those awards and the effort to practice hard to make that difference to get ahead one's opponents.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • A team experience is not about trophies. It's about selflessness. The truly valuable rewards are supposed to be intrinsic and parents and coaches should be emphasizing this. If a kid is exceptional and wins an award... their teammates should genuinely feel good for them- not envious of their success.

    I have no problem with Harrison's approach with setting high standards for his children. Too many people set the bar pathetically low for their children and make all kinds of excuses for their children when they fail at something instead of teaching their kids valuable things like resilience and persistence.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    Yes, Thirty! Also teaching children that they will (must?) fail at some or even many times - but to try to do so with grace, and learn from the experiences.
  • SmellymanSmellyman Posts: 4,524
    Nice job loser!

    image
  • SmellymanSmellyman Posts: 4,524
    edited August 2015
    you know what is bad for kids, tablets, phones, tv, netflix, hulu, constant movies playing in cars, at home, standing.....playstations, xboxs, dressing like little GQ models (remember when one tshirt and one pair of shorts lasted you a summer) So many bullshit things. Not to mention the truly fucked up issues like school shootings, wars, pedo's, etc.

    You know what is not bad for kids? getting a freaking particiaption ribbon/certificate/trophy for actually doing things......


    get a grip people. You are not tough as nails now because as a youth you weren't coddled with a freaking ribbon.
    Post edited by Smellyman on
  • Leezestarr313Leezestarr313 Posts: 14,352
    edited August 2015
    I don't get it. I have seen that American kids get trohpies for everything. "Graduating" kindergarden. For real?! There is a generation growing that will expect rewards for everything. I don't have kids. If I had, I would let them know that they make me proud if they achieve something. But reward them for every fucking thing? I think this is raising a generation of people who are not able to survive in the world of today. Supporting kids is good and needed. But a reward for everything? Not, in my opinion. Helicopter parenting is selfish and not good parenting at all. In my humble opinion as someone who did not grow up with rewards for everything, but still turned into a decent human being. My pet peeve is also the overuse of "you deserve it".
    Post edited by Leezestarr313 on
  • Smellyman said:

    you know what is bad for kids, tablets, phones, tv, netflix, hulu, constant movies playing in cars, at home, standing.....playstations, xboxs, dressing like little GQ models (remember when one tshirt and one pair of shorts lasted you a summer) So many bullshit things. Not to mention the truly fucked up issues like school shootings, wars, pedo's, etc.

    You know what is not bad for kids? getting a freaking particiaption ribbon/certificate/trophy for actually doing things......


    get a grip people. You are not tough as nails now because as a youth you weren't coddled with a freaking ribbon.

    Having a parent say, "I'm so proud of you" trumps a trophy anytime.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Posts: 16,440

    There is a generation growing that will expect rewards for everything.

    Bingo!
  • SmellymanSmellyman Posts: 4,524

    Smellyman said:

    you know what is bad for kids, tablets, phones, tv, netflix, hulu, constant movies playing in cars, at home, standing.....playstations, xboxs, dressing like little GQ models (remember when one tshirt and one pair of shorts lasted you a summer) So many bullshit things. Not to mention the truly fucked up issues like school shootings, wars, pedo's, etc.

    You know what is not bad for kids? getting a freaking particiaption ribbon/certificate/trophy for actually doing things......


    get a grip people. You are not tough as nails now because as a youth you weren't coddled with a freaking ribbon.

    Having a parent say, "I'm so proud of you" trumps a trophy anytime.
    so that doesn't happen if they get a trophy? It's not an either/or thing.
  • There is a generation growing that will expect rewards for everything.

    Bingo!
    Those trophies are for the parents. An ice cream cone would generate just as big a smile on that kid 4 posts above as that trophy did.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • Smellyman said:

    Smellyman said:

    you know what is bad for kids, tablets, phones, tv, netflix, hulu, constant movies playing in cars, at home, standing.....playstations, xboxs, dressing like little GQ models (remember when one tshirt and one pair of shorts lasted you a summer) So many bullshit things. Not to mention the truly fucked up issues like school shootings, wars, pedo's, etc.

    You know what is not bad for kids? getting a freaking particiaption ribbon/certificate/trophy for actually doing things......


    get a grip people. You are not tough as nails now because as a youth you weren't coddled with a freaking ribbon.

    Having a parent say, "I'm so proud of you" trumps a trophy anytime.
    so that doesn't happen if they get a trophy? It's not an either/or thing.
    You're missing the point. It's not about trophies.

    The rewards for 'participation' are inherent in a well structured sporting experience. Trophies make praise, support and encouragement cheap and meaningless in my mind.
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • SmellymanSmellyman Posts: 4,524

    Smellyman said:

    Smellyman said:

    you know what is bad for kids, tablets, phones, tv, netflix, hulu, constant movies playing in cars, at home, standing.....playstations, xboxs, dressing like little GQ models (remember when one tshirt and one pair of shorts lasted you a summer) So many bullshit things. Not to mention the truly fucked up issues like school shootings, wars, pedo's, etc.

    You know what is not bad for kids? getting a freaking particiaption ribbon/certificate/trophy for actually doing things......


    get a grip people. You are not tough as nails now because as a youth you weren't coddled with a freaking ribbon.

    Having a parent say, "I'm so proud of you" trumps a trophy anytime.
    so that doesn't happen if they get a trophy? It's not an either/or thing.
    You're missing the point. It's not about trophies.

    The rewards for 'participation' are inherent in a well structured sporting experience. Trophies make praise, support and encouragement cheap and meaningless in my mind.
    Thanks for the praise Dad....I guess......but I already got a ribbon.
  • Smellyman said:

    Smellyman said:

    Smellyman said:

    you know what is bad for kids, tablets, phones, tv, netflix, hulu, constant movies playing in cars, at home, standing.....playstations, xboxs, dressing like little GQ models (remember when one tshirt and one pair of shorts lasted you a summer) So many bullshit things. Not to mention the truly fucked up issues like school shootings, wars, pedo's, etc.

    You know what is not bad for kids? getting a freaking particiaption ribbon/certificate/trophy for actually doing things......


    get a grip people. You are not tough as nails now because as a youth you weren't coddled with a freaking ribbon.

    Having a parent say, "I'm so proud of you" trumps a trophy anytime.
    so that doesn't happen if they get a trophy? It's not an either/or thing.
    You're missing the point. It's not about trophies.

    The rewards for 'participation' are inherent in a well structured sporting experience. Trophies make praise, support and encouragement cheap and meaningless in my mind.
    Thanks for the praise Dad....I guess......but I already got a ribbon.
    Thanks for the praise Dad... but where's my trophy?
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • SmellymanSmellyman Posts: 4,524

    Smellyman said:

    Smellyman said:

    Smellyman said:

    you know what is bad for kids, tablets, phones, tv, netflix, hulu, constant movies playing in cars, at home, standing.....playstations, xboxs, dressing like little GQ models (remember when one tshirt and one pair of shorts lasted you a summer) So many bullshit things. Not to mention the truly fucked up issues like school shootings, wars, pedo's, etc.

    You know what is not bad for kids? getting a freaking particiaption ribbon/certificate/trophy for actually doing things......


    get a grip people. You are not tough as nails now because as a youth you weren't coddled with a freaking ribbon.

    Having a parent say, "I'm so proud of you" trumps a trophy anytime.
    so that doesn't happen if they get a trophy? It's not an either/or thing.
    You're missing the point. It's not about trophies.

    The rewards for 'participation' are inherent in a well structured sporting experience. Trophies make praise, support and encouragement cheap and meaningless in my mind.
    Thanks for the praise Dad....I guess......but I already got a ribbon.
    Thanks for the praise Dad... but where's my trophy?
    Thanks for the praise dad......crap, he's out getting drunk again and banging hookers.
  • Smellyman said:

    Smellyman said:

    Smellyman said:

    Smellyman said:

    you know what is bad for kids, tablets, phones, tv, netflix, hulu, constant movies playing in cars, at home, standing.....playstations, xboxs, dressing like little GQ models (remember when one tshirt and one pair of shorts lasted you a summer) So many bullshit things. Not to mention the truly fucked up issues like school shootings, wars, pedo's, etc.

    You know what is not bad for kids? getting a freaking particiaption ribbon/certificate/trophy for actually doing things......


    get a grip people. You are not tough as nails now because as a youth you weren't coddled with a freaking ribbon.

    Having a parent say, "I'm so proud of you" trumps a trophy anytime.
    so that doesn't happen if they get a trophy? It's not an either/or thing.
    You're missing the point. It's not about trophies.

    The rewards for 'participation' are inherent in a well structured sporting experience. Trophies make praise, support and encouragement cheap and meaningless in my mind.
    Thanks for the praise Dad....I guess......but I already got a ribbon.
    Thanks for the praise Dad... but where's my trophy?
    Thanks for the praise dad......crap, he's out getting drunk again and banging hookers.
    Huh?

    I'm not sure how this scenario supports what you are asserting... or debunks what I am saying?
    "My brain's a good brain!"
  • oftenreadingoftenreading Posts: 12,845
    Wow, I leave for work in the morning, no thread; come back after work, 4 pages.

    I tend to agree with those who think it's a lesser issue than many other issues out there. The youngest kids, who would be more likely to get a participation ribbon or trophy, don't know or care about much about it anyway. How many on here have watched early school aged kids play a team sport? For those who haven't, it's painfully funny. They're never looking in the right direction, one kid is waving at his mom, and another has gotten tired and is lying down on the field. Once they get old enough to care about putting effort into winning, they all know who is winning and who is losing, regardless of whether they get a trophy or not. The presence of participation trophies won't make the kids who are keen any less keen, but it also won't make the ones who don't care about it any more interested. Some kids are good at sports and love it, but some kids just aren't; those are the ones who we should encourage into the rec. leagues in the hope that they will stay active and healthy. Sports certainly isn't the only arena that teaches perseverance, and I think it's foolish to think that just because your kid isn't a driven athlete they will grow up to be a "loser" who doesn't know the meaning of working hard toward a goal.

    As for school and the idea that "some schools won't even fail kids who fail"; it's called social promotion, and believe it or not it can actually lead to better academic performance. Some of us may be old enough to remember the one or two guys in elementary school who had been held back and who consequently were a year or two older than everybody else. Even though they were bigger, they usually got teased because they stuck out; everyone knew they had failed. If you instead promote these kids through to the next grade and give more educational support, they're more likely to stay in school and get further in their education, but if you don't, they generally drop out early on. It's not perfect, and the rubber really hits the road in the upper high school grades; there, if you fail a class, you fail it.

    Rather than the trophy issue, I personally think that the over-protectiveness stemming from the wildly overblown fear of child abduction/sexual assault is the more serious problem. So many previously normative experiences and healthy risks are now prohibited for most kids, all in the name of "safety". In turn, we have fearful kids with fewer life skills and who are at far higher risk of harm because we drive them everywhere.
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • SmellymanSmellyman Posts: 4,524

    Smellyman said:

    Smellyman said:

    Smellyman said:

    Smellyman said:

    you know what is bad for kids, tablets, phones, tv, netflix, hulu, constant movies playing in cars, at home, standing.....playstations, xboxs, dressing like little GQ models (remember when one tshirt and one pair of shorts lasted you a summer) So many bullshit things. Not to mention the truly fucked up issues like school shootings, wars, pedo's, etc.

    You know what is not bad for kids? getting a freaking particiaption ribbon/certificate/trophy for actually doing things......


    get a grip people. You are not tough as nails now because as a youth you weren't coddled with a freaking ribbon.

    Having a parent say, "I'm so proud of you" trumps a trophy anytime.
    so that doesn't happen if they get a trophy? It's not an either/or thing.
    You're missing the point. It's not about trophies.

    The rewards for 'participation' are inherent in a well structured sporting experience. Trophies make praise, support and encouragement cheap and meaningless in my mind.
    Thanks for the praise Dad....I guess......but I already got a ribbon.
    Thanks for the praise Dad... but where's my trophy?
    Thanks for the praise dad......crap, he's out getting drunk again and banging hookers.
    Huh?

    I'm not sure how this scenario supports what you are asserting... or debunks what I am saying?
    some kids have dads out getting drunk and banging hookers and get no praise. I thought it was a simple concept.
  • SmellymanSmellyman Posts: 4,524

    Wow, I leave for work in the morning, no thread; come back after work, 4 pages.

    I tend to agree with those who think it's a lesser issue than many other issues out there. The youngest kids, who would be more likely to get a participation ribbon or trophy, don't know or care about much about it anyway. How many on here have watched early school aged kids play a team sport? For those who haven't, it's painfully funny. They're never looking in the right direction, one kid is waving at his mom, and another has gotten tired and is lying down on the field. Once they get old enough to care about putting effort into winning, they all know who is winning and who is losing, regardless of whether they get a trophy or not. The presence of participation trophies won't make the kids who are keen any less keen, but it also won't make the ones who don't care about it any more interested. Some kids are good at sports and love it, but some kids just aren't; those are the ones who we should encourage into the rec. leagues in the hope that they will stay active and healthy. Sports certainly isn't the only arena that teaches perseverance, and I think it's foolish to think that just because your kid isn't a driven athlete they will grow up to be a "loser" who doesn't know the meaning of working hard toward a goal.

    As for school and the idea that "some schools won't even fail kids who fail"; it's called social promotion, and believe it or not it can actually lead to better academic performance. Some of us may be old enough to remember the one or two guys in elementary school who had been held back and who consequently were a year or two older than everybody else. Even though they were bigger, they usually got teased because they stuck out; everyone knew they had failed. If you instead promote these kids through to the next grade and give more educational support, they're more likely to stay in school and get further in their education, but if you don't, they generally drop out early on. It's not perfect, and the rubber really hits the road in the upper high school grades; there, if you fail a class, you fail it.

    Rather than the trophy issue, I personally think that the over-protectiveness stemming from the wildly overblown fear of child abduction/sexual assault is the more serious problem. So many previously normative experiences and healthy risks are now prohibited for most kids, all in the name of "safety". In turn, we have fearful kids with fewer life skills and who are at far higher risk of harm because we drive them everywhere.

    Nice

    summed up better than me and much less dickish than me. :)
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Posts: 20,275
    Smellyman said:

    you know what is bad for kids, tablets, phones, tv, netflix, hulu, constant movies playing in cars, at home, standing.....playstations, xboxs, dressing like little GQ models (remember when one tshirt and one pair of shorts lasted you a summer) So many bullshit things. Not to mention the truly fucked up issues like school shootings, wars, pedo's, etc.

    You know what is not bad for kids? getting a freaking particiaption ribbon/certificate/trophy for actually doing things......


    get a grip people. You are not tough as nails now because as a youth you weren't coddled with a freaking ribbon.

    You just won this argument. Time to close this thread.
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)
    The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana
  • callencallen Posts: 6,388
    edited August 2015
    gri
    MayDay10 said:

    School. Yes I agree. It should be taken seriously and every student should be pushed to do their best. 2nd grade graduation ceremonies are lame.

    Word.

    Kids are coddled too much.

    Insecure bored parents use their kids for self worth.

    Participation ribbons are fine.

    Good to have winners receive the big trophy and other team not. Good to loose. In sports your uniform is the participation ribbon.

    There are others that don't use face book? Yeay!!!!
    10-18-2000 Houston, 04-06-2003 Houston, 6-25-2003 Toronto, 10-8-2004 Kissimmee, 9-4-2005 Calgary, 12-3-05 Sao Paulo, 7-2-2006 Denver, 7-22-06 Gorge, 7-23-2006 Gorge, 9-13-2006 Bern, 6-22-2008 DC, 6-24-2008 MSG, 6-25-2008 MSG
  • Gern BlanstenGern Blansten Posts: 20,275

    Smellyman said:

    Smellyman said:

    you know what is bad for kids, tablets, phones, tv, netflix, hulu, constant movies playing in cars, at home, standing.....playstations, xboxs, dressing like little GQ models (remember when one tshirt and one pair of shorts lasted you a summer) So many bullshit things. Not to mention the truly fucked up issues like school shootings, wars, pedo's, etc.

    You know what is not bad for kids? getting a freaking particiaption ribbon/certificate/trophy for actually doing things......


    get a grip people. You are not tough as nails now because as a youth you weren't coddled with a freaking ribbon.

    Having a parent say, "I'm so proud of you" trumps a trophy anytime.
    so that doesn't happen if they get a trophy? It's not an either/or thing.
    You're missing the point. It's not about trophies.

    The rewards for 'participation' are inherent in a well structured sporting experience. Trophies make praise, support and encouragement cheap and meaningless in my mind.
    I have four kids...all have played rec/club/travel sports. I can tell you without reservation that the trophies received for participation were meaningless. After a few years the trophies received for championships become meaningless as well.
    Remember the Thomas Nine !! (10/02/2018)
    The Golden Age is 2 months away. And guess what….. you’re gonna love it! (teskeinc 11.19.24)

    1998: Noblesville; 2003: Noblesville; 2009: EV Nashville, Chicago, Chicago
    2010: St Louis, Columbus, Noblesville; 2011: EV Chicago, East Troy, East Troy
    2013: London ON, Wrigley; 2014: Cincy, St Louis, Moline (NO CODE)
    2016: Lexington, Wrigley #1; 2018: Wrigley, Wrigley, Boston, Boston
    2020: Oakland, Oakland:  2021: EV Ohana, Ohana, Ohana, Ohana
    2022: Oakland, Oakland, Nashville, Louisville; 2023: Chicago, Chicago, Noblesville
    2024: Noblesville, Wrigley, Wrigley, Ohana, Ohana
  • Godfather.Godfather. Posts: 12,504
    I just took a look at this thread but here's my take on it, my son raced BMX for 10+ years so I've seen a lot of participation awards handed out to kids and the thrill of getting one always brings a smile to thier faces, it gives them a feeling that "hay I can do this" and it helps to build thier self esteam so you parents out there that have young kids you should encourage them to believe they earned that ribbin or trophy because these little moments are building blocks to thier future and how they feel about themselfs and it helps them to understand that if they try and do thier best there is nothing they can't do, it's all about confedance in them selfs.

    Godfather.
  • Cliffy6745Cliffy6745 Posts: 33,840
    edited August 2015
    Glad to see we are taking parenting advice from someone who hit the mother of his child.

    My take. Who cares if 7 year olds get 3 inch trophies of participating. The winners always got bigger ones, so it wasn't like there wasn't a sense of competition or rewards for winning. It also stops at some point. I got trophies for participation in my YMCA basketball league when i was like 8. By the time I was playing competitively, no one is getting participation trophies.

    This conversation always seems like an old "get off my lawn" conversation.

    Edit: I also can't imagine parents caring all that much about winning for kids playing sports from 7-10.
    Post edited by Cliffy6745 on
  • SmellymanSmellyman Posts: 4,524

    I just took a look at this thread but here's my take on it, my son raced BMX for 10+ years so I've seen a lot of participation awards handed out to kids and the thrill of getting one always brings a smile to thier faces, it gives them a feeling that "hay I can do this" and it helps to build thier self esteam so you parents out there that have young kids you should encourage them to believe they earned that ribbin or trophy because these little moments are building blocks to thier future and how they feel about themselfs and it helps them to understand that if they try and do thier best there is nothing they can't do, it's all about confedance in them selfs.

    Godfather.

    I will remember the 18th of August. The day The Godfather and I agree. :)
  • oftenreadingoftenreading Posts: 12,845
    Smellyman said:

    I just took a look at this thread but here's my take on it, my son raced BMX for 10+ years so I've seen a lot of participation awards handed out to kids and the thrill of getting one always brings a smile to thier faces, it gives them a feeling that "hay I can do this" and it helps to build thier self esteam so you parents out there that have young kids you should encourage them to believe they earned that ribbin or trophy because these little moments are building blocks to thier future and how they feel about themselfs and it helps them to understand that if they try and do thier best there is nothing they can't do, it's all about confedance in them selfs.

    Godfather.

    I will remember the 18th of August. The day The Godfather and I agree. :)
    Yes, treasure that rare and precious moment.
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
Sign In or Register to comment.