NIT – If you’re a parent of a school-age kid, and he or she is in an activity or a sport, you may have seen these “participation awards”.
Some like them, some don’t.
Apparently, these “participation awards” became the norm sometime over the past decade or so in our politically-correct American culture. Include everyone. Leave no one out. Don’t hurt anyone’s feelings. Make everyone feel like a winner.
“Yay for us!” says the winless football team that just lost 56-0 and collects trophies at the end of the year for playing the game, or the kid who practices cello but can’t hit a note.
Locally, some of our school districts send out letters in which the school board or some school official “recognizes” a child’s participation in a sport or activity like band. The child is “congratulated” in the letter just for being on the team or showing up for band practice. Sometimes kids are given medals or certificates to cherish for the rest their lives because their whole team got decent grades. This is somehow supposed to make the kid feel like a success, apparently, or so goes the thinking of these alleged education experts.
But not everyone is thrilled about these participation awards.
Some are saying it devalues the hard work, dedication and even the God-given talents and skills of the real winners. You know, the kids who actually excel in what they do.
Some say participation awards lower the bar. It makes kids think they deserve recognition and payback for doing little or nothing or just the bare minimum.
Now, some are firing back.
Today in the news, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison punished the idea of participation awards. Since they didn’t actually win anything, he gave back all the trophies his sons were handed.
(sportingnews.com photo)
It should be noted, this James Harrison fellow is pretty much the poster boy for “winner”. He has two Super Bowl rings, with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in one of those games. First Team Pro Bowler. Defensive Player of the Year in the NFL. Made millions of dollars.
Mr. Harrison is sick of the free adulation heaped up on kids these days.
“I came home to find out that my boys received two trophies for nothing, participation trophies!” Mr. Harrison explained via social media.
“While I am very proud of my boys for everything they do and will encourage them till the day I die, these trophies will be given back until they EARN a real trophy,” Harrison said about his sons’ participation trophies.
Continuing with what some might consider wise advice, Mr. Harrison said “I’m sorry I’m not sorry for believing that everything in life should be earned and I’m not about two raise to boys to be men by making them believe that they are entitled to something just because they tried their best…cause sometimes your best is not enough, and that should drive you to want to do better”.
What do you think of these participation awards? Do you agree with Mr. Harrison, or do you have a different opinion?
Double edged sword here. I’ve always been against rewarding mediocrity, but if a kid gives their all, and looses they can still learn valuable lessons. Is it bad to tell a kid good job, even though they lost? No. Should the praise they receive be equal to a winners? No. Our children need to be taught that if you give it your all and loose, it is not the end of the world. They should be taught to strive for victory, but that victory is difficult to achieve. You can’t win ’em all. But you have no chance if you don’t keep trying.
You can tell ’em “good job” if they lose… unless it’s by 50 points. Then, you make them quit and go out for band instead, because they obviously suck. Just kiddding! Kinda.
I don’t like participation awards. Kids are smart enough to see right through this. Many of them are embarrassed to even get these awards because they don’t mean anything to them. Not every kid is a great athlete but they probably shine in another area and can win awards there.
MCHS has made the football playoffs the last 3 years with a 1-8 record! Don’t we already do it?
Should Anita Marie Micich, Superintendent of Schools, should get a participation award?
@Anonymous-she probably should. She has done nothing but waste money. Certainly there should be a award for that.
It’s all warm and fuzzy til these kids grow up and get into the real world of having there own life and a job.
Showing up and doing the bare minimum isn’t going to get them that dream house or big promotion.
We’re just getting their hopes up and setting them up for failure.
Sometimes what you need is to see the other kids get trophies while you’re own kids don’t, that’s where the motivation comes from. That’s what makes you want to show up for work early and stay late. That’s what gets you out of bed in the morning, for the chance to prove yourself and get ahead.
Good comment.
Mason city youth baseball did it this year only giving out a trophy to top two teams in each league. Park and rec usually does the same.With all the cheating in youth baseball it didn’t bother me last year when everyone did get a trophy last year.
Please explain all the cheating in little league baseball?
Don’t expect a response to your question and you wont be disappointed. Some who comment here just advance conspiracy theories, throw poo and engage in a pi$$ing match.
I don’t expect a reply, just ticks me off when someone makes comments like that.
What kind of cheating?
I agree with Mr. Harrison. Shouldn’t we be encouraging our children to work hard and make their own way vs. just showing up and riding on the coattails of others?
I think its time to get away from all the PC hype and let our children learn as a fact of life that they will reap what they sow.
Exactly.
Agreed.