Essay Sample on Participation Trophies in Child Development

A children’s trophy seems harmless, but for some, it is the enemy of progress. For example in the article, “Does Sports Participation Deserve a Trophy?” it states: “After NFL linebacker James Harrison took to Instagram this weekend, announcing he would be sending back the trophies his sons, 6 and 8, received "until they earn a real trophy," parents on social media responded in droves, with the majority applauding Harrison, who plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers” (Does sports participation deserve a trophy? Let the parental debate begin!). Harrison clearly communicated the general agreement among parents: trophies should be awarded to children who had to put in enough effort to deserve a trophy. Sports researchers Perez and Merryaman acknowledge, “MOST KIDS WILL receive dozens of awards by the time they reach high school: trophies for competing in basketball tournaments, medals for playing on soccer teams, and ribbons for taking part in Little League. Instead of recognizing top performers, however, many sports programs have started awarding trophies to all athletes--regardless of their performance” (Perez, Jorge, and Ashley Merryman). If students of any age lose the meaning of earning a trophy, they will also lose the meaning of winning. There can only be one winner in every competition, and children need exposure to both losing and winning to comprehend the difference between these experiences. Currently, children receive too many trophies: scientists say if children are given too many trophies, they will not appreciate winning, and other children who win won’t feel as proud. Some parents claim, children do not receive too many trophies.  On the other hand, learning losing is unacceptable is a terrible life lesson: parents and coaches, give fewer trophies so youths around the nation will learn the meaning of hard work, dedication, and the value of learning from losing.

Scientists support the notion children will not appreciate true success if they are praised too often. Experts Perez and Merryman reveal: "Meanwhile, scientists who study praise and rewards have discovered that when adults overpraise children, young people start expecting rewards for everything they do--even if they didn't do anything to deserve them" (Perez, Jorge, and Ashley Merryman). This quote proves when children get too many rewards, they believe a reward is warranted for anything they accomplish no matter how insignificant. This also implies children will get the wrong impression about rewards and hard work, children are impressionable and need clear guidelines when it comes to work and rewards. Giving trophies for participation does not give a child a clear idea of the value of their effort. Furthermore, Perez and Merryman discuss the dire consequences of overpraising: “Some kids even cheat or lie to make sure the approval continues. Researchers have also found that when kids constantly get praise, some of them become overly confident and arrogant” (Perez, Jorge, and Ashley Merryman). According to the evidence the negative impact on children who receive too many trophies is significant; it may cause an over abundance of unwarranted pride in a child. Again, children are impressionable and desire attention, if a child only has to put in minimal effort for a reward, it teaches the child earning a trophy with more effort is not necessary if they only desire attention. Taking all of this into consideration, children suffer several negative effects of receiving too many trophies. Children will not not understand the point of trying, they might lie to get more attention, and overall they will not appreciate winning for legitimate reasons.

Other children suffer when they see rewards for minimal effort. According to the article “For some, participation prizes teach wrong lesson,” “You don't get an A in school because you sit near someone who gets an A. You have to study hard and earn that A” ("For some, participation prizes teach wrong lesson”). The article firstly declares when children get trophies for minimal effort, the other children who see them rewarded for little effort are negatively impacted: they will not feel their efforts are equally rewarded. The article elaborates: “Moreover, Friedman said the more we teach our children to rely on external motivation from objects like trophies, the greater risk we run of undermining the very values we hope to instill” (My Loser Kid Should Get a Trophy). This evidence suggests if anyone, children or adults, don’t have to put in the time and effort for a reward, then they will not develop a sense for what it means to work hard to achieve a goal. Participants should not rely on material possessions to make them feel proud. In summary, everything in a child’s life can influence their expectations of reality. If parents and other adults allow children to continue to receive rewards for losing, they will grow into adults who do not have motivation to work hard to achieve their goals. It is an unfortunate future if children are allowed to grow up in a world which does not appreciate time, effort, and diligence; or worse, values success as equal to failure.

Some parents believe losers deserve trophies just as much as winners. This perspective is highlighted in the aptly named: “My Loser Kid Should Get a Trophy,” “My 4-year-old is starting soccer in the fall. Now, I don't care how good he is at the sport. Win or lose, that kid's coming home with a trophy” (My Loser Kid Should Get a Trophy). Some parents feel their children will be more motivated to participate if they know they are going to get a trophy for trying.  If young adults are given too many trophies, they may come to believe losing is unacceptable. An article entitled “Does sports participation deserve a trophy? Let the parental debate begin!” neutrally observes the effect of losing:  "’It's fine to say ... 'You didn't go to all of the games. You didn't practice soccer. The other kid worked really hard and he did really well and he deserves a trophy and you should go over and congratulate him.' That's a hard lesson, but it's an important lesson,’ she said” (Does sports participation deserve a trophy? Let the parental debate begin!). When a person loses, they can understand the emotions associated with the feeling of disappointment. If adults do not allow children to understand the value of losing, they will never develop resilience or self pride. To conclude, although some parents may disagree, children will experience emotion development if they are given the opportunity to experience disappointment. 

There are many consequences of preventing a child from experiencing failure: an inability to use coping mechanisms, delayed emotional maturity, and other emotional complexes. In addition, which children are awarded trophies has a significant effect on the community. Whether or not participation trophies are given to deserving children, or barely participating brats, the youth of our society will learn from the decisions adults make for them. It is time to listen to the medical community, and other relevant adults about what is best for children. Parents, teachers, coaches, do not take away a child’s opportunity to learn from losing; give trophies to children who show resolve, drive, doggedness and zeal.

“Kids today are growing up without a work ethic. They get what they want, and they don't have to work for it” ("For some, participation prizes teach wrong lesson”).

Works Cited

"Does Sports Participation Deserve a Trophy? Let the Parental Debate Begin!" CNN Wire, 18 Aug. 2015. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A432245185/OVIC?u=plan95278&sid=OVIC&xid=1d57795c. Accessed 22 Jan. 2020.

"For Some, Participation Prizes Teach Wrong Lesson." USA Today, 24 Aug. 2015, p. 08A. Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A426473980/OVIC?u=plan95278&sid=OVIC&xid=9fd03fdf. Accessed 3 Feb. 2021.

"My Loser Kid Should Get a Trophy." The Daily Beast, 22 Aug. 2014. Gale in Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A430335064/OVIC?u=plan95278&sid=OVIC&xid=2b336fb0. Accessed 3 Feb. 2021.

Perez, Jorge, and Ashley Merryman. "Should Everyone Get a Trophy?" Junior Scholastic/Current Events, 19 Feb. 2018, p. 22+. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A528710754/OVIC?u=plan95278&sid=OVIC&xid=832b276c. Accessed 22 Jan. 2020.