Are participation trophies harmful for children? This question often sparks heated discussions. Interestingly, it seems to be an issue that those without kids feel more strongly about than many parents themselves.
Having only coached young children aged 6 to 7, my perspective may evolve as my own children grow, but I currently see little validity in the arguments against participation trophies. The most frequent objections typically fall into two main categories: 1) they devalue the essence of sports, and 2) they foster a generation of overly sensitive individuals, particularly among boys.
The Value of Commitment
To those who argue that participation trophies diminish the spirit of competition, I pose this question: Why do so many kids commit to weekly practices and games for an entire season if their sole goal is to acquire a trivial piece of plastic? Where are the children who insist, “I’m not interested in baseball and don’t care about learning teamwork or making friends, but I’ll keep going to practice every week just to earn that trophy”? The notion that participation trophies distort children’s understanding of sports is fundamentally flawed.
Addressing Concerns About Masculinity
As for critics concerned about masculinity, I understand the viewpoint. There’s a long-standing narrative that each generation faces a crisis of masculinity, but this has been exaggerated for decades. Let’s leave those concerns in the past.
In a few years, I may believe my eldest child has outgrown participation trophies, and it’s likely she won’t even care about them by then—she barely paid attention to the one she received last season! However, for now, I am committed to recognizing all the kids I coach for their dedication, skill improvement, and teamwork with a participation trophy.
Further Reading
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Conclusion
In summary, participation trophies serve as a valuable recognition of children’s efforts and contributions, encouraging their participation and enjoyment in sports and teamwork.