I\u2019ve watched more of the Olympics that I thought I would. One thing I like about them is there\u2019s only one winner \u2014 the top three get medals, but only one wins. I suppose it\u2019s only a matter of time before everyone that participates will be awarded a participation medal. That certainly is the trend with younger children and I\u2019ve noticed that the practice is even spreading to some high schools.<\/p>\n
Sports, and other activities, have been awarding trophies, plaques, certificates, etc. for as long as I can remember. No championship is complete without a trophy presentation. An award of this kind is a great way to acknowledge and celebrate victory and achievement. But somewhere along the way something has happened that devalues the impact and and appreciation of receiving these awards.<\/p>\n
I think there is a desire to recognize the contributions of everyone that participates in an activity and one way to do that is to increase the number of awards given \u2014 even to the point of giving everyone involved an award or trophy just for participating.
\nObviously, there are at least two schools of thought on the subject of awards \u2014 one side believes that an award is a powerful motivator. Another view is that nonstop recognition doesn\u2019t inspire success. In life, people tend to lose more often than they win, even if they\u2019re really good at something. If you come in last place and get a trophy, then what does that say? It says it\u2019s ok to finish in last place.<\/p>\n
Kids today are used to getting rewarded for doing practically nothing. By being rewarded for just participating, they haven\u2019t learned that out in the real world, you don\u2019t get rewarded for trying \u2014 even if it\u2019s your best try. You get rewarded for winning or being the best. My thought is that if you don\u2019t come in first, and only get second, it motivates you to try harder next time. Also, if you \u201close\u201d you often learn from the mistakes made and that helps you to do better. Any time you make a mistake, you have the chance to learn from it.<\/p>\n
All through life you compete with other people \u2014 only one person will get that raise or promotion. And who is that? The person who is the best, who produces the best work \u2014 not the person who tried the hardest.<\/p>\n
I know it\u2019s tough to see kids lose, especially the little ones, but earlier rather than later they must learn that they can\u2019t expect things to be handed to them and they need to learn that if they can\u2019t lose, they shouldn\u2019t play the game.
\n\u2014 30 \u2014<\/p>\n
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I\u2019ve watched more of the Olympics that I thought I would. One thing I like about them is there\u2019s only one winner \u2014 the top three get medals, but only one wins. I suppose it\u2019s only a matter of time … Continue reading