Essay On Participation Trophies

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Do you think children should get trophies just for trying and showing up? The debate on participation trophies, and if they should be given out is a rising debate in our country. Participation trophies are doing a lot of harm to kids, and shouldn’t be given out.

When people give out participation trophies it takes away from the accomplishments of the winners. “When awards are handed out like candy to every child who participates, they diminish in value” (Betty Berden). If everyone is getting a trophy then it makes winning and trying your best not mean a lot. It can make the people that won not try as hard next season because they know that they will get a trophy any way. There is also a lot of harm done to kid’s mindsets when coaches or recreational officials give out …show more content…

“These kids dedicate time, effort and enthusiasm, and they deserve to have something tangible to make them feel that their participation was worthwhile” (Parker Abate).  However as they get older putting effort isn’t something you will be celebrated for it will be something you will be expected to do. If kids think that putting time and effort is something they will be acknowledged for then they will be in for a rude awakening when they get a job. Also getting participation trophies could make everyone not put in as much effort because they know they will get a trophy anyway. My little brother played basketball and after the season he got a participation trophy, but then we move and he played basketball in a different league. There was no participation trophies that season, so before the next season my brother practiced a lot more and ended up winning the championship. Knowing that you won’t get a trophy unless you win will make kids put more effort because it makes winning more important. Participation trophies overall do not help the kids they can actually hinder

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