Aidan Diehl Mrs. Brekke Gr. 11 LA 05 April 2024 Participation Trophies do More Harm than Good Picture a world where everything gets handed to children. Well, that is what participation trophies are turning our world into these days. Participation trophies cause more harm than good. Participation trophies praise children too much, create too high self-esteem, and children will give up when faced with difficulties. Also, receiving these trophies can take away the lesson of losing. First of all, participation trophies take the real winners out of sports. Being in last place is not winning. If you come in last place and get a trophy, then what are you learning? It's teaching you it's OK to come in last place" (Fussell) This shows children can now …show more content…
Thus, participation trophies are not helpful for children in sports. Additionally, participation trophies can make a huge impact on young athletes’ lives from the start of their athletic debut until they are done with sports. Sadly, these participation trophies can leave a negative impact on children. “It is believed children become less motivated, less resilient, and unable to handle failure or criticism when they receive a trophy for simply showing up” (Diller). Diller shows that participation trophies do have an impact on children. Participation trophies take away discipline. Having talent is not a guarantee for success, and that discipline and repetition of actions creates and leads you to success not only in sports but later in life. That is why participation can steer our children away from these well-needed key learning moments in life (Diller). Receiving these trophies leaves children without important life lessons. Above all, participation trophies impact children negatively from a young age until they are adults. Furthermore, participation trophies are leaving poor behavioral effects on young athletes. Participation trophies lead to less problem