Youth Sports Persuasive Essay

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Recommended: Negatives of participation trophies

“No matter how hard the loss, defeat might serve as well as victory to shape the soul and let the glory out” (Khurana). Al Gore said this to explain one will not always win in life, but losing is the only way one will be pushed to get better and succeed. Is this how kids are taught now or are they learning that they will always be rewarded in life for even doing the bare minimum. Some think that is the message youth sports are sending kids, because they are awarded for just participating not actually competing and earning an award. Others think it is good that kids get an award and that it helps their self esteem. Participation trophies are awards kids get for showing up. Some people think this is a good thing for kids but others think it is a bad idea and sets low standards. Participation trophies make kids lazy and not want to achieve success, only the kids who win should be rewarded. A trophy should be given for an accomplishment not just doing what is required. Awards can be powerful motivators, but nonstop recognition does not inspire children to succeed. When kids know they will receive an award no matter how much effort they put in, they don’t see why they should try. They become less motivated to try hard and think that it’s alright because they will still get …show more content…

An editorial from the Dallas Morning News talks about participation trophies saying they are, “an unrealistic portrayal of the world as a place where there are no winners or losers”. Sports should be played with passion to win and not just to get an award, because people who play with passion are more likely to succeed than a person who plays for a trophy (Fader). Kids should be awarded for accomplishments and not just showing up. The pride a kid should be awarded for is trying their hardest and being the best not for trying to get a

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