Should every child on the team get a trophy?
June 17, 2011
The trophy business is doing really good these days.
It seems as if young athletes on every team are getting them. Nearly every team my kids played on when they were small gave trophies to every kid on their team.
My kids are college and older now and those trophies are long forgotten. But the “Best defensive player,” “MVP”, “Best Hustle”, “All-Star”, “Most-inspirational” awards? They are still on display.
I’m not crazy about this trophies-for-everyone culture we’ve created for our athletes. But I decided to ask other parents what they think. There were a few who supported the idea.
From Kids in Sports | Character Building | JBM Thinks, post Should every child on the team get a trophy?
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Twitter: marierleslie
June 22, 2011 at 8:35 am
Definitely a hot-button topic these days. Guess I’m one of the “old school.” Recognition breeds confidence and drive only when it’s earned. One of the greatest lessons of sports has always been that sometimes you win and stand in the winner’s circle and sometimes you don’t. And hard work can make all the difference.
Yeah, the reactions have been mixed from parents….I tend to agree with you. Although I think a good word, a public praise for each athlete’s hard work and accomplishments (such as the end-of-the-year banquet) is a great habit for coaches.
Twitter: kimgarst
June 23, 2011 at 6:46 am
Personally, I have problem with everyone getting a trophy. I think this takes away from personal incentive to do your very best when you know that everyone is going to get the same thing you do regardless of how you perform. I think you should EARN and be recognized for your accomplishments and if you don’t earn it, YOU DON’T GET IT! Period. What are we teaching our children if we don’t teach them that they have to work for what they get in life?
Kim, I lean towards agreeing with you about the idea of everyone getting a trophy. As a parent, I went to the end-of-the-season dinners and always loved hearing positive things about each kid, and letting each kid have a moment in the limelight. And then at the end, the awards were given for “mvp” or “best defensive” etc. I felt that was a good way–each kid get praise and recognition for their hard work AND awards were given for those who distinguished themselves.