Ask Michael Jordan what motivated him most when he was growing up...

 

He didnt make a team, it had nothing to do with any sort of trophy or not receiving recognition.

---

Nah, I'd think the trophies would still mean more, but as said, everyone would be getting this participation paper as a sort of thank you for playing - even the kids that got the trophies. 

 

 

I wouldn't give even a small trophy out to anyone but the team superlatives. They have to mean something more. 

 

Your reasoning for giving a "participation paper" is the exact reason the football league in the OP is not giving away trophies. It's semantics what the award is (whether a piece of paper or a piece of plastic). The intention behind is the same.

---

He didnt make a team, it had nothing to do with any sort of trophy or not receiving recognition.

 

And even that tale is only half true. Jordan was placed on the JV team instead of the varsity team. It eventually grew into being "Michael Jordan was cut from high school team".

---

I think it is vital that we make sure losers understand and accept their place in society.

 

 

He didnt make a team, it had nothing to do with any sort of trophy or not receiving recognition.

 

Uh, you're missing the point. LOSING is what motivated him. Not making the team = "losing" or being told "you aren't good enough". 

 

Your reasoning for giving a "participation paper" is the exact reason the football league in the OP is not giving away trophies. It's semantics what the award is (whether a piece of paper or a piece of plastic). The intention behind is the same.

 

I disagree. The piece of paper is nice "thank you" and all.... (and thats exactly what I would give, not any sort of plastic charm or small trophy but just a paper certificate) but there would still be the nice trophies that only the superlatives would earn. The kids would still want to get that over some certificate....

---

Uh, you're missing the point. LOSING is what motivated him. Not making the team = "losing" or being told "you aren't good enough". 

 

 

I disagree. The piece of paper is nice "thank you" and all.... (and thats exactly what I would give, not any sort of plastic charm or small trophy but just a paper certificate) but there would still be the nice trophies that only the superlatives would earn. The kids would still want to get that over some certificate....

 

Whats the difference between a thank you paper with fancy writing or a small trophy for all the kids?

 

I agree that  many kids are coddled, but getting a small trophy to show an accomplishment of playing a season really isnt a big deal.  I still have all my trophies from when I was a kid.  I have many more trophies than just "participation trophies" but those participation trophies can still bring back a good memory.

---

I disagree. The piece of paper is nice "thank you" and all.... (and thats exactly what I would give, not any sort of plastic charm or small trophy but just a paper certificate) but there would still be the nice trophies that only the superlatives would earn. The kids would still want to get that over some certificate....

 

Just curious. Do you think in leagues (like the soccer leaguie mentioned in the original article) that give trophies to all players that they are all given the exact same trophy? The reason I ask is because one of my kids is in a bowling league. Every team gets a trophy at the end of the year. The first place team gets the biggest trophy, followed by second and third. The remaining get a smaller "participation trophy". This is the exact same concept you are suggesting.

---

You're making it too easy for me to respond with something depressing. 

Sorry, not meaning to bring up anything painful.

 

Just wanted to let you know that everything you have ever brought here screams "winner", Rache.

 

Back on topic for a second: my childhood trophy case is tiny.  My childhood memories are, for the most part awesome.  And very few of those awesome memories involve a classic definition of achievement.  In life, they don't give out trophies for what is most important. 

 

I can sort of see both sides of this argument.  Recognition, even at the smallest levels, can mean a great deal to forging a little person's confidence.  Reinforcing the wrong attributes can spoil one.  I think it's important that trophies actually mean something.  I am all in favor of "Hardest Worker" and "Most Improved" types of trophies, and these can often be as little as a small letter next to the subject line on a report card.

 

Sports can be great, and bring out much of the best in the human spirit.  But man, people can really warp them into meaning more than just a game.  And those that do are generally miserable.

---

Back on topic for a second: my childhood trophy case is tiny.  My childhood memories are, for the most part awesome.  And very few of those awesome memories involve a classic definition of achievement.  In life, they don't give out trophies for what is most important. 

 

I like the way you put this.

 

Earlier this year I took my kids to the mountains of North Carolina and they got to see snow for the first time. I'd like to think that will be a more important memory for them than any trophy they received this year.

---

Whats the difference between a thank you paper with fancy writing or a small trophy for all the kids?

 

I agree that  many kids are coddled, but getting a small trophy to show an accomplishment of playing a season really isnt a big deal.  I still have all

my trophies from when I was a kid.  I have many more trophies than just "participation trophies" but those participation trophies can still bring back a good memory.

 

 

 

Just curious. Do you think in leagues (like the soccer leaguie mentioned in the original article) that give trophies to all players that they are all given the exact same trophy? The reason I ask is because one of my kids is in a bowling league. Every team gets a trophy at the end of the year. The first place team gets the biggest trophy, followed by second and third. The remaining get a smaller "participation trophy". This is the exact same concept you are suggesting.

 

No I don't think all the trophies are the exact same size. I just think the idea I presented is a better way to handle it. Getting a trophy is a symbolic award and I don't feel that every kid should get one that plays. However, I do think a certificate saying thanks for playing would be a nice compromise. If the kid wanted to he could have it framed. Or he could just crumple it up at trash it. Whatever. 

---

No I don't think all the trophies are the exact same size. I just think the idea I presented is a better way to handle it. Getting a trophy is a symbolic award and I don't feel that every kid should get one that plays. However, I do think a certificate saying thanks for playing would be a nice compromise. If the kid wanted to he could have it framed. Or he could just crumple it up at trash it. Whatever. 

 

I see what you're saying, but a certificate is a symbolic award as well, just a different form than a trophy.

---

Who cares if a kid gets a trophy at the end of the year for playing on the team?  I really could care less either way.

 

When I was a kid (and you too...) I got trophies at the end of the year for being on the team....they also gave out other individual trophies too.

Because it's the teaching of "Everyone is a winner" no matter what mentality, and it's not true. It sounds like a harsh reality, but it's true nonetheless.There are winners, and there are losers. You have to work to be good, to win, to be a champion, to get that promotion, to make more money etc. There aren't many better ways to teach this at a young age than it is through athletics.

---

TravC59, aka JacksJags. @TravC59 on Twitter
;
; "This is really good, you want a bite, Honey?"

I'd like to think the way I have raised my children will impact their life more than if they get a trophy for playing sports.

 

I am guessing the people outraged by the "everyone gets a trophy" mentality are the type of parent that takes youth sports way too seriously.

It takes a village....

 

No doubt what you as a parent will have a huge impact. Athletics can help reinforce, and also teach things that you couldn't out of the home.

---

TravC59, aka JacksJags. @TravC59 on Twitter
;
; "This is really good, you want a bite, Honey?"

Nice way to take a cheap shot at Travis, some how I doubt that's the case. Like it or not but youth sports is where a lot of these young boys learn life lessons, a lot of these boys have no Father figure in the home and we know the school system doesn't hold anyone accountable anymore. I'm thrilled you're raising your kids right, but for many of these kids (gotta stop saying boys cause there's a girl on our team) the opportunity to learn life lessons is far and few in between.

I wonder if that lesson is passed on to his young'ns too. Talk about folks you know nothing about.

 

It is fine to have your own opinion on the matter though.

---

TravC59, aka JacksJags. @TravC59 on Twitter
;
; "This is really good, you want a bite, Honey?"

Did any of your "letter" in sports when you were in school? Should letters only be given to you if you win?

I did, and I also coach HS athletics. In wrestling, for example, if you participate in five varsity matches, you earn a letter. You earned a spot through hard work in practice, winning a wrestle off (or sometimes 2-3) to earn that spot. That, in my eyes, is worthy of a Varsity letter.

---

TravC59, aka JacksJags. @TravC59 on Twitter
;
; "This is really good, you want a bite, Honey?"

Yea everyone always wins and life is an even playing field. You know what kids, if you can't do as well as the next guy don't worry society will make sure you get "equal" rewards :whistling:

 

Yes Sir, Drill Sergeant, Sir.

 

I am glad I didn't grow up in your house.

 

Wait, maybe that is my problem? :blink:

 

Why do Jocks think winning at sports will make a man out of ya? Because that is what they use to prove less athletic men aren't.

---

Everybody on the varsity get a letter? A participation letter?

It takes work to make a varsity lineup, hence why he didn't make it his 9th/10th grade year. He got beat out in wrestle offs. You persevere, work hard in and out of season and eventually crack the line up.

---

TravC59, aka JacksJags. @TravC59 on Twitter
;
; "This is really good, you want a bite, Honey?"

I think you are giving them too much credit. Kids are impressionable. What Eric states could indeed be a lesson that they "learn" from that. And judging by today....Eric seems pretty much dead on, lol. 

 

Would you go back to sports, and leave the real men to discuss intelligence smart stuff. :woot:

---

Uh, you're missing the point. LOSING is what motivated him. Not making the team = "losing" or being told "you aren't good enough". 

 

That never stopped you from posting dumb stuff here.

 

You are losing, and you contiue to lose. You don't have motivation like MJ, you have ... well, hmmm ... you have Jock itch.

 

 

 

:woot:

---

I won one trophy when I was a kid, I was 15 YO and played 2 solid days of Chess to earn it. Yeah it was for the championship, but I earned it

---

Because it's the teaching of "Everyone is a winner" no matter what mentality, and it's not true. It sounds like a harsh reality, but it's true nonetheless.There are winners, and there are losers. You have to work to be good, to win, to be a champion, to get that promotion, to make more money etc. There aren't many better ways to teach this at a young age than it is through athletics.

 

Do you expect some company deciding between 3 candidates to make you have a wrestle off to see which ape is strong enough to empty the trash cans fastest?

 

Just trying to understand all angles here.

---