When you were a kid, winning an award was considered a big deal. Maybe you took home a trophy after winning a grueling soccer game. Maybe you won a medal for winning first place in a little league tournament. Or maybe you even received a certificate for perfect attendance one year. All of these accomplishments warrant the awards that a child might receive. Nowadays, however, things are much different.
There are so many sports, activities, and school related events where children are encouraged to come out and participate, play, and, of course, take home awards.But now, instead of awarding one or two children for their excellent work, participation awards seem to be all the rage. Participation awards are running rampant in schools, sports, and extracurricular activities. Coaches and teachers are handing out awards to every child, not for winning, but simply just for participating.
So what’s the best way to award your kid? Some parents believe that an award should be earned, with hard work and dedication. Giving a child an award without that hard work might lead to a false sense of what the real world is like. What if a high school junior doesn’t study for his SATs? Will he still get a good score? Will he get into a good college? The answer is likely no.
Then there is the opposite view, where parents believe that when you’re a kid, life should be a little bit simpler. In elementary school, you are learning the foundations that will guide you through life, and that comes with many obstacles to begin with. Why shouldn’t activities outside of that be fun, entertaining, and educational? If an entire ballet class receives trophies after participating in a recital, what’s the harm? Working hard, regardless of winning or losing, should be celebrated.
Those are the two sides to the debate. Where do you stand and what do you think? Should your child take home a trophy just for participating or should he or she have to win to get something in return?
Looking for trophies, plaques, medals and more? Contact Crown Awards for quality awards, great customer service and unbeatable pricing.
