Are We Devaluing Kids’ Accomplishments?

A few weeks ago, one of the soccer moms mentioned that she was putting in an order for the soccer trophies and what the cost would be. After two seasons of baseball, this has become a typical thing. You play a sport and at the end, you get a participation trophy. For whatever reason, it’s starting to rub me the wrong way.

When I was growing up, you rarely got a trophy unless you’d won something. I remember the very first trophy I ever won was when I became the school spelling bee champion. I treasured that trophy because I’d worked hard for it. And until high school, it was the only one I’d ever won. It meant something.

For my son, a trophy means he played a sport. Period. There’s no sense of–most improved player, no MVP, no district champion. And within a few years, he’s going to have a shelf full of them. Trophies that were given, not because he achieved something great, but because he was a participant. But what do you do? Do you take a stand and say, “No, I’m not going to pay for a trophy,” and see that disappointed look on his face when he’s the only one who doesn’t receive one? He’s only six.

But I really worry about what’s happening to kids these days. It bothers me to see kids receiving awards and certificates for things they shouldn’t. Heck, he got a certificate last year for attendance at school. Attendance!! Unless I had a serious illness, I was required to attend school. Why should anyone get an award for something you’re supposed to do?

Sorry about the mini-rant, but am I the only one who’s starting to feel this way?