Participation Trophies and Skill Development in Kids Essay

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 648 words ( 2 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 2

Page 1 of 2

Participation Trophies do not Enhance Skill Development in KidsAshley Merryman (2016), in the article “Forget Trophies, Let Kids Know It’s O.K. to Lose,” argues that kids should be taught that losing and making mistakes is part of growth and progress. Participation trophies create in kids the impression that losing is unacceptable. This passes the wrong message to them because they adopt negative perspectives. Instead, kids should be trained that failure offers them a better opportunity to learn, and it is not a form of embarrassment. It is not about winning all the time but providing progressive results. Merryman shares the claims held by some people that awards enhance self-esteem and hence promote success. However, science refutes such claims that when such kids are overpraised, they tend to be relaxed and feel vindicated, leading to narcissistic tendencies. Instead, the focus should be on enhancing their self-image, which leads to personal development, which is the true mastery of skills. It is the small accomplishments that make them grow. Thus, saving the budget to fund participation trophies is not beneficial. Instead, such funds should aid in skill development and the purchase of equipment that promotes the growth of skills (Merryman, 2016).

Stuck Writing Your "Participation Trophies and Skill Development in Kids" Essay?

View All Our Example Participation Trophies and Skill Development in Kids Essay

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

Kids can indeed excel without participation trophies.When growing up, I never received any participation trophies. I grew knowing that…

[…… parts of this paper are missing, click here to view the entire document ]

…even the best players equal with the weaker ones. Thus, that would be discouraging and would not build on skill enhancement.In conclusion, participation trophies do not serve the role that many people believe they do. They have adverse effects on motivation and can easily make kids vindicated. Instead, kids should receive awards only after attaining essential milestones in their lives. Making the kids believe that they have to win in all circumstances makes them weak and fears failure. Unfortunately, this should not be the goal of trophies. They are supposed to create in kids the desire to work harder and develop the spirit of appreciating even failures as part….....

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Participation Trophies And Skill Development In Kids" (2021, July 11) Retrieved June 5, 2026, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/participation-trophies-skill-development-2176429

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Participation Trophies And Skill Development In Kids" 11 July 2021. Web.5 June. 2026. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/participation-trophies-skill-development-2176429>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Participation Trophies And Skill Development In Kids", 11 July 2021, Accessed.5 June. 2026,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/participation-trophies-skill-development-2176429
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example