Have Participation Trophies hurt or helped our societal culture?

2015-10-12T19:16:43-04:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-gwjJ_NXKU

The science suggests that we need to be praise our kids on process, not results. For example, instead of dealing with defeat by telling our kids that “everyone’s a winner at heart,” we should praise them for how hard they hustled, what they did right and how they improved.

But it’s not just the “losers” we need to worry about; it’s the “winners” too. Phrases like “You’re a winner” or “You’re a natural” can actually be toxic to how kids deal with losing. As the work of child psychologist Carol Dweck shows us (link is external), praising kids for their innate talents (in this study’s case, their intelligence) actually makes it more difficult for them to cope when they’re actually confronted with losing. Kids who are praised for their effort rather than their ability tend to strive harder, enjoy activities more, and deal with failure in a more resilient way.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-new-you/201409/should-we-give-our-kids-participation-trophies

2016 Kia Sorento Built For Football Families “Participation”

After a football awards ceremony, a proud father is surprised to see his son received a participation trophy. He decides to take matters into his own hands b...

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Oct 12 at 2015 7:26 PM

2015-10-12T19:26:41-04:00

Interesting read... Gonna have to give this one some thought...

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2015 8:29 PM

2015-10-12T20:29:02-04:00

I like the James Harrison approach.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Oct 12 at 2015 10:02 PM

2015-10-12T22:02:02-04:00

Participation Trophies are simply a reward for failure.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2015 12:59 AM

2015-10-13T00:59:48-04:00

I do not believe that participation trophies are productive. It shows the youth that you can get the same credit just for being there as the kid who has natural ability and works his tail off. If you were at a place of employment and the boss said you weren't going to get a raise because they couldn't give the slacker next to you one also and it wouldn't be fair, how would you react? You deserve more if you work harder it's what pushes people to be better.

Response by SPC Michael Terrell made Jan 22 at 2021 9:28 PM

2021-01-22T21:28:28-05:00

This is like jocks, claiming that they gave 110%. You would be dead at 100%.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jan 27 at 2021 12:01 PM

2021-01-27T12:01:48-05:00

I believe the everyone gets a trophy is BS. Let me pontificate. I think you have to put in the time, effort, sweat, determination, grit and all the other things to be successful. When we give trophy's for a kid putting on a football jersey or a baseball jersey or a soccer uniform and sit on the couch till game time and half heartedly don't attend practices because mommy says they weren't in the mood that day, show up and give no effort and don't understand the plays and hurt the team and whine because they didn't get to play then get a well done trophy for showing up...that reinforce sloppy and lazy behavior...when you get to a job...show up or don't show up and do your job half assed and see what it gets you. Don't show up for class in college or don't do the required assignments see what happens. In the military we train folks hard and only the best and best qualified get the jobs they want...you can't show up to pilot training , fly when you want to, the sorties you want to, and locations you want to and still get your wings...there is no participation trophy for not excelling! Try Ranger school, BUDS, PJ and TACP schools...same same.

When I was growing up I tried out for the baseball team...thought I was ready...I wasn't...I got cut...you know what it taught me a valuable lesson...not everyone can do what they want. You know what I did, I practiced for the entire next year, throwing, catching, batting, fielding and I tried out the next year and made it but barely...but I made it because I didn't get damn participation trophy...I worked for it. Same for my daughter, we taught her the same way...she tried out for cheer her 8th grade year...didn't make it, guess what, she bought a trampoline, practiced her stunts and jumps over the year and the next year made the High School squad as a Freshman.

It is a good practice to tell kids you are improving, great hustle, and if you work a little bit harder as an individual and as a team we can win...but to give everyone trophy for breathing is BS in my book. In life there are winners and losers in every activity...just stop and think about your daily walk at home, the office, or at leisure...compromise all day long to get what you need to be successful...Sometimes you win sometimes you lose but somebody is always on one side or the other.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2021 1:28 PM

2021-01-27T13:28:10-05:00

We are 99 years into the participation trophies. The first recorded instance was in 1922. It's been a thing ever since.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2021 1:39 PM

2021-01-27T13:39:51-05:00

"But if you think the participation trophy is a recent symptom of the diapering of America, think again. We didn’t start handing out participation trophies when Baby Boomers became parents. We started handing them out after World War I."

"The participation trophy was a feature of campus life for decades. Military bases handed out participation trophies during and after World War II."

"In 1924, the University of Minnesota debuted a “30-inch sterling participation trophy” for “the campus organization having the highest number of participation points.” The idea was to encourage students to do sports—participation as something to be rewarded, because it’s good to exercise, to compete, to try hard, win or lose. The participation trophy was a feature of campus life for decades."

"Military bases handed out participation trophies during and after World War II. Schools and sports leagues picked up the practice, for individuals and teams. In 1942, each member of the winning team in the Western Division Class B of the Montana state boys’ basketball tournament—Corvallis, which beat Townsend, 50–35—got a miniature gold basketball, while “all other players received participation trophies.” In 1955, the Ithaca, New York, peewee football program may have introduced the emphasis of playing over winning—hastening our cultural decline—when it gave a participation trophy to the team that used “the greatest number of players per game for the season.”"

https://slate.com/culture/2019/04/participation-trophy-history-world-war-i.html#:~:text=The%20participation%20trophy%20was%20a%20feature%20of%20campus%20life%20for%20decades.&text=Military%20bases%20handed%20out%20participation%20trophies%20during%20and%20after%20World%20War%20II.

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Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jan 27 at 2021 1:43 PM

2021-01-27T13:43:34-05:00

Find it a little ironic we are talking about participation trophies in a military forum, when we all know there are no participation awards for the losers in war and conflict.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jan 27 at 2021 1:53 PM

2021-01-27T13:53:56-05:00

Short answer, Hurt. Need proof, consider the Me Generation who are products of the participation trophy culture.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 27 at 2021 2:10 PM

2021-01-27T14:10:51-05:00

When I played football, soccer, and wrestled I really did not care what they said about me. I knew I practiced hard and my goal was to always win.

My problem is young people who are apathetic and don’t have a winning spirit. I will not praise apathy and those who fail to reach specific goals like getting a High School degree. In the military and the corporate world we need results driven people, and results driven people tend to work the hardest. I will be damned if I see a rat turd and call it gold. I have witnessed too many young folks who think mediocrity is acceptable.

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Feb 21 at 2021 11:42 PM

2021-02-21T23:42:24-05:00

Missing your goal or losing is as much a part of growing as winning. Not everyone is going to be the best, smartest, strongest, whatever. Children need to learn to put their best effort into whatever they do, even if they are not the best or don't enjoy it and to discover what they are good at and like to do and then find out how that parleys into a vocation. If they do, they will succeed as adults.

To use myself as an example, I never made a lot of money. While I enjoyed my work, my passions were family and community, and that is where I chose to put my energy. My wife and I may have to scrimp and scrape our way through retirement, and probably work part time, but we have six kids with good lives, good spouses and 17 grand kids who love us. I am content, and in my eyes successful.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 7 at 2021 5:37 PM

2021-03-07T17:37:27-05:00

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 3 at 2021 7:18 PM

2021-05-03T19:18:51-04:00

I am not bragging just stating an opinion. I don't think many of the teens today could do what I did. I got good grades. I played football, soccer, and wrestled. I also snuck out at night and partied my ass. The expectations are much lower now. Some of them bitch that the phone and internet are giving them anxiety because it gives them another task to accomplish. I would bet my left nut that the wash out rate at basic is higher now than during my era.

Response by SPC Brian Jones made May 4 at 2021 10:02 AM

2021-05-04T10:02:47-04:00

I think it is a mixed thing. On the one hand it can allow the more timid or less gifted strive to attain something better, but on the other hand for those that do strive for that award for being the best it lessens their want to try as hard as they can. "Why should I work my can off when the lazy ones are going to get the same thing I do" mentality.
I was one of the "Go only as far was I feel like it" for a very long time, and I think it was because I knew I would still be recognized. I was one of those that did the Army PT to standard +1 so I could say I exceeded Army standards until I was looking for the promotion points and scored a 296 out of 300.

Response by SGM Gerald Fife made May 18 at 2021 8:04 PM

2021-05-18T20:04:04-04:00

Like a game of football, baseball or basketball, there should be winners and losers. How do you suppose the big dawgs like LeBron James and such would take to be getting a participation trophy. In grade school sports there should be winners and losers. Participation is like the Bump on a log. It participates being a part of the tree. No one notices that bump on the log until you sit on it. Like the war between back in the 60's-70's where they just shot artillery shells at each other for 10 years of participation. Again no winner-no loser. Races are run to be won. You participate in the marathon run but the first one to the finish is the winner. All the rest participated. But I guess the real question is, "why do you participate (in the game/race)?" The answer is obvious, you enter to win. All this physco stuff is what is wrong with some of the troops now. Being a soldier is something you play/work at to be a winner. I am going down too many bunny trails now but you get the idea, if not, at least I participated.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made May 27 at 2021 5:33 AM

2021-05-27T05:33:33-04:00

Definitely Hurt Culture! (IMHO)

Life isn’t fair and there are winners and losers. Everyone doesn’t come in first!
I definitely believe ‘participation’ trophies by themselves is a set up for disaster. This practice is psychologically damaging. It encourages ‘entitlement’ as opposed to strong work ethic and sportsman like conduct. Did everyone running for Democratic candidate for President receive a participation award?
(just my two cents)

Response by MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. made May 27 at 2021 5:37 AM

2021-05-27T05:37:53-04:00

There is no second, third, or fourth place in war. You either win or you lose. The ultimate participation trophy is a military grave marker. . . .

Response by Maj John Bell made May 27 at 2021 1:04 PM

2021-05-27T13:04:00-04:00

I remember the pain of humiliating defeat as a child. The only thing more humiliating was our mommies making very loud gushy protests about "It really didn't matter," "The important thing is to have fun" and "We did or best." And while our mommies they hugged us, we could see the smug faces of the victors, laughing at us, and planning their snarky comments for the next day on the playground.

What a bunch of HORSE SHIT!!!
_If it didn't really didn't matter, why did I spend two hours a day five days a week practicing?
_"If the important thing is to have fun, why is practice so regimented and "un-fun.?"
_And if our best resulted in calling the game because it was a runaway, what hope is there for me and my team mates. If it was the fun that mattered why call the game? [Because my team would still be on the field to this day trying to get the 1st out. That's right we were 21 points down in the 1st half of the 1st inning. The team that beat us went on to take 2nd place in the little league world series] If we're OK with that and the adults are so OK with that that they give us a medal, either the adults are lying, or the medals aren't worth having.

My Dad never coddled me when I lost. He never humiliated me either. He wanted to know two things:
_Was I embarrassed? and was I going to let that embarrassment put me in a nice comfy snuggly bed where I could while away the hours wishing I was good? Or was I going to turn that embarrassment into the rocket fuel that made get a plan and get GOOD.
_and, How could he help? (I loved my Dad.)

I think if someone had tried to give me a participation medal, Dad would have smacked it from their hands, backed them up to a wall got in their face and told them to "Get the ____ away from my boy!!!" Enshrining mediocrity is child abuse. Don't get me wrong, so is humiliating and bully ragging a kid for losing/failing. You pick them up, dust them off, and get to work at improving. But you don't give them a medal for showing up.

Response by LTC John Griscom made May 27 at 2021 11:40 PM

2021-05-27T23:40:12-04:00

It takes away the rewards of achievement.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jun 15 at 2021 3:20 PM

2021-06-15T15:20:19-04:00

Most everyone here complaining about participation trophies likely wears or wore one....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2021 9:04 AM

2021-08-19T09:04:28-04:00

One of the biggest things we need to do for our children and grandchildren is to teach them how to lose gracefully. Equally important is for us to teach them how to win gracefully. Without these two actions or society is in a constant state of war. MHO

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Aug 19 at 2021 9:18 AM

2021-08-19T09:18:05-04:00

Kind of a redundant or rhetorical question. In real life, do you get the same as everyone else? Does zero effort deserve the same as an all out effort?

Response by SPC David S. made Aug 19 at 2021 10:38 AM

2021-08-19T10:38:17-04:00

I think a lot depends on a person's competitive nature - if you are a highly competitive individual at some point in time you will be able to see the weight and merit of your accolades and the participation trophies find their way into the rubbage bin.

I think explaining or encouraging a work ethic to such individuals is like selling ice in an igloo -

For the other individuals you tell them loosing sucks - work harder.

Its not that complicated.

Response by MSgt Frank Askins made Aug 19 at 2021 11:02 AM

2021-08-19T11:02:14-04:00

I'm afraid I don't buy what you are selling. It's like a kid not going to practice because they know the coach will have to play them anyway. That's not fair to those who are dedicated enough to put in the work and practice to get better than they already are and to learn what it means to be a part of a team (where there is no "I"). I believe one of the biggest problems with kids today is there is no challenge for them. I'll be 72 soon. As a kid, we didn't have knee pads, helmets, or even training wheels. You tried, fell down, got up and tried again until you mastered it. Life is like that..... At what age do you stop giving participation trophies and tell the kid they have to learn to make it on their own??? How will they deal with their first failure if they aren't taught from an early age that you don't always win and if you want something bad enough that you have to put the blood, sweat, and tears into it. In other words.....you have to earn it and not expect it to be handed to you.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2021 11:03 AM

2021-08-19T11:03:19-04:00

It absolutely is harmful. I've been around my nieces and nephews and seen firsthand what it does to them mentally. My siblings and I have always had tough love - and we are stronger because of it and were more prepared for the real world. The younger generation of my family is struggling, because of all the societal nonsense that has been forced on them. Why can't we just go back to being normal? We've made life way too complicated, when it doesn't need to be. I don't care when participation trophies started. They need to end.

Response by CPL Adam Schoenwald made Aug 19 at 2021 2:59 PM

2021-08-19T14:59:34-04:00

My personal opinion it has created entitlement. Hey great you didn't win, you actually kind of sucked but here is your cookie for trying. It encourages mediocrity and discourages a very important lesson everyone eventually has to learn in life, someone will always be bigger, better, and (Insert your adjective of choice here) then you aka disappointment. There is truth in that one should be given credit for having courage to try something outside of the norm. I don't know about you but my best learning moments were at my times of great failure. You take that lesson away from me pat me on the back and give me a cookie I have learned nothing, and those that did achieve success where taught that the win isn't as important as it really is. Personally when I got a participation award, I felt it was more of a slap in the face "Like yay congratulations you officially suck have your "I'm a looser Ribbon" but that's just me.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2021 7:46 PM

2021-08-19T19:46:35-04:00

Encouragement and praise from parents for solid effort and hard work was worth a hell of a lot more to me than some “you tried” trophy. We need more quality time and real conversations with our kids, not more trophies.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 19 at 2021 10:26 PM

2021-08-19T22:26:55-04:00

2015

Response by SPC Lyle Montgomery made Aug 20 at 2021 10:55 AM

2021-08-20T10:55:25-04:00

The whole idea of participation Trophies suck. Here is a personal thing that happened to me. My little girl played softball as a kid, Around 12 years old. She and her team were just average. The top team then was sponsered by the Dairy Queen and they were good ball players. It was customary then after a game that all teams would go to the Dairy queen for a free cone. At the Dairy Queen someone for the opposing said "You girls won so we are buying all winners Blizzards". This pissed off me and some of the supporters of the losing team, our kids, so we bought the kids on our team bananna splits which were more expensive then their Blizzards. One snotty little girl on the opposite team wined that it wasn't fair that the girls who lost got a better prize than the winners. Now my little girl is in her 40's has an MBA and is working for a large insurence company so it all worked out good for her. I compete in antique thactor pulls and havent won yet, but still enjoy it and will continue to do it. we don't have or want partisipation trophies. These liberal woke idiots don't have a clue of how real life works.

Response by PO3 Kevin Hokerk-Robinson made Aug 20 at 2021 10:28 PM

2021-08-20T22:28:13-04:00

In my opinion it was a well intended “thing” for the very young children that went sideways really bad. It took away the ‘feel good’ for those that competed and did well (1,2,3) by the PC police. When it comes down to putting the rubber on the road the the everyone winner won’t be able to do it. Also sets up for adult whiners to wonder why they get passed over for promotions, advancements, bonuses etc.

Response by A1C Robert Underwood made Aug 21 at 2021 12:18 AM

2021-08-21T00:18:38-04:00

Why do your best if you get a trophy for showing up? It defeats the purpose of competition.

Response by PO1 Wayne Sasser made Aug 31 at 2021 10:26 AM

2021-08-31T10:26:00-04:00

Not a fan.

Response by PO1 Frank Reiffenstein made Nov 7 at 2021 6:31 PM

2021-11-07T18:31:19-05:00

Yes. Just like giving gold service stripes to everyone over 12 years. So in other words the person that the gets the same reward even though they have been busted or at least been in trouble. Come on people,this really shouldn't even be a
question.

Response by SPC Lyle Montgomery made Mar 10 at 2022 10:58 AM

2022-03-10T10:58:31-05:00

I personally believe that for the most part that partisapation trophies are dumb. Not every one can be a winner. So what? Life is full of up's and down's It's better to get used to it and accept it and move on.

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 10 at 2022 5:30 PM

2022-03-10T17:30:59-05:00

I liked my dad's approach. No false praise or comforting platitudes.

When I didn't do so well, he asked the same series of questions.
_Are you happy with the results?
_If so, do you want to get an Icee? If not, is "better" worth more time and effort?
_If better is worth it, what are you willing to sacrifice to get "better?"
_Is "better" really worth the sacrifice?
_What could he do to help? (He always made me develop my own improvement plan with a little light advice when I thought I had it.)

Response by SPC Lyle Montgomery made May 13 at 2022 10:50 AM

2022-05-13T10:50:52-04:00

I believe this whole crap of giving partisipation trophies is stupid and is harming our future leaders, if you want to call them leaders at all. I am involved in garden tractor pulls with my grandkids. Sometimes the win,(not often) sometimes they lose but it shows them what the real world is like. We don't have participation trophies. This is just a bunch of good old boys and their kids having fun, and that's the way it should be. They need to learn that in the real world, you dont always win.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 13 at 2022 8:03 PM

2022-05-13T20:03:37-04:00

A poster on a football site I go to asked why are the Russian SMs so inept? I wrote in the US Army our model of training is Task, Conditions, and Standards. The standards must be met. I firmly believe we have lowered the standards of achievement for the younger generation.

When I was in highs school I took hard classes, played 3 sports, and still partied. I rarely see that kind of drive in our kids now days. They are relatively sedentary in their life and some bitch that their phones put added pressure on their lives. They are soft.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jun 7 at 2023 6:28 PM

2023-06-07T18:28:01-04:00

Good Post

Response by Maj John Bell made Jun 7 at 2023 9:18 PM

2023-06-07T21:18:04-04:00

I'll answer, but can I see the challenge coin first, I'll get first.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2023 9:57 AM

2023-06-27T09:57:54-04:00

So much hate about this, let kids be kids and be happy with their medals...