Have Participation Trophies hurt or helped our societal culture?

It takes away the rewards of achievement.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

Good Post