Participation awards have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with some schools and organizations going as far as to award them for simply showing up. This trend has led to a debate over the effectiveness and consequences of participation awards, with many experts questioning their value in promoting self-esteem and motivation in children. Despite their good intentions, participation awards can actually have negative effects on children's development, including reducing motivation, promoting a false sense of accomplishment, and eroding a sense of honesty and accountability. In this essay, we will explore the various issues surrounding participation awards and consider alternative approaches to fostering healthy self-esteem and motivation …show more content…
Parents can use these trophies to say their kid did well and gave great effort, even if they did not succeed. However, as former Olympian Coby Jones points out, "In the real world you are rewarded for achievement not effort" (Dickinson). By constantly rewarding children for simply participating, we take away their opportunity to experience and learn how to deal with sadness and other emotions when they fail. As Jon Doss notes, "It's an achievement that leads to more achievement and self-esteem" (Doss), and learning from failure is essential to success (Miles). Giving participation trophies does not prepare children for the realities of life later on and does not help them develop "tough skin." Children who are used to receiving participation trophies may lack independence and need others to help them succeed, as Jordan Roos and Brad Strand explain, "Children who are used to receiving participation trophies lack independence and need others to help them succeed in life" (Roos). This lack of independence can ultimately harm children's development and future success. Participation trophies can lead to children being lazy and cutting corners, ultimately hindering the success of the