Anyone else getting tired of all the participation trophy nonsense?

Dec 4·1 min read

My kids played in a soccer league where EVERYONE got a medal just for showing up. Everyone. The kids who worked hard got the same thing as the ones who didn't even try. How is that teaching them anything? I pulled mine out and found a different league where winners win and losers learn from losing. That's life. That's how you build character. You don't get better by getting a trophy for being average. This whole thing has gotten out of hand.

5 comments191 views

Comments(5)

JJerome S.RegularDec 4

The soccer medal thing kills me. Everyone gets a medal for participating but then nobody actually feels good when they earn something real. It's backwards logic.

AArchie K.RegularDec 4

A thousand times yes. My daughter's school gave out awards for 'good listener' and 'shows up on time.' Like, isn't that just the baseline for existing?

DDerek P.RegularDec 6

Wait what? Your soccer league gave medals to everyone? Mine only gives trophies to the top three teams. Did you guys complain about it or just take the L and move on?

PPete L.RegularDec 5

This is why I signed my kids up for competitive leagues instead of the rec stuff. Yeah it costs more but at least there are actual winners and losers. Teaches them how the world actually works.

HHarvey L.RegularDec 6

I'm with you. Real talk though, how do you handle it when your kid comes home disappointed because they didn't win but everyone got the same medal anyway? Doesn't that mess with their motivation?