Should Kids Get A Trophy Essay

What goes through a child’s mind when they receive a trophy? Is it how hard they worked to be recognized or that they are just being a part of a group? In society there is an arising opinion that not all children participating in activities should receive a trophy. According to Reasons-Rupe Poll, “57 percent of Americans say only winning, and deserving kids should receive awards. Another 40 percent say all kids on a sports team should receive a trophy for their participation” (Ekins). These views are a result of many children showing a feeling of entitlement, an increased cost of programs, and lack of ambition.
Today many children expect to always receive an award when participating in sports, clubs, or other activities. This sense of entitlement is greatly impacting the younger generation and teaching them they do not need to strive to do their best. It also teaches them to just do enough to fit in with others. Michele Borba says, “Kids know when they deserve a trophy. Those unearned accolades make kids hooked on those awards. There goes the internal motivations and the joy of doing your best. What is the point of effort? If everyone is going to get a trophy for just showing up and breathing” (Axelson). Kids who work above and beyond to improve aren’t getting the appropriate recognition due to the entitlement of others.
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As shown above there is significant support for why the practice of rewarding all participants should be eliminated. Children in their minds realize when they truly deserve a reward for what they have done. Presenting undeserving children awards will not help them with their future and it negatively impacts those who deserve them by demotivating them to excel above others. Society needs to change this before children believe it is acceptable to always be like everyone