Persuasive Essay: Should Everyone Get A Prize?

Most children around the world today are involved in some sort after school program or activity. And if you were to ask anyone over the age of maybe 10, that would be normal. But what is not normal, and has friends and family spinning, is the fact that their bedrooms are covered in shiny gold plated trophies and medals making the room look like a hall of fame. Game after game after game these kids come home with a smile from ear to ear because they were reworded a piece of plastic that had absolutely no meaning. Even today, there is a huge controversy on social media about this exact topic. Trophies should not be given to every player, they come down to being extremely expensive, it builds childrens egos up at a young age, and it kills the
Around 6-25 kids participate per team. If every trophy costs about $3-$5 that amount can add up very quickly. According to “Should Everyone Get a Prize?”, the article states “Trophy and award sales are now at an estimated $3 billion-a-year industry in the U.S. and Canada!”. This means the coaches and parents are wasting money on something that isn’t valuable and can be money that is spent on investing in that student/athlete to become the best they can be. According to the same article “Should Everyone Get a Prize?”, the author mentions, “Nationally, A.Y.S.O local branches typically spend up to 12% of their yearly budgets on trophies.” This quote states that it is a fact that these local teams are again wasting money on pieces of plastic that will teach kids bad lessons. These trophies, which are costing the team a fortune, are shaping our next generation to selfish and narcissistic human
This particular one is covered from wall to wall in shiny gold, silver, and bronze plastic. At first glance it can look like they are the best player in the world! These trophies have lost their value. However, when seeing even more young athletes bedrooms, it might change one's mind. According to the article “Should Everyone Get a Prize?”, it states, “If everybody gets a trophy, find another program.” This means that when parents are signing up for after school programs, they should think twice about what it will do to the child's value for that kind of recognition and the trophy will be worth nothing. In that same article, “Should Everyone Get a Prize?”, the author says, “Trophies were once rare things-But in the 1960’s, they began to be mass-produced, marketed in catalogues for teachers and coaches, and sold in separate stores.” This statement means that there once was a time where trophies were loved and cherished and now everyone has seemed to misunderstand or misuse their precious value. It is easy to get caught up in the many good reasons trophies can help young athletes. In the ABC video, the psychologist explained that trophies can be good confidence boosters for children in pre and elementary school. However, once middle school and even the later years on elementary school hit, trophies should only be given to winners. Trophies can also get the child engaged in the sport and inspire he or she to pursue that and keep