Essay Example about Participation Trophies

Imagine getting an award that recognizes hard work and determination. Participation trophies are prizes given out to all participants who participate in a sport or activity for participating (Tarshis). Participation trophies are usually given to both the winners and the losers. Sometimes, participation trophies are only given to the people who didn’t win. Everyone who participates in an activity should get a trophy because it boosts their self-esteem, it encourages kids to keep going, and it celebrates kids learning/ building new skills.

Initially, everyone who participates in an activity should get a trophy because it boosts their self-esteem. According to the article, “Should Everyone Get Trophies?, by Jorge Perez”, it states, “For everyone who plays, the reward also comes in the form of self-confidence, sportsmanship, and teamwork.” To put it another way, when a person participates in an activity, they don’t just care about getting a prize at the end, but care about learning new things and teamwork. This signifies that it boosts the participants self-esteem knowing that the partaker is being recognized for partaking in the event. Similarly, according to Sarah Brown’s comment on TODAY Mom’s Facebook page, it states, “...it boosts her self-esteem. She does work hard. She does give it her all. She’s just long, gangly, and awkward.” In other words, Sarah Brown’s daughter earned participation ribbons and it encourages the child’s dignity. To clarify, it uplifts kids’ confidence knowing that the kids tried hard and it is alright that the participants didn’t win. Therefore, everyone who took part in a recreation should get a reward because it increases their confidence.

Moreover, everyone who participates in an activity should get a trophy because it encourages kids to keep going. According to Sarah Brown’s comment on TODAY Mom’s Facebook page, when Sarah Brown’s daughter gets the participation trophy, it tells her that her teammates stilla appreciate her and she did the best she could, and she always looks forward to it. To rephrase, when Sarah Brown’s daughter gets a participation award, she feels like she is still a wanted part of the team and that it will be worth it to continue in the activity. This shows that Sarah Brown’s daughter will still keep going on in the activity she is in because her teammates acknowledge her. According to the article, Should Everyone Get Trophies?, by Jorge Perez, it states, “Trophies are also a great way to encourage people who aren’t gifted athletes to keep playing.” To explain, some kids may be forced by parents to stay healthy and active by doing sports, the kids may not be very talented athletes, but getting participation awards will reassure the kids to proceed. In light of this, participation trophies should be awarded to all players so it encourages them to continue their sport. Hence, everyone who engaged in a diversion should get a prize because it motivates kids to proceed and not give up.

Furthermore, everyone who participates in an activity should get a trophy because it rewards the kids for learning/ building skills. Some people believe that kids should not be rewarded for building and learning new skills because they should only be rewarded for being the best and winning; however, the participants should be rewarded for learning new things and building better skills. In addition, according to the article, Should Everyone Get a Trophy?, by Lauren Tarshis, it states, “‘The focus isn’t on winning,’ says Coffin. ‘It’s about building skills.’” Ultimately, kids should be rewarded for learning and strengthening their skills. This means that youth shouldn’t be rewarded for just winning but for building their skills. Another example is, according to the article, Should Everyone Get Trophies?, by Jorge Perez, it states, “That’s because participation trophies help young people celebrate a time when they learned new skills, had fun with their teammates, and belonged to something bigger than themselves.” In short, participation trophies help kids to recognize that they accomplished retained new skills and learned teamwork. This illustrates that participation prizes help kids to acknowledge that they achieved new skills and techniques. Thus, everyone who participates in an activity should get a trophy because it recompensed the kids for learning/ building skills.

Everyone who participates in an activity should get a trophy. One reason is, it stimulates their self-regard. Another reason is, it encourages kids to keep going. The third reason is, it commemorates improving and mastering new skills. If kids get participation prizes, then kids will be encouraged to keep going for their dreams. People should continue to allow kids to win participation prizes. Imagine getting an accolade that recognizes diligence and perseverance. Young people should be given participation awards because it uplifts their self-importance.