» News

The problem with participation trophies

Home - by - September 27, 2012 - 23:15 America/New_York - 15 Comments

h/t  Scheherazade

» 15 Comments

  1. Ricky

    September 27th, 2012

    Like they used to say: second place is the first loser..

    Thumb up +8

     

  2. Bad Brad

    September 27th, 2012

    When my boys where 10 and 12, I pulled them off their soccer teams and put them both into a wrestling camp because the league gave participation trophies. Second placed IS the first loser, and it’s not how you play the game, its if you win or lose.

    Thumb up +6

     

  3. NeeNee

    September 27th, 2012

    To add insult to injury, it’s the parents who get a bill for said participation trophy.

    Apparently every little kid has a flock of plastic trophies of various sizes displayed in their bedrooms these days. Soccer, Little League, dance, even piano recitals all have a closing ceremony where everybody gets their trophy.

    So when their first boss at the Dairy Queen makes them clean the hot fudge machine twice and yells the entire time, it’s no wonder some kids snap.

    Noteworthy Comment Thumb up +11

     

  4. Wyatt, Insensitive Progressive Jerk

    September 28th, 2012

    I sometimes comment on topics of interest, and this damn site has yet to award me a participation trophy. What gives? It’s racism, isn’t it? I know the code words: “Wyatt, you’re an idiot” is code for “let’s discriminate.”

    Noteworthy Comment Thumb up +14

     

  5. serfer62

    September 28th, 2012

    It wasn’t winning when I was a kid in the 40s & 50s…it was everything, but I never held a grudge against the losers

    Thumb up +5

     

  6. old_oaks

    September 28th, 2012

    IT is bullying, the softening of the 1st amendment, step one in repealing it!

    Thumb up 0

     

  7. Stranded in Sonoma

    September 28th, 2012

    If winning isn’t important, then why keep score?

    Thumb up +4

     

  8. firefirefire

    September 28th, 2012

    the worst thing about these “I participated” trophies is that it gives children the false impression that Life Is Fair.
    Life Is Not and Never Will Be,Fair.

    Thumb up +4

     

  9. Stranded in Sonoma

    September 28th, 2012

    Having coached youth football (and not too successfully) I have found that most kids would like to win but they tend to have short memories and don’t worry too much about losing.

    Going Oh-for-the-Season is not fun, and I had to take over a team when the original coaching staff walked out halfway through. We cobbled together a staff and did our best. The team scored exactly 1 touchdown all year, in their last game — because the opposing head coach is a friend and his team was thrashing us and he let our offense score on our last “drive.”

    Most of the kids came back the next year and moved into squads that won some games, some more than they lost, and the kids were good with that with no lasting trauma from an 0-8, 1 touchdown, season.

    Participation trophies are useless. The kids know that too.

    Thumb up +6

     

  10. Unruly Refugee

    September 28th, 2012

    I heard about some 0-hole getting one for not doing anything:

    “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples”.

    You believe that shit? Co-fukin-operation !

    Thumb up +6

     

  11. Chuck O

    September 28th, 2012

    If I received a participation award, it ended up in the trash at home because who can brag about just participating?

    Thumb up +4

     

  12. Boobie the Rocket Dog

    September 28th, 2012

    I have to collect participation trophies (certificates) in order to practice my profession. It’s state law. Don’t have to do anythging but be there to collect it, though. Oh, and pay the fee.

    Thumb up +5

     

  13. Irish

    September 28th, 2012

    Placing second only means you lost

    Thumb up +1

     

  14. Noelegy

    September 28th, 2012

    Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be Occupiers.

    Thumb up +1

     

  15. Stache

    September 28th, 2012

    Aww, Wyatt,

    Don’t get all down -n- depressed, you’re Number 9 in our hearts!

    [ Here's your att-a-boy, kid, now go away and lemme alone. ]

    Thumb up +3

     
Ajax spinner