Childhood is riddled with a myriad of challenges: awkward haircuts, strict bedtimes, and an ongoing reliance on others for basic hygiene. While some may argue that these minor embarrassments are essential for ensuring a child’s safety and well-being, it’s important to recognize that certain traditions we impose on children can be downright unfair. One such tradition is the mind-numbing card game known as War.
Why War is the Worst Game Ever
War is that tedious game where two players split a deck of cards and take turns flipping them over. The player with the higher card wins both cards, and this continues until one player has all the cards. This can drag on for hours. The only moment of excitement occurs when both players flip over cards of equal value—this leads to a “war” where they flip over more cards, and the winner takes all four.
Even as a child, I sensed that War was a complete waste of time. It demanded no skill or strategy, unlike games such as Go Fish or Uno. You learned nothing except that some numbers are higher than others—a lesson any kid could grasp without the game.
What War Teaches Kids about Winning
The real tragedy of War lies in the message it conveys: winning is an end in itself. It suggests that intelligence and strategy are irrelevant as long as you come out on top. I never felt any sense of accomplishment from winning a game of War, just as nobody feels proud of winning Bingo or a scratch-off lottery ticket. At least those games offer the possibility of a cash prize!
Winning War grants you nothing but questionable bragging rights. You might not have done anything deserving of victory, yet you can claim you won. As Winston Churchill famously stated about a fortunate game he played, “History is written by the victors.”
The Bigger Picture: The Mile and Beyond
I don’t have kids myself, but as someone who once endured the trials of childhood, I can empathize. Recently, my friend Clara shared that her pre-teen daughter, like I once did, lies awake the night before running The Mile, a centerpiece of the now-rebranded President’s Challenge.
The issue with The Mile, and similar tests, isn’t that they assess physical fitness but that they create a hierarchy of winners and losers. The fastest kids received medals, while the slower ones were marginalized. This not only affected self-esteem but also fostered a culture where speed equated to popularity.
Encouraging Healthy Perspectives on Competition
I’m not advocating for a world where children never experience the sting of loss. However, many of us spent years overcoming the negative impact of competitions like The Mile. For too long, I held onto the belief that if I wasn’t fast, exercise wasn’t for me.
Instead of fixating solely on victory, we should focus on the joy of movement and the lifelong benefits of physical activity. Reducing worth to simplistic metrics only fosters unhealthy attitudes.
I strongly oppose the game of War, which is a terrible way to engage children. If you’re looking for a game that emphasizes process over outcome, consider teaching them bridge. It’s so complex that no one will likely finish a game, allowing for discussions about skill, experience, and the importance of the journey rather than just the end result.
Conclusion
In summary, while it’s essential for children to learn about competition, it’s equally vital that they grasp the importance of participation, effort, and enjoyment. There are far more valuable lessons to glean from sports and games than simply winning. For more insights on parenting and self insemination, check out this excellent resource.