Imagine this: It’s an early morning, and the air is buzzing with excitement. After months of training, you’re standing at the starting line of your very first half marathon. Your heart races as you receive your bib from the volunteers. You stretch, sync your playlist, and the nerves bubble up. Can you really do this?
Then, the race begins. You remember a time when you’d lounge on the couch, lost in a screen, but today is different. Your pace might feel more like a brisk walk, but this isn’t about elegance; it’s about achieving a goal. And guess what? You’re almost there! The crowd has thinned, and you realize that everyone receives a medal at the finish line. You can’t wait to share your victory on social media, picturing that perfect selfie with your shiny medal.
As you cross the finish line, legs trembling and breathless, you scan the area for a volunteer with medals and ribbons. Instead, you see a woman in a bright T-shirt who offers a quick pat on your back and a generic “Great job.” Seriously? After all that effort, you expected more than just a nod of acknowledgment. Frustration wells up within you.
Ah, the sting of finishing without a participation trophy as an adult. While adults might not label themselves as “losers,” we certainly create our own forms of rewards that mirror those trophies. We call them wine, Netflix binges, or even a new pair of shoes. The most enjoyable reward? Well, that would be sex—the ultimate participation trophy.
I find it amusing to witness the outrage over participation awards for children. A while back, I served as a mentor for a group of elementary school girls. Not all of them were eager to participate, and some were quite resistant. However, every girl tried in her own unique way to contribute. When it came time for our end-of-year ceremony, every girl received a personalized certificate and a small token to celebrate their efforts. It was crucial to convey to each one, “I see you.”
Walking through life alone can be soul-crushing. The idea that anyone achieves success completely on their own is a myth. Recognizing children for their participation doesn’t mean they won’t experience the harsh realities of losing and the need to adapt. Learning how to navigate failure is part of growing up, and I wouldn’t wish the struggle of finding “grit” on any child. Instead, I hope for their childhoods to be filled with joy, free from unnecessary hardship—except for that one kid who splashed me at the pool this summer; they can take a seat.
Children deserve encouragement and support as they navigate their formative years. The world will inevitably challenge them, and they’ll have plenty of time to learn those tough lessons. Until adults stop patting themselves on the back for merely participating, I’ll continue to shower kids with participation awards—like I’m Oprah: “You get a medal! You get a medal!”
For every child striving to try rather than just win, I see you. As for those who criticize, they can keep moving along.
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Summary
Participation trophies serve as a valuable acknowledgment for children’s efforts, promoting encouragement and support. Adults often seek their own forms of validation, reflecting a universal desire for recognition, regardless of the context. The conversation surrounding participation awards should shift towards understanding their significance in fostering resilience and motivation in children.
Keyphrase: participation trophies
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