Do we really need... Participation trophies?

Holy delay.  I haven't blogged in some time, so let me reignite the fire with something that has pissed me off for a very long time.  Participation trophies!!

Hey buddy.  You didn't do well, but you tried.


Way to let mediocrity, and everything less, become acceptable America!  As a second-baseman (in baseball - idiot), I did great.  I was exceptional in every respect, and I have the "I played on the Schromolo Provisions" trophy to prove it!  No, my little-league team never won a championship, but I HAD A TROPHY!!!

Why do I have a trophy?  I have no idea.  I was not an MVP - I was mediocre at best (despite my personal analysis in the first paragraph), I was never a game changer, and I never hit the game-winning home run.  I think I might have tagged someone out once, or I caught a ball...  who can remember?

Self-esteem building exercise!


You want to build someone's self-esteem?  If someone sucks at something, don't reward them!  Tell them they suck until they find something they can perform well in!  If we give a quarterback (that's in football, keep up) a trophy from the time he is 10 until 18, for just TRYING to be a quarterback, we will give him a false sense of confidence.  Imagine what happens to his self-image when he gets into the real world.

Now we have this guy, whom for YEARS assumed he would make it to the "pros", left with a wasted 8 years of not learning something he could've been GREAT doing.  Although, I am as confused as you are...  His losing record wasn't a hint of his skill (or lack there of).

Is there a fix?


YES...  very-much-so there is!  Stop telling your 4 year old that her crayon drawing is great.  What famous artist uses crayons anyway?  Stop acting like your kid's shitty made-up story is interesting, and even call them on their bluff.  Stop trying to sub-coach from the sidelines at your kid's ballgames.  Stop telling your kid that if they are not good in a sport, they only have to work hard and try.  I have got news for you, if you are going into the pros, you better be a natural.

We need to stop this "everyone gets a medal" mentality.  By doing so, we are lowering the standards of every citizen of our country.