In Defense of Participation Trophies

I am going to go someplace really un-popular here.  I am going propose that  Participation Trophies are important.  Yep, those trophies that have people enraged.  The ones that many say have contributed to the entitlement of the younger generations.  (For the record, I disagree that younger generations are entitled, but that’s another subject for another time.)  The trophies that are perceived to be handed out simply because someone was on the team.

The argument is that people, usually kids, should earn their trophies.  They should accomplish something to earn a trophy.  They should achieve something. 

The problem with that argument is not in theory, it is in the application.  It is in how we define earning, accomplishments, and achievements.

In the application of awarding trophies, the accomplishments are normally reserved for the extraordinary of the team.   The highest RBI.  Most points scored.  Most assists.  The kids who came in first, second, third.  The best performer.  The person who had the staring role.  Most goals.  Most outs.  Most saves. Most yards.

I do not take anything away from the achievements of these people.  Many of them work hard at their activity.  Some, and I would argue more than some, achieve those things for several reasons.  First, some have some natural aptitude for their activity.  An inborn talent.  Second, whether by talent or training, they get more opportunities, more time on the field and more time in the spotlight.  It’s easy to score a lot of points when you are also getting the most playing time.  And lastly, many of the kids who are at the head of the pack are also frequently the ones who for whom their activity is more than an extracurricular – it is a lifestyle.  Their, and their families lives, often revolve around practices, travel teams, tournament and competition weekends.  They spend their "free time" with specialized coaches or in private lessons.

But let’s look at the kids who aren’t at the top of the heap.  The ones who don’t have a natural aptitude, whose families may not be able to afford extra coaching or lessons, who are spending more time on the bench or in the background.  The kids for whom the activity isn’t or cannot be, a lifestyle.  The ones who just want to play for the fun of it and be part of the team.

The kids who continue to sign up and show up.  Who are regulars at rehearsals and practices.  Who run the drills, the routines, the plays.   The kids who suit up for every game and warming the bench.  The ones who play Villager # 3 in the background.  The ones who come in and do their part, so the stars can do theirs.

The kids who only get court time when the score is so high, a coach can afford to put in a “lesser” player.  The kid whose only shot at the spotlight is if the lead gets strep throat.  The kid who is only getting a minute or two on the field every couple games.

Yet they keep signing up and showing up.  They keep supporting their teammate, cast mates, organizations.  They keep cheering for their teams.  They keep playing their part, even if their part isn’t big and shiny and extraordinary.

Those are the kids that many say do not deserve recognition, awards or trophies.  What kind of message does that send to our kids?  That the only things worth recognizing and celebrating are the extraordinary ones? 

As adults, we want our contributions and efforts to be recognized.  We may not win “Salesman of the Year” or find a cure for cancer or get an award for a cool new piece of tech, but we do expect, and need, to hear we are valued, by our bosses, often in the form of raises, promotions, new opportunities.  We expect these things even if we aren’t the top of the pack.  We are hurt and even angry and resentful when we don’t get them. So why do so many want to deprive our children of the same recognition for their own efforts and contributions?

 

Most parents, when asked, say what they want most for their children is for them to be happy.  Yet, we only want to reward those at the top.  Where does that leave everyone else?

 

According to many, undeserving of a trophy.

I say that they do deserve trophies, awards, recognition.  It takes heart to keep signing up, always being in a supportive role and yet still showing up time and time again and being the best supportive player you can be.  It takes courage to spend an entire game on the bench, longing to play, waiting for your minute or two on the court or field.  To audition again and again for a role in the chorus.  It takes generosity to cheer on those who are doing what you wish to do.

They contribute to their activities.  They ensure that a team meets the minimum required number of player for their league or organization.  Where would a team be if only the top players signed up?  They add interest and color in plays and musicals.   Can you imagine Belle singing about finding adventure while walking through empty streets of France?   What would happen to a team who has three top players out with injuries if these other contributing team members weren’t there?

Those people are every bit as deserving as the lead scorers, best defenders, starring players.  Their commitment to their activities, efforts at rehearsals and practices, and their attitudes - despite many thinking they are “less than” their teammates - deserve recognition, rewards and yes, trophies.  The need to hear it from us, their coaches and teachers and directors and parents.  They need to feel that their contributions and efforts count.   That they are celebrated and appreciated.  That they matter.  Because they do.

Maybe “Participation” is the wrong name.  It doesn’t matter what we call it.  What matters is that we recognize their contributions and their efforts, regardless of where they rank. 

PS: For a great post about a girl who definitely deserves a trophy, check this out.