Child athletes shouldn’t get trophies for showing up

by Gabriella Grimando, staff reporter

Most kids have played on a sports team at one point in their childhood. Some kids are great athletes, while others just show up. Do all kids deserve a trophy?

Giving trophies to everyone is wrong, even if it’s intentions are pure. All trophies should stand for something.

Losing is good for everyone. When someone loses, they know that next time they have to try harder and do better if they want that trophy. If everyone got a trophy nobody would try hard to exceed in something, because they know they’re being rewarded either way. Children should be taught to try their hardest, being rewarded or not.

”Showing up and participating is what you’re supposed to do. If you make a commitment to a team you should attend to every practice and game. The only thing you should be rewarded for is excelling in the sport.” Senior Quincy Tunstall said.

On the other hand, some people may believe it is fair for every child to receive a trophy.

“I think every child should receive a trophy. Children are young and it’s a good thing to make them feel special, but once they get older they should only receive trophies when they excel in something or if they’re very good” School aid Connie Cressy said.

Kids shouldn’t get trophies just for showing up. Kids should get trophies for being an outstanding athlete, and for outshining other kids on their team. When kids get trophies who don’t deserve them, they won’t work as hard to do better, because they’re already being given rewards for what they’ve done.