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Justin Jahn

ENG 112 4B

Mrs. Pettay

28 February 2017

Participation Trophies

Participation is defined as the act of taking part in something, also known as being

involved. The idea of awarding participation has been a millennial idea, in which every child

who show up or tries gets an award, whether it be a 1st place champion trophy, or a participant

medal. Self esteem has been a common theme in the reasoning behind participation awards,

stating it builds up a child's important self esteem at a young age. Another common occurrence

in the argument is the development as a person is achieved in participation, and awards for

participation further development. It has been stated that acceptance from peers becomes more

prominent in children who participate in sports or other activities. Those who support

participation trophies hold that if you only award the few for achievement then the others will

feel inferior and will be opened to ridicule. The idea that every child who shows up or

participates in an event or sport should be awarded for nothing is detrimental to them in the long

run, participation trophies only support children who don't want to work for what they want,

eliminating participation trophies would make children work harder, create stronger

relationships, and would improve self esteem through perseverance.

A child's self esteem is only as strong as a parent builds it, if a child is taught that hard

work and perseverance is the path to success, as opposed to just showing up and expecting a
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trophy. According to an article, SPORT PARTICIPATION AND SELF-ESTEEM AS MEDIATED

BY PERCEIVED PEER ACCEPTANCE AND SPORT SELF-CONCEPT IN TAIWANESE

COLLEGE STUDENTS discussing a survey from nearly 500 college students in Taiwan, over

400 of those surveyed said just participating in sports and other activities boosts self esteem. Dr.

Chen, the author of the article states, sport self concept were found to positively predict self

esteem, which means that the idea and action of participating in activities or sports gives an

individual the self esteem they seek(Cheng). The idea that only trophies can give self esteem are

preposterous. As studies show, trophies after participation do not change the fact that the

participation itself is a self esteem builder. Self esteem is not crushed by not receiving a trophy,

just as personal development isn't stopped when trophies are not handed out.

Personal development physically, mentally and emotionally are all parts of growing up,

maturing as some call it. When I was a child I couldn't wait until I was in 3rd grade, it would be

the first year I was eligible to play basketball, it became the thing that made me excited about

school. My first year in organized baskeball was anything but a success; I was short, couldnt run,

and had the strength of a newborn deer, but I worked hard everyday at practice and at home

whenever I could. In my second year of basketball I was stronger and had improved

tremendously and became a necessity to the team. My story of my personal development as a

basketball player when I was a child may not interest most but it does assist my point: I worked

hard for what I wanted. I didnt need to do it for a trophy, I did it to be better so I could play. I

played basketball for eight years and not once did I receive a participation trophy. I didn't quit, I

worked hard every year, and through it all I believe I developed as a person physically,
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emotionally, and mentally. A child's development is not hinged on a participation award, just like

peer acceptance isn't driven by an award.

Peer acceptance and other social health points are also fed by participation in activities

and sports, not receiving trophies in them. According to, A systematic review of the

psychological and social benefits of participation in sport for children and adolescents:

informing development of a conceptual model of health through sport, author M. Rochelle Eime,

participation in sports enhance psychological and social health outcomes, which means that the

action of participating in sports will enhance a child's social life and will encourage peer

acceptance, not the act of getting a participation trophy(Eime). Peer acceptance is also difficult to

measure. While I am not the most popular person in school I do feel as though my peers accept

me as who I am, whether or not that leads to social interaction is completely separate. You do not

form relationships based on acceptance, you form them based on compatibility and common

interest, which is given in participating in sports. Peer acceptance can be achieved through

participation alone, but some have differing opinions concerning participation trophies.

Others say that participation trophies are a necessary part of childhood, and that without

them children would be subject to ridicule, and to add to it children with trophies could be

ridiculed for having them. According to Jane O'Connor, an author for Children & Society, states

that children labelled as gifted are subjected to negative attitudes from others and that this

impacts on their self-esteem and motivation, he argument states that given the chance children

who feel inferior will attack others to help themselves feel even to their peers(OConnor). The

opinion is a valid one and should be evaluated as such, but I disagree. While the idea of bullying

of peers is a serious issue, awarding of participation trophies doesn't solve it, it merely masks the
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issue with excessive awards that mean nothing, except to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

While they may be ridiculed for having earned a trophy by hard work and success, others may

attempt to make them feel inferior for it. Personally, if I had won a tournament of any kind, and

someone tried to tease me for winning, I and numerous others wouldn't care because I had won,

no one can take take that away from me because, the payoff for hard work is pride, and

sometimes haters.

In conclusion participation trophies should not be awarded to every participant, because

trophies should only be given to those who earn them through hard work and success. The idea

that self esteem is raised through participation in sports is true, but the trophy for participating

does not. Personal development is not stunted with the lack of trophy, it is stunted in the lack of

participation and learning. Participation in sports can lead to peer acceptance and social health

outcomes, and trophies are not necessary for that either, only common interest and

compatibility is necessary. Even in dissenting opinions to my own, including ridicule based on

gifted or talented individuals, it's only ridicule if the individual is feeling attacked, if you dole

out participation trophies to everyone you just open up more, and more children to ridicule. The

participation in sports and other activities as a child are extremely important, rewarding them for

that is not, reward those who deserve rewarding, not those who show up.
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Works Cited

Eime, Rochelle M et all.A systematic review of the psychological and social benefits of

participation in sport for children and adolescents: informing development of a

conceptual model of health through sport., International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition

& Physical Activity,Academic Search Complete, Accessed 23 February 2017

O'Connor, Jane Is It Good to be Gifted? The Social Construction of the Gifted Child, Children

& Society., Academic Search Complete, Accessed 23 February 2017

Wen-Ing, Chen et all.SPORT PARTICIPATION AND SELF-ESTEEM AS MEDIATED BY

PERCEIVED PEER ACCEPTANCE AND SPORT SELF-CONCEPT IN TAIWANESE

COLLEGE STUDENTS, Social Behavior & Personality: an international journal.,

Academic Search Complete, Accessed 23 February 2017

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Paper#1:ClassicalArgumentEssay
English112
5-Excellent 4-Verygood 3-Basicexpectationmet 2-Belowexpectation 1-Failstomeetexpectation
ORGANIZATION: 5 4 3 2 1

Grabber is effective
Topic is introduced in intro paragraph, and it is clear there are conflicting positions
Introduction paragraph hooks reader and has a clear, profound thesis
Paragraph Development: Uses clear topic sentences that link to the thesis, support, analysis, and
clincher sentences that transition between thoughts

Paragraph Development: Coherence/Unity - Transitions are used

Paragraph Development: Classical format - Intro/Your position with reasons and evidence/the
other sides position with rebuttal/concessions/ Conclusion

Conclusion is logical and clearly related to the thesis (references the introduction, makes a
universal application, uses a positive tone, returns to grabber)
CONTENT: 5 4 3 2 1

Purpose is clear and significant

Evidence includes academic articles (min. 2), personal anecdotes, non-academic sources
Analysis provides insightful reflections on evidence
The main points are supported with specific details and examples
The essay communicates effectively with engaging information and a consistent tone
Integration of other voices
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o Each source on the Works Cited is used at least 1x, all researched information is cited in
the sentence itself or through parenthetical citations
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o Quotes are integrated and embedded in sentences (no plop and drop)
o Writer uses templates from They Say, I Say
STYLE: 5 4 3 2 1

Essay is written in standard/academic English and is free of errors in grammar, spelling,

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Essay maintains consistent tense
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Paper and paragraphs meet length and content requirements (3 full pages)
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