Participation trophy

A participation trophy is a trophy given to children (usually) who participate in any sport event or contest without requiring their success in competition. The term may be used more generally as an example of the celebration of mediocrity or of emotional coddling. In this rhetorical context, it is frequently associated with millennials, those of Generation Y.[1][2]

The use of participation trophies has caused some controversy:

  • Critics argue that they promote narcissism and entitlement among children to whom they are given, and are based on incorrect assumptions regarding supposed psychological benefits of self-esteem. Critics also note that some children also do not value them as much as they do "normal" trophies that are given to winners[3]
  • Defenders of participation trophies argue that they teach children that trying their best is good enough, even if they do not win[4][5]

One of the earliest known mentions of the term "participation trophy" occurred on 8 February 1922, in a Massillon, Ohio newspaper, The Evening Independent, in an article announcing a high school basketball tournament.[6]

See also

References
  1. Schlitzkus, Lisa L.; Schenarts, Kimberly D.; Schenarts, Paul J. (2010). "Is Your Residency Program Ready for Generation Y?". Journal of Surgical Education. 67 (2): 108–111. doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2010.03.004. PMID 20656608.
  2. "The Participation Trophy Generation is a Lie and I Can Prove it". Inc.com. 2017-01-16. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  3. Johnson, Heather Beth (2010-03-23). Children and Youth Speak for Themselves. Emerald Group Publishing. p. 326. ISBN 9781849507356.
  4. Wallace, Kelly (2015-08-17). "Debate: Does sports participation deserve a trophy?". CNN. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  5. "The NPR Ed Mailbag: The Participation Trophy". NPR. 2014-08-14. Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  6. "participation trophy". Newspaper Archive. 2014-08-14. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
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