Since I write this blog, I don’t have to fact check or get my timeline right. In fact, I don’t even have to set this piece up properly. You can Google “James Harrison participation trophies” on your own, because let’s face it – if you’re reading the SoBros Network, you probably aren’t doing anything important anyway.
Recently, or a few weeks ago, or half a year ago (I can’t remember), James Harrison posted a photo of his young sons’ participation trophies that they were given for little league baseball.
The ensuing rant was of epic proportion – trashing the concept of participation trophies as a whole and claiming that he was teaching his sons that everything in life had to be earned.
Now that I’ve clearly described the events leading up to this post, I’d like to point out that Harrison did accomplish one thing. He begged the question:
What is the proper place for participation trophies in youth sports?
Like a lot of social issues, I find myself somewhere in the middle on this one. I was told that meant I was level-headed, so I’m just going to roll with that.
In my level-headed opinion, participation trophies are fine for the younger kids (5-6 years old). I admittedly know nothing about children, but I have relatives with young kids and, sometimes, just getting them to stand up straight and actually pay attention to the game is an accomplishment.
At that age, it’s not about the wins and losses, but it’s about figuring out whether you love the game or not. You’re not going to learn any great life lessons at such a young age, especially if you have no understanding of what is happening around you.
Teams aren’t really working towards championships (though I’ll say no coach is truly doing their job if they don’t stress the importance of winning). They’re working towards teaching the game, and if a child sees that they will be rewarded for their effort, maybe that participation trophy is the spark to light a fire in a kid (metaphorically speaking, of course – I don’t want to offend the internet mobs out there by suggesting lighting children’s bellies on fire).
In that regard, you aren’t necessarily rewarding a child for doing nothing. That’s where I believe the perception of what a participation trophy means can get skewed.
When does a true understanding of what it takes to succeed in the world start to develop in a child? If you know the answer to that question, then you know when to start focusing on teaching the merits of working hard, and withholding positive reinforcement (psychology, dorks – look it up).
I’m going to guess 8, because I’m the author of this piece.
8 years old is probably where I draw the line with the distribution of participation trophies. I think back to 1994, when I was just discovering my passion for professional wrestling, and thought I was going to grow up to be a WWF (at the time) superstar (which…actually…I held onto until I was about 23).
I was starting to realize that people had to have jobs, and that I couldn’t just sit and play with G.I. Joe’s all day and get by.
I also started to notice that other kids were better than me at sports, though I could always hold my own on the kickball field. I was definitely old enough to understand that winners get the trophies, and losers get back to work.
But, that was okay. I was picked last for basketball, but was always among the first chosen for kickball. I found my own way at an early age.
That still resonates with me today.
I get the argument that handing out participation trophies frequently can harm a child’s psyche. I do agree wholeheartedly that it teaches laziness and entitlement and can cause a poor work ethic and a lack of goals. Those effects can become very real in repetition to a developing child.
But, when you’re taking trophies away from 5 year olds, that’s a bit excessive – not the good excessive either. It’s not like eating a third consecutive burrito when you aren’t even hungry. It’s more like getting blisters on your feet because you’ve tied your shoelaces too tight. It’s overly intense – and that’s coming from a guy who is competitive to a detriment to his life and the lives of those around him.
When you’re saying every member of the household has to earn what they get, that’s next-level intensity, man. These are 5 year olds – kids that are still pissing their bed sheets and checking the toilet paper for poop because they’re afraid they didn’t get it all.
Once more, I know nothing about children – especially James Harrison’s children (don’t hurt me). I don’t know if this is typical or not, but it seems right in my head. Again, since I’m the one approving the shit that’s posted here, that’s the only ‘thumbs up’ I need.
So in essence, I agree that participation trophies are, for the most part, detrimental to the mental health of a growing child, but I do see their place and value in youth development.
What I don’t buy is the argument that it’s just “not fair” for only a select few children to walk away with trophies. You can say they should receive the trophies because it could provide motivation in pursuing passion. You can’t say they should receive them just because someone else did.
You say, “Try explaining to Wallace here why little Jimmy Giordano got a trophy and he didn’t.”
I say that’s simple – “Jimmy is better than you, Wallace. That’s life. Welcome to the jungle, sport. Don’t be a bitch.”
See how easy that is?
You are the parent. You are responsible for teaching your child that life just simply isn’t fair. Things aren’t handed to them for simply showing up.
Maybe there’s a broader societal issue at hand here – we all have to be equal and we can’t acknowledge that inequality and competition exist in everyday life in the real world.
But guess what, Wallace. One day, you’re going to find the one thing in the world that you’re going to be the best at. Maybe they won’t give you a trophy for it, but rest assured, you can shove that down Jimmy’s throat.
Life is one big competition, folks. If you don’t see that, then that’s a “you problem.”
Stoney Keeley is the editor of the SoBros Network, Tennessee Titans Featured Analyst for Pro Football Spot, and covers the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley, @PFSpot, @WrestlingNewsCo
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