Weekly Doses of Pop-up Psych

Participation Trophies: Why They are a Bad Idea and What to Do Instead

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It’s the end of the season and every player gets a trophy for being on the little league baseball team. Whether they were the kids who rarely showed up to practice or worked overtime with a hitting coach, they all got the same cheap trophy. Years later, they all acquired a clutter of meaningless participation trophies that eventually get thrown away.

 

The purpose of participation trophies are to make everyone feel included and like a winner.  On the one hand, they are a team, so yes, they do deserve something. On the other hand, does it really have to be a trophy?

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Participation trophies started sometime after my childhood and were the norm by the time I became a mom. My first experience with them was when I was a graduate professor, since I was the recipient of the kids who received participation trophies. Although my students typically ranged from 25-40, the ones who racked up the childhood participation trophies stuck out like sore thumbs.

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Stop the Meaningless Participation Trophies

 

Why give them out if they really don’t mean anything?  They might temporarily make the kids feel good, but what are the long term benefits (since they usually end up in the trash)?

 

Participation trophies invites entitlement

 

Many of us would love to receive a trophy for simply showing up.  Once we get into the real world, we actually have to earn our rewards, rather than receive them for existing. It’s a rude awakening when they go from getting rewarded for doing nothing to having to actually earn their perks.

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Participation trophies encourage mediocrity

 

Why work if you are going to receive something shiny and pretty for just showing up? The reward for nothing could dampen the intrinsic motivation to put in the extra grit to achieve excellence. Mediocrity will not get them far once they hit the real world.

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Participation trophies gives the kids a false of accomplishment

 

The reward should have a meaning attached. If they are rewarded for doing nothing, then why raise their personal bar? Participation trophies gives them nothing to strive for if they are just going to get it anyway.

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Replacing Participation Trophies

 

One of the advantages of the trophies is that the kids get a takeaway from the end of the season or experience that bonds them with their team. A ribbon, certificate, or pin can give kids that souvenir without it being too expensive, big, or tacky.

 

The actual awards should truly go to the MVPs, players who showed drastic improvement, team members who were helpful to others, or those who demonstrated perseverance, instead of just showing up. When they are meaningful, trophies can be treasures that eventually become family heirlooms.  I proudly boast my late grandfather’s shuffleboard trophy in my office because it has his name and the tournament, which is personal and meaningful.

 

How do you feel about participation trophies?

 

Hate them?  Love them? Or somewhere in between? Let me know!​

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Hi, Beautiful Readers! Thank you for reading this! I'm Dr. Joanne Broder, Media Psychologist, Author, and Fellow of the American Psychological Association. Please consider me to help you write your memoir, blogs, speeches, e-books, as well as coach you on your dissertation or thesis.  Click here so we can connect!