People talk a lot about my generation. They say we're too entitled, we're too sensitive and we're too selfish. With so many accusations thrown at us “millennials” it makes me wonder what caused us to be this way, but luckily, as many people have pointed out, there is one simple answer that is the root of an entire generation's behavior: participation trophies. That's right, move over Satan, participation trophies are the root of all evil. They will turn a child into an evil, monstrous, fire-breathing adult and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

To a lot of people, participation trophies represent everything wrong with an entire generation and I'm not exactly sure why. But, to a lot of people, handing out a trophy to reward effort is essentially a trophy that is given out for no reason at all. Participation trophies are just that, trophies given to children playing sports to commend them for participating and I think it's important we keep a couple of things in mind when discussing them.

For one thing, these trophies are given to CHILDREN. I'm not saying everyone at every age level of sports competition should receive a trophy (if you're 12 or older they should be no more), but there's no harm in giving a child something to reward them for all the practices and games they put effort into. Children are not dumb, they know if they won or lost games and if a parent or coach makes sure to take the time to explain the meaning of the trophies they will understand what they are for. The notion that children will interpret the trophies as a sign of victory can be simply fixed by a parent explaining to them what the trophy actually means.

Next is the idea that if given a participation trophy that the kids won't play as hard because they know that by season's end they will get a trophy anyhow. Again, these are children we're talking about. Children absolutely love to run around have fun with games. If a child isn't putting effort into something, it's likely because they don't want to do it in the first place regardless of a trophy. But, for the sake of argument, let's say the fact that they will get a trophy at the end of the season does inspire a child to not to put in as much effort. Then again, it's up to a parent or coach to explain to them why it's important to try and succeed.

Now I want to touch on the root of the participation trophy hate, namely that people say it will not prepare children for life and the real world. It's true in life you don't always receive an award for the effort you put forth. In fact, a lot of times in life you can work as hard as you want and things may still not go your way and children will learn that lesson in time. The world is hard enough and filled with pain that children will have to grow to be prepared for. Life is not fair at all, but why is it that a small trophy will completely warp how they view the world for the rest of their lives? Sports have often been a source of life lessons for anyone who participates and rightfully so, but let's pump the brakes here because giving a child a trophy for effort is not going to be a detriment to them for their lives as adults. Maybe the participation trophies teach a different lesson. Maybe they are a message to children that even if you don't win, your work doesn't go unnoticed and your effort still matters. The trophy, like all trophies really, is symbolic and depending on the influences around your child they can do more good than harm.

Lastly, I have to make a point about the parents who are so staunchly against participation trophies and the attitude that supposedly comes from getting one. The last time I checked, it wasn't a trophy or lack there of that prepared kids to be adults, it was parents. A tiny, hollow piece of plastic has far less influence on a child then what they receive at home from their parents for years. Criticism on my generation often cites these trophies, among other things, as a reason for the perceived shortcomings we have, but they avoid the real roots of the problem. When I see a person who is self-absorbed or just unpleasant to be around I don't think “man they must have had so many participation trophies”. No, instead I wonder what influences they had in life that brought them to this point. If you don't want a participation trophy to teach a child the wrong lessons, then the answer isn't to take away the trophies, it is instead to teach your child the right lessons. I got those same trophies as a child and I never once thought I actually won them because I knew we had really lost the game, but my parents told me why I received it and the value of it. At the end of the day, these trophies have so very little to do with a child's development that it's laughable I have to write this article in the first place.