Sport participation trophies matter. Yes, you heard that right. Maybe it’s finally time to push back on the “F your feelings” negative sentiment we have heard from critics about how damaging it is for kids to receive participation trophies in sports, and actually take a deeper dive on the psychological benefits of empowering kids — even if it’s just by means of a sports ribbon or small trophy. If you listen to some of the people against honoring kids for participating, you will hear sarcasm and condescension, as well as worries that kids who are recognized for participating will turn out “weak” and “soft.” I am here to tell you that you need not worry about the mental health of your child for receiving a small token for competing, and, in fact, you might even see the opposite occur where he or she suddenly develops more confidence for the future!
What “participating” entails…
Most of us by now have been in the company of someone who criticizes sport programs that offer a token participation recognition to kids who make the team, but contribute little to the team’s success (or so it seems). Why should they get a trophy? What have they done to earn being recognized? If you give a kid something for just showing up, he/she will experience mental health issues as a result. I have personally heard all of those remarks (and then some), and after years of processing this issue have come away with the opinion that not only do participation awards not hurt kids in any meaningful way, they actually help with psychological development and overall mental health. Allow me to explain.
When a kid is recognized with a participation medal or certificate, she is being awarded for many important, yet often overlooked, human qualities. When kids don’t play much, they have to find ways to remain supportive, a good team member, and focused for whatever time they might get on the field. As you might imagine, this is not fun for kids who don’t play much, and in some cases it is downright agonizing. Still, these kids press on, and support the team unconditionally.
A participation award can be confirming in the sense that your involvement really matters; motivating in the sense that you can now see what it takes to get better; and galvanizing as it applies to resiliency knowing that you made it through a very mentally challenging season. All of these experiences can lead to better overall human development — not mental health problems and weak character development. You can take my word on it (a mental health clinician who sees kids daily for 30+ years), or you can believe a random Facebook meme making fun of young athletes who earn participation ribbons.
But the benefits don’t stop there — kids who earn a participation award often feel a part of the team, and as a result their social circle grows and they make more friends. Additionally, when kids are excited to continue playing a sport, it provides structure, teaches life skills, and recent studies have even shown that kids who play sports are less likely to get in trouble, or join gangs. If a small reward can do all of those things, and not harm a kid in any noticeable way, why wouldn’t we praise kids 100% committed to the team, even if they don’t play?
Final thoughts
Not every kid can play in youth sports, but all kids can play a positive, instrumental role toward team success. While it is often overlooked, kids who regularly attend practices and work hard carry a heavy mental load knowing that in all likelihood they still won’t get to play. These kids should be acknowledged, encouraged, and rewarded! Lets stop with the nonsense that we are damaging kids for simply giving them a tip of the cap for being a great team member.
drstankovich.com
