We can’t continue this. As a society, we cannot let this continue.

Though no scientific studies have been found to prove everything I am about to say, there are some things that just need to be said.

EVERYONE CAN’T BE A WINNER.

You just can’t. We need to stop with the tone that everyone gets a participation trophy or a medal for being on the team. It only stimulates the fact that we should be gifted for our efforts and that’s not entirely true.

We need failure in order to survive. We need to learn how to accept it and how to mold ourselves because of it. It’s a part of life and we have to be able to deal with, talk about and accept it. Maybe we aren’t hired for the job we wanted, maybe we don’t get into the school of our dreams, maybe who we consider to be our best friend doesn’t care about us as much, maybe we don’t make the team, or someone tells us no when we ask them to go to prom.

“It doesn’t matter if you win or lose, but how you play the game”.

You accept failure. You grow from it so that the next time you try that you’re more knowledgable and qualified. Or you realize that what you had originally planned isn’t in the books for you and it’s time to dedicate your time to something else, a new path.

We have to make this idea of everyone is a winner stop now before it’s too late. Kids need to learn how to accept defeat before it’s too late. They need to realize that they need to talk about it with someone instead of reacting by throwing a fit.

Participation trophies aren’t helping anyone because then what does anyone have to strive for? If every thing is supposed to be handed to us for simply trying, then what happens when we take the easy way out? If the kid that sits on the bench the entire year gets a trophy, then why should the kid in the outfield bust his butt?

It’s already developing. Have you seen the kid that tries to run “slow mo” to home base during a tee ball game. Not only does he feel inclined to do it, but when the coach directs him to run fast him the kid pushes him away and continues to do it.

What are we teaching our children when we allow them to think that just showing up gets you an award? I know it sucks to lose, but isn’t it important - if everyone’s a winner, have you really won anything at all?