Reward is based on what???

[Frame57]

I have a liberal friend who likes to discuss politics with me. We were chatting about his grandkids playing in little league baseball. He was bragging about how all the kids get trophies these days. I asked, "all the kids?" Yep! They get a trophy whether they come in last or first. I told him I thought that was BS. He told me that they get it for participating. Again I said "BS". Trophies are for winners I told him. The reward the kids get for participating is that they get to PLAY BALL. They also get a cap and jersey. Have we produced sissies that need to be stroked at every turn in their life? There was a time when performance was rewarded rather than this mindset that everyone needs to be stroked whether or not they perform. This bothers me because where does it stop? I see this trend in corporate business as well. A CEO can shipwreck a company and be set for life, it is called a golden parachute. Maybe if we start out with our kids and they get that success should be merited on performance we will stop churning out sloths that expect reward for just showing up.

[Platapus]

They give trophies to all the kids for two reasons

1. It keeps the kids motivated to stay on the team

2. It keeps the parents motivated to continue paying.

If the kid loses interest, the money stops coming in
If the parents lose interest, the money stops coming in

The trophies are just a financial investment.
I don't think it is socially any deeper than that.

Follow the money

[August]

Originally Posted by Platapus

They give trophies to all the kids for two reasons

1. It keeps the kids motivated to stay on the team

2. It keeps the parents motivated to continue paying.

If the kid loses interest, the money stops coming in
If the parents lose interest, the money stops coming in

The trophies are just a financial investment.
I don't think it is socially any deeper than that.

Follow the money

I think you've nailed the reason but I think Frame is talking more about the unintended effect.

[Torplexed]

I think the goal is to breed a new type of super-soldier who demands a medal for throwing down his rifle and fleeing at the sight of the enemy.

"Hey! At least I showed up didn't I?"

[GoldenRivet]

when i played little league football, you got a little wooden plaque for participating.

if you made it through playoffs and placed in the division you got trophies of various sizes depending on whether or not you placed 2nd 3rd etc

if you won a bowl game, you got a t-shirt, a HUGE trophy with the names of all the team members on it, and each player on the team got a series of ribbons - each ribbon stating the position they played which came looped around the trophy.

its called incentive - a kid has to want to do better

this trophies to everyone BS raises kids to believe that no matter how poorly or how majestically they perform the level of reward will be equal.

like it or not, this BS sticks with little kids until they become adults.

its pathetic

[SteamWake]

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

when i played little league football, you got a little wooden plaque for participating.

if you made it through playoffs and placed in the division you got trophies of various sizes depending on whether or not you placed 2nd 3rd etc

if you won a bowl game, you got a t-shirt, a HUGE trophy with the names of all the team members on it, and each player on the team got a series of ribbons - each ribbon stating the position they played which came looped around the trophy.

its called incentive - a kid has to want to do better

this trophies to everyone BS raises kids to believe that no matter how poorly or how majestically they perform the level of reward will be equal.

like it or not, this BS sticks with little kids until they become adults.

its pathetic

So all the kids get the same trophy?

I dont mind seeing kids get rewarded for participating. I dont see equal reward accross the board. Sorry kid, maybe a spelling bee is for you