OT - New respect for James Harrison (Pittsburgh Steelers)

[T2Kplus10]

As a parent in this circumstance:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/1...ids-participation-trophies-says-awards-earned

Good job! Time to end the wussification of America.

 

[RU205]

How old are his kids?

I agree with him if his kids are teens, but if they are 5, 6 , 7 or 8 I disagree. For many little kids, getting the trophy at the end of the season gives them a positive experience and they want to continue playing.

 

[Caliknight]

I would find out first if my kids were going to play in a participation league. Then I'd find another.

 

[beaced]

How old are his kids?

I agree with him if his kids are teens, but if they are 5, 6 , 7 or 8 I disagree. For many little kids, getting the trophy at the end of the season gives them a positive experience and they want to continue playing.

Age doesn't matter.He is absolutely correct about earning rewards.We are all not equal in size .shape,intelligence and abilities. But we can all enjoy participation for the sake of participating.If the kids don't like what they are doing then they can find something else that they can try and that they will like more.

 

[JQRU91]

How old are his kids?

I agree with him if his kids are teens, but if they are 5, 6 , 7 or 8 I disagree. For many little kids, getting the trophy at the end of the season gives them a positive experience and they want to continue playing.

I looked it up online. His kids seem to be ages eight and six.

 

[anon_0k9zlfz6lz9oy]

Good for him. My kids will be gronk spiking any participation trophies that they receive

 

[SC1221]

How old are his kids?

I agree with him if his kids are teens, but if they are 5, 6 , 7 or 8 I disagree. For many little kids, getting the trophy at the end of the season gives them a positive experience and they want to continue playing.

It also cultivates a sense of entitlement and "I'm special" syndrome. It's basically scientifically proven that participation awards and things of that nature overall have a much more negative effect on children's development than positive. Real Sports did a great piece on this topic.

 

[FlintTown]

It also cultivates a sense of entitlement and "I'm special" syndrome. It's basically scientifically proven that participation awards and things of that nature overall have a much more negative effect on children's development than positive. Real Sports did a great piece on this topic.

I doubt the study applies to 8 year olds.

 

[rubaseball78]

I agree with him. Just observing my daughters when they received participation trophies. When they were young, participation trophies didn't mean anything and they got tossed to the back of the closet. Trophies and medals they won are out on their shelves.

 

[Caliknight]

It also cultivates a sense of entitlement and "I'm special" syndrome. It's basically scientifically proven that participation awards and things of that nature overall have a much more negative effect on children's development than positive. Real Sports did a great piece on this topic.

Saw that too. Anyone who thinks this is remotely good needs to watch that.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Good for him! I completely agree with this participation trophy crap - just teaches absolutely the wrong thing.

 

[RUMBA-JK]

Harrison can & will do what ever he wants - and it is pretty much of a sure thing that his kids have a decidedly different perspective on many aspects of sports. Figure that they probably have a substantial understanding of how the games are played - and have been exposed to a lot more than the average kid.
A big gaudy Trophy for simply showing up is silly
- but in the 6-7-8-9 year old levels, some modest tangible token of recognition for their successful completion of the season is reasonable (and should not be treated disparagingly) , for their commitment to show up and participate in every game & practice - and for increasing their understanding of the game & working on their skill sets is a good idea - the goal of that level of play is to learn the game, build an understanding of the fundamentals and most of all - learn to enjoy it - develop a love of the game ... a small memento to commemorate the season is a good thing - and the larger trophies then get handed out to the championship team / player.
.... this is like in high school - the kids who show up, put in the work, practice every day - but barely play - will get a 'certificate of participation' and some kind words from the coach about how important their contribution to the total team has been - they make practice competitive & they contribute in their own way ....
Then the kids who see significant time on the field & make major game contributions get Varsity letters.

 

[mychaljohn]

Scientifically proven. Ha.

 

[RU205]

I look at it a little differently. I was one of few parents trying to run a youth softball league. Besides trying to teach the game and make sure the kids had fun, we also needed to retain kids year over year. We needed to make sure we had enough kids to fill out the league. This includes the good, average and bad players. The bad players give the league enough bodies to form enough teams.

Ages 10+ had no interest in the participation trophies and 100% like the trophies when they won. Some kids under 10 didn't care for them either but some did, especially the 6 and 7 year olds. I know for a fact that we retained kids year over year because of the trophies and that helped sustain our league. We never had a kid leave the league because they received a participation trophy. If they didn't want one they just passed it off to the parents.

I did have parents complain about handing out participation trophies , but those were always the parents that dropped the kid off and didn't volunteer. when running league you need to think about all of the kids to make sure they sign up again next year. If the trophies can get a handful to resign up that may be the difference of 1 more team in the league.

 

[RUInsanity]

Of course to some everything in life is absolute. If your kid plays TBALL and gets a participation trophy in Kindergarten at age 5 while in a league that is about fundamentals and not keeping score......he/she will be scarred for life as it must mean every league from that point on will be partitipation based. LOL.

Only kindergarten sports in my town are participation based....and quite frankly it makes no difference to me. As a parent I'm responsible for raising my kids and not deferring to some youth sports league as a cop out for blaming "wussification"on. To me any blame with how our youth turn out comes down to us as parents. Any parent including Harrison is welcome to get actively involved in the administration, facilitation and/or coaching of their children's activities. If you live in an area with non competitive activities you have choices as a parent, get involved to change them, place your children elsewhere, move.

PS. To put this in perspective. Harrison's kids were participating in The Next Batch foundation track club which is a non profit organization started by Charlie Batch in honor of his sister who was killed in a gang crossfire. The original intent of this foundation was to keep kids off the street and focused on school and activities.

 

[Ru2bnj]

Actually...I don't think "wussifacation" is a description of the current state of events. In fact, I believe it is "Machismo" run amok. The gun violence among young people is absurd. I don't think we need to insist that young people prove how "tough they are'...the problem to me is for people to relax and not try to solve everything by force. Being a "man" isn't about killing people...it's about putting other things above yourself. A lot of people just don't get it.

 

[MoreCowbellRU]

Actually...I don't think "wussifacation" is a description of the current state of events. In fact, I believe it is "Machismo" run amok. The gun violence among young people is absurd. I don't think we need to insist that young people prove how "tough they are'...the problem to me is for people to relax and not try to solve everything by force. Being a "man" isn't about killing people...it's about putting other things above yourself. A lot of people just don't get it.

Killing people? Really dude?
Get a life.

You pulled gun violence out of not liking participation trophies? This is why folks like you can not be taken seriously. I hope to God you are just a troll trying to get a rise out of people. If you actually think this way, Lord help us.

 

[SleepingGiantIsAwake]

Killing people? Really dude?
Get a life.

You pulled gun violence out of not liking participation trophies? This is why folks like you can not be taken seriously. I hope to God you are just a troll trying to get a rise out of people. If you actually think this way, Lord help us.

+1 .....LOL.

 

[j_rc_93]

I understand the disapproval of participation trophies, however, this is the wrong way to do it. Someone mentioned studies about the negative effects of participation trophies? Well, taking something of value (in the eyes of your child) away from a young child and telling that child that the award received is worthless will surely do more damage to the development of the child than receiving the trophy. Will taking a trophy away from a kid inspire the kid to work harder? Maybe-for a competitive kid. However, for most kids taking away the trophy can develop a sense of distrust or resentment towards the father for taking something away from the kid that the kid believes they earned.

You don't believe in participation trophies? Fine, teach the value to your child and when the trophy is offered, they should accept graciously then when they get home, drop it in the trash. Taking the trophy away from the child to prove your point is not the way to do it.

Ironically, posting this decision on Instagram is the ultimate participation trophy. Why didn't Harrison do this in private? Because he is looking for the pat on the back, good jobs to reinforce his actions.

 

[MADHAT1]

Killing people? Really dude?
Get a life.

You pulled gun violence out of not liking participation trophies? This is why folks like you can not be taken seriously. I hope to God you are just a troll trying to get a rise out of people. If you actually think this way, Lord help us.

Participation trophies for gunfighters , that's something to think about.

 

[RU205]

Well this took an odd turn

 

[JPhoboken]

Here, Here............... agreed with everything he said and completely disagree with those who applaud participation medals. Kids can learn that not everyone wins, they can try harder to win next time, and these lesson will prepare them for the real world. Not saying kids shouldn't encouraged to participate, but do it with refreshments, no need for participation trophies.

Kids are not going to be psychologically screwed up because they didn't get a medal for 4th place. My god, we coddle our kids today.

 

[ruhudsonfan]

Participation trophies for gunfighters , that's something to think about.

I have a closet full of those...

 

[SC1221]

I doubt the study applies to 8 year olds.

The study was about the effects it has on young children, even younger than 8. That's the whole point, it affects their development much more intensely.

 

[SC1221]

Scientifically proven. Ha.

Yea, children psychology, what an obscure subject. Colleges definitely don't have departments for that...

 

[RUInsanity]

The study was about the effects it has on young children, even younger than 8. That's the whole point, it affects their development much more intensely.

Do you have a link to the study (not Real Spoirts - but the actual study). You made the claim that it has been scientifically proven, I would like to read up on it. Thanks.

 

[Knight_Light]

As a parent in this circumstance:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/1...ids-participation-trophies-says-awards-earned

Good job! Time to end the wussification of America.

I just puked when the 37 yr old ESPN Radio host Jorge Sedano, filling in for Mike Greenberg this AM, tried to agree with Golic who said he never ever had participation trophies and think its a terrible idea, Sedano replied (paraphrase): "Yeah, I agree...only those that finish 1st thru 5th should get trophies."

5th place gets a trophy??? WTF? (Probably for leagues with 8-10 teams)

 

[Knight_Light]

- but in the 6-7-8-9 year old levels, some modest tangible token of recognition for their successful completion of the season is reasonable (and should not be treated disparagingly).....

Sure...token of recognition I always got was from my parents, after every single game (let alone a season) as both of my parents were at most of my games...home or away.

In regard to team recognition...it was called orange slices at halftime and jugs of powder gatorade and that was enough.

Fortunately for me, I was pretty good at all sports (baseball, basketball, soccer and swimming) so I was one scores of school, travel and rec teams and we won scores of championships.

 

[ruhudsonfan]

I don't make much of a big deal about it either way.

My older son has wrestled, competed in judo, played rec soccer, flag football and basketball. In judo, it's simple. You don't place you don't get jack shit, other than maybe a t-shirt commemorating the tournament. Wrestling is most often the same, though sometimes there are tournament trophies. In the past, he's been excited about those for an hour or so and then doesn't much care. Fortunately for him, while not a superstar, he can usually place if he limits mental mistakes. Most sports through my town's rec have some sort of participation recognition attached. He definitely values those things less than judo or wrestling medals he's actually earned. I wouldn't say the trophies are "hindering" his development though. Maybe he is different, because he has to put up with me. lol

I think an equally important issue surrounding rec sports is the deemphasis on competition (not keeping score, who wins doesn't matter, etc) and promoting the idea that the sport is a glorified play date (play dates are another concept which infuriate me, by the way). The kids and the parents are more concerned about the post game snack, rather than how the kids competed, whether they showed sportsmanship and teamwork. And heaven forbid you get involved and try and upset the apple cart of the social event mindset. It isn't pretty in my town. I ran a practice in the head coach's absence and actually required the kids to not fart around and be quiet during drills. The head coach got about 5 emails complaining. lol

I saw the Real Sports episode and generally agree with the study's findings. I would stop short of saying, "scientifically proven" though. Perhaps this research forms the groundwork for more research down the road.

 

[redlinehw]

As a parent in this circumstance:

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/1...ids-participation-trophies-says-awards-earned

Good job! Time to end the wussification of America.

Very informal observation after years of coaching young kids (up to about 10-11 yrs old) sports. IMO there tends to be a correlation between the parents of kids who are taller, faster, more coordinated and better players and the parents that are bothered by kids getting a trophy. It is as if the parents of these kids are offended that another kid gets a trophy equal to their kids when their kid is the better athlete/better player.