Everyone's A Winner Debate Part One

“I came home to find out that my boys received two trophies for nothing, participation trophies! While I am very proud of my boys for everything they do and will encourage them till the day I die, these trophies will be given back until they EARN a real trophy. I'm sorry I'm not sorry for believing that everything in life should be earned and I'm not about to raise two boys to be men by making them believe that they are entitled to something just because they tried their best...cause sometimes your best is not enough, and that should drive you to want to do better...not cry and whine until somebody gives you something to shut u up and keep you happy. #harrisonfamilyvalues”

            When this statement by Pittsburg Steelers outside linebacker, James Harrison, hit Instagram it started a media storm on the ‘everyone’s a winner’ debate.  This issue has been ongoing for years with researchers, parents, and coaches facing off towards each other.  All seem to have an opinion, but the question remains, is the ‘everyone’s a winner’ mentality really affecting society in a negative way?  Is there a middle ground to be explored or is the answer firmly attached to one side of this controversy?

            There have been arguments suggesting that political correctness, which has been around since the 1970’s, has contributed to the sensitivity of our culture instead of the resilience.  However, Carol Dweck, a social psychologist at Stanford University, has another idea.  Dweck is well known for her research in motivation, personality, and development.  In her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, she describes two types of mindsets.  One, the fixed mindset, where people believe in their own capabilities and feel it unnecessary or even impossible to change.   And two, the growth mindset where people believe their capabilities aren’t cemented and feel there’s room to grow and develop through endurance and hard work.  She claims that people should understand their mindset in order to better self-regulate their behavior.

            Dweck believes that society is focusing too much on the first mindset more than it encourages the second.  The late 1960’s brought about the “self –esteem movement” which Dweck thinks may have inspired our current ‘everyone’s a winner’ migration.

            There are those who find the word competition leaving a bad taste in their mouths.  They strive to defend the position that children don’t need the added pressure.  Society will eventually weigh them down as they mature naturally.  They argue there is no harm in rewarding everyone for participating.

            The flip side of the coin is filled with individuals who snarl in disgust at the thought of  such shallow rewards.  It’s a laughable notion to consider.  Such individuals believe improvement, motivation, and perseverance are needed to instill confidence.  This side believes in the teaching tools of failure and the triumph of well-earned success.