Today’s rewards mislead children

Visit a county fair and examine the 4-H exhibits. Notice that most entries have a blue ribbon. A blue ribbon was once an indication of exceptional achievement. Attend a high school graduation and note that perhaps four students out of a graduating class of 70 are honored as valedictorians. Not so many years ago, it would have been one. Are our current graduates that much smarter?

Examine the grades given in our public schools and you will find that most grades assigned are either an A or a B. Not the case when I was in school. Watch a children's soccer game where no score is officially kept. I guess everybody won.

People who support the trends above would probably say that they represent a better way to educate our young people since the glory is shared and self-esteem of the participants is enhanced.

I suggest that we are conditioning our children to believe that achievement and rewards do not need to be accompanied by significant effort. Rewards for achievement are cheapened by assigning them promiscuously. What then becomes of the desire to expend tremendous effort to achieve amazing results?

The thrill of victory is replaced by a shallow self-satisfaction that reflects little in the way of emotional gratification or personal growth.

Robert J. Boes

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