#HarrisonFamilyValues

[*PhilHos*]

(08-19-2015, 09:08 AM)xxlt Wrote: Perhaps in your mind and Harrison's mind, if all you care about it is you got a trophy then you slack off. Not in mine and many others.

Maybe putting it in another context would help. If you cooked a meal and it was edible but not your best ever would you throw it out or eat it? I would eat it, but I would try to do better next time. It would seem by your and Harrison's logic that you would either throw out the meal or eat it and quit trying to cook better.

If your girl (or guy) gave you a hummer and you did not think it was the best one you had ever received would you still show some gratitude. It seems you and Harrison would not, because you would not want your lover to get complacent. I think a normally programmed person would show gratitude. Saying, "Thanks for the hummer," even though it wasn't the best one you ever got is equivalent to giving a participation trophy.

I am sorry that is anathema to you and Harrison but I am happy to recognize the efforts of all kids who play sports, all who try to feed me a decent meal, and all who try to gratify me physically. I will risk complacency in the name of decency.

Your analogies are far from analogous. We're talking about competition, not regular, day-to-day activities.

You ever watch American Idol back when the judges were Simon, Randy, and Paula? Ever notice that all the contestants were constantly seeking Simon's approval and not the other two? Know why? 'Cause Paula and Randy always said nice things to everyone. Simon only said nice things when they were deserved. It meant more to get nice words from Simon because he didn't give nice words to everyone.

With that said, I don't have a problem with participation trophies for younger children, but at a certain age, they become meaningless.