Cook1 Caitlyn Cook Dr.

Cheryl Duffus Composition 101 November 13, 2013

Competition: Can be too much Competition can be detrimental to a person in a variety of ways. When it diminishes their self-esteem or pushes them to go beyond their limits. Furthermore competition can be harmful if it makes an individual feel as if they cannot succeed in any given area of life. It could very well be that a child has potential in a given field, but due to the competitive environment, they will choose to avoid a potential failure and instead concentrate on another area where they feel like they have a chance of success. Repeated blows to a young persons self-esteem in the form of perceived failure can cause defense mechanisms of avoidance, procrastination, or general lack of motivation. Research has indicated that encouraging role models in the form of coaches or teachers can have a significant impact on the motivation of children. If students can change their definition of success, they can be motivated to work harder. In strictly competitive environments, children are always comparing themselves to those around them, trying to be better than everyone else. Young people can do better and feel better, if they are working as a team and helping each other work toward a common goal. Team work or working toward a common goal encourages them to do their best instead of comparing themselves to others. And furthermore, they will have a much better chance to develop higher self-esteem and be

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more likely to try and improve their abilities. This is if they are not discouraged by the constant pressure that competition can produce. Some people say that true competition is more like a real world experience. But although the real world is flavored by competition, it is not ruled by it. Look at the amazing accomplishments that teams have contributed. Governments, companies, organizations, and families have done amazing things that could not be done by an individual alone. The real world is competitive, but not strictly so. Children do need to see the real world, but they need to experience it in a balanced way. They need to learn that you can be proficient at many things; and even if they are not the best at something, they can still succeed. We do not expect children to hold down a job, protect, or even care for themselves. We care for our children in a nurturing environment exposing them to the outside world a little at a time as they mature and grow up. Exposure to competition should be taken a step at a time as the child exhibits the maturity to handle the situation. Being competitive should not be the end goal but rather a maturing child slowly preparing them for the challenges of adulthood.

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Work Cited Anderson, Sylvia. When are sports too much? St. Joseph News-Press (MO) June 2012: Points of View Reference Center. Web. 1 Nov. 2013. Black, Susan. And the Winner Is American School Board Journal. Bulldog One Search, July 2005. Web. 1 Nov. 2013. Cody, Sarah. Sports Can Be Important, But One Size Doesn't Fit All. WTIC-TV (Hartford, CT). Oct 2011: Points of View Reference Center. Web. 1 Nov. 2013. London, Caroline Wilson. Force kids to do sport: Coates. Age, The (Melbourne). Aug 2012: Points of View Reference Center. Web. 1 Nov. 2013. Van de Pol, Pepijn K.C., and Kavussanu, Maria. Achievement Motivation Acros s Training and Competition in Individual and Team Sports. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology 1.2 2012: 91-105. Web. 1 Nov. 2013