Family

[Nyboy]

Being picked 1st in gym, might be great, but being picked last in front of peers can be bad.

 

[digitS']

Of course there are different measures and meanings of success. Some are widely acknowledged, like athletic wins or making $.

Others may be as simple as "fitting in."

We may have started this discussion with the measure of how widely one's genetic material is scattered.

I would argue that slacking is a serious measure by the permanent standards of about half the human race. I think the historical record bears this out.

Steve

 

[so lucky]

You hit the nail squarely, aftermidnight. Schools have long moved to Participation awards rather than winners in first, second,third, etc. There are schools who travel from place to place with inter-school sports that fail to keep score or announce a winning team. The Wisconsin High School Athletic Association has passed new rules that figuratively gag students watching the game. No cheering for your team's points. No comments when the other team is scoring or attempting to score. That might "hurt the feelings' of the opposing team.

In the silence of the bleachers fewer and fewer students attend for fear of blurting out something that will get them in trouble with the school. Indeed, one athlete was suspended for suggesting her option for (on FaceBook) where the WAA could put their new rules.

@Smart Red , what hairbrained Wisconsonion thought up that ridiculous rule?
We have been going to my step-grand daughters' third and fifth grade basketball games, and the audience enthusiasm is fantastic. My step-daughter assured me that the competition doesn't make the girls more aggressive or mean. And they learn to lose as well as win with grace.

 

[Smart Red]

It all started with taking competition out of gym class. For some kids it was the only place to be picked first and excel. Feeling good about your self does not make you succeed. Overcoming the teacher who told you you would never succeed was what gave many of us successful strength. "I'll show Them!"

Cat, I remember a student my father had in fifth grade. He was a constant problem both inside and outside the classroom. Dad issued dire predictions for his future. Of course, that was the boy I (at third grade) had a crush on.

Well, I met him again in College. He was on his third major and doing great. He said it was my dad telling him he'd end up in prison by the time he was 21 if he didn't make some changes that somehow 'reached him' and got him where he was. He wanted me to thank my dad.

 

[seedcorn]

When I coached T ball, we never kept score or outs(with exception of one anal FB coach) but at end of game, kids knew who won and lost. They keep score.