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Competition is the underlying theme in all school activities, whether academic or athletic. But is this a good thing to teach our young people? In fact, is it good for anyone? It pits one person against another, making them combatants rather than team players. When I look at the schools today I don't see many happy kids. I see stressed out kids, unhappy kids, all growing up to be unhappy and stressed out adults.

Competition is the exact opposite of what Christians are taught to believe and do. The "Golden Rule" states simply that we must love our fellow man as we love ourselves. How can you do this if you are competing with him? How can we love him as we love ourselves when we are trying to outdo him, to be better than him, and in general tear him down so we can 'win'? Competition tears at the very fabric of civilized society making it a dog eat dog race in which there can be only a few winners. This is not a Christian way to live.

If we instill in our youngsters early in their life that being number one is the only acceptable place in life, we should not be surprised when they display utter contempt and disregard for their fellow students and later in life for their fellow workers. Many a path to the number one spot in life is littered with the 'bodies' of those who have been trampled under by the competitors.

I've heard all the arguments about how it encourages young people to strive to be the best but I disagree with this. It only puts undo stress on youngsters who already have enough stress in their lives. The huge number of teen suicides in our country each year should be telling us that something is wrong. Competition is overrated as a means to prod our children to do their best. Encouragement and support work much better and instill life long habits of ethical behavior toward all.

If we want to raise our children to be moral, ethical, hardworking, decent adults then we must stop making life one long competitive fight. We must encourage them to pursue their dreams alongside others, not through battering and humiliating competition, but through setting goals and reaching them.

Learn more about this author, Melba Dagan.
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