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Does Competition Help or Hurt Young People

There is no yes or no answer to this question it is a gray area. There are many variables to consider for one age. Young children are not as competitive as many older children. In most cases young people excel with challenges but there are those few that do not do well under pressure and are not competitive. Failure for these young people causes even lower self-esteem. In today's society we place so much pressure on our young people from state testing in school to extra curricular activities that there is no wonder that many of our young people are on anti-depressants and medication for attention deficit disorders.
Whereas competition prepares our young people for the realities of real life, challenges and setting goals it should be handled in moderation. What works for one child will not necessarily work for another. Each child is different and some are competitive where others are not.
Competitions should have rewards and the feelings of emotions associated with failures need to be handled with care, not everyone wins. Many parents place such pressure on their youngsters that failure is not an option and this lowers a young persons self worth. When a young person feels like a failure and that they cannot achieve their goals then they begin to feel as though they cannot win at anything. In many cases these young people will turn to drugs or alcohol developing even more problems.
The rules of any competition should be explained in detail and understood by these young people. The incentives need to be rewarding and praise should be offered to these young people from their parents and peers. Even when these youngsters do not win the competition or game their parents and peers need to voice the things that they did do well. This will increase good sportsmanship in the young person and they will learn to excel through their failures by improving on their weaknesses without feeling pressured. Praise works with any youngster regardless of age. It increases their self worth and will keep them competitive today and for all the tomorrows that will follow them wherever they go.

Learn more about this author, Michelle Strickland.
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