In her article “Not Every Kid Deserves a Present”, Karin Fuller discusses important issues that are rife with the question of whether all children should get rewards. Evaluating a number of examples, the author comes to a conclusion that it is not wise to present all children with equal prizes despite the efforts they invested, and the results they achieved. Overall, the main idea of the article is the fact that children should deserve what they receive, and they should work hard for it.
Fuller begins her line of reasoning by addressing the example of her own daughter. Her daughter received a soccer trophy that she did not deserve. The girl did not struggle to get it nor did she want to have the trophy, but she was given it because the school management decided so. The decision was based on the principle of equality that became so popular and so important nowadays as a result of the heated fight with discrimination and bias.
After the discussion of her daughter’s example, Fuller provides two more examples of the other mothers with their sons. In their situations, the two mothers were disappointed because of the fact that their sons did not receive prizes. However, the situation was the same; the two boys never worked enough to deserve the rewards. Therefore, it was absolutely fair that these boys did not get their rewards. Again two mothers addressed the principle of equality promoted in the United States nowadays as a helpful tool which might be the reason for acquiring rewards by their children.
Following the details of the two cases, the author shares her vision of the principle of equality. She explains that this principle applies neither to her daughter’s situation nor to the situation of the two boys. According to Fuller (2011, par. 11), ‘by bolstering self-esteem across the board, we’re sending the message that self-esteem is more important than hard work and achievement. But ultimately, high self-esteem doesn’t guarantee success. That takes self-discipline, self-reliance, and self-control. This means that self-esteem should come from a different source than the unfair rewarding of someone who does not strive to be rewarded.
To support her conclusion regarding the principle of equality, the author discusses a few more examples from real life. Then, she sums them up saying that to get a prize, a child should work hard; otherwise the prize has no meaning and does not meet its real purpose. Fuller admits that the happiness of a parent and a child is much bigger when the prize is received due to the efforts invested. She reveals her hope concerning her daughter’s future success in the following comment, ‘someday I hope to hear my daughter say proudly, “Look what I won!” instead of her usual, “Look what I got” (Fuller, 2011, par. 18).
In conclusion, critically reflecting on the article under consideration, I should say that I completely agree with the argument presented by the author. The modern-day ideology of equality and the importance of self-esteem by all means has a number of faults. Instead of meeting its purpose to help forming a personality that will help a child to become a winner, it offers a fake belief that he or she is the best; but this is the idea that will be ruined as soon as a real challenge will appear.
Reference
Fuller, K. (2011). Not Every Kid Deserves a Prize. Web.