Isn't it terrible when they have some sport and every kid gets a trophy.
It teaches them all the wrong lessons.

James Harrison is by far not the first top point out this problem, and
he's right. "When he found out his sons were given such trophies, he
demanded that they be sent back. Harrison believes that a trophy should
be something you earn by being the best, not something you receive just
for trying."

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...tion-trophies/

'While I am very proud of my boys for everything they do and will
encourage them till the day I die, these trophies will be given back
until they EARN a real trophy. I’m sorry I’m not sorry for believing
that everything in life should be earned and I’m not about to raise two
boys to be men by making them believe that they are entitled to
something just because they tried their best...cause sometimes your best
is not enough, and that should drive you to want to do better...not cry
and whine until somebody gives you something to shut u up and keep you
happy"

And you know, he's right.

But who else does this?


Why it's the US Armed Forces.

United States service medals of the World Wars are U.S. military medals
which were created solely for recognizing service in the First World War
and World War II. (I've only explained a few of them, but others are
simlar.)

American Defense Service Medal
The medal was intended to recognize those military service members who
had served on active duty between September 8, 1939 and December 7,
1941.
Women's Army Corps Service Medal

Campaign medals
American Campaign Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

Occupation medals
Army of Occupation of Germany Medal
Army of Occupation Medal
Navy Occupation Service Medal
"Awarded to commemorate the services of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast
Guard personnel in the occupation of certain territories of the enemies
of the U.S. during World War II"[2] and recognized those personnel who
participated in the European and Asian occupation forces during, and
following World War II. The medal was also bestowed to personnel who
performed duty in West Berlin between 1945 and 1990.
Medal for Humane Action
The medal recognizes those military service members who performed
extended duty in support of the Berlin Airlift.

Victory medals
World War I Victory Medal
World War II Victory Medal
The medal was awarded to any member of the United States military,
including members of the armed forces of the Government of the
Philippine Islands, who served on active duty, or as a reservist,
between December 7, 1941 and December 31, 1946

Then there's the Korean Service Medal,
awarded for military service within territorial limits or service that
directly supported the military efforts in Korea.

And the Korea Defense Service Medal,
first created in 2002 when it was signed into law by President George W.
Bush, authorized for those members of the United States Armed Forces who
have served duty in South Korea after the signing of the Korean
Armistice Agreement in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea.
To qualify for the KDSM, a service member must have served at least
thirty consecutive days in the Korean theater. The medal is also granted
for 60 non-consecutive days of service which includes reservists on
annual training in Korea.

And of course the Good Conduct Medal, either Army, Navy, Marine
Corps, Air Force. or Coast Guard

The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the
United States Armed Forces. The U.S. Navy's variant of the Good Conduct
Medal was established in 1869, the Marine Corps version in 1896, the
Coast Guard version in 1923, the Army version in 1941, and the Air Force
version in 1963; the Air Force Good Conduct Medal was discontinued from
February 2006 to February 2009.
The medal is awarded to any active-duty enlisted member of the
United States military who completes three consecutive years of
"honorable and faithful service".
During times of war, the Good Conduct Medal may be awarded for one
year of faithful service.

So even in 1869, sailors would get a medal just for showing good
conduct!

And I'm pretty sure I've left out some. If you don't have one you're
entitled to, go to webpages like
http://www.dmzwar.com/koreamedalcoldwarcert.html

In fact some say that when Jacob's 12 sons went off to summer camp, they
got trophies just for being on the archery team, even if they couldn't
shoot worth a darn. (FWIW, only 6 could go at one time because there
were chores to do at home.)

So I guess those yuppie parents who want their little darlings to get a
trophy just for showing up have a long string of examples to go by.