The Curse of Competition

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Imagine a world without competition, no winners or losers. Would anyone be motivated to work? To some, this sounds ideal, but competition is an essential component to any social structure. When we talk about sports, academics, or the business world, competition is the driving force that keeps us functioning at our best. Competition, in healthy amounts, is known to have several positive effects on children. Competition allows children to learn about their abilities and limitations, set goals, handle loss, and how to work with others. The lessons that children learn through competition stay with them throughout their lives and prove to be beneficial in academics and the workplace.

However, the world is quickly turning its back on the importance of competition. From schools eliminating the Valedictorian Award to the “everyone is a winner” motto used in most youth sports leagues, the diminishing value of competition in today’s world is evident. Some critics suggest that children should not be placed in scenarios that involve competition, as they signal out those who are more intelligent or more athletic than the rest. Critics feel eliminating competition will preserve confidence in youth, which also is essential to a child’s growth. Although the preservation of confidence is important in the development of children, the value of competition cannot be diminished in the process.

The benefits of competition may be most blatantly explained through the development of America. In the wake of World War II, the United States found itself in a struggle with the Soviet Union competing as the two superpowers in the world. The two countries vied for domination over the world’s beliefs as well as their economic policies. The ensuing battle wou...

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...ina State University, n.d. Web. 9 Mar. 2014.

Kohn, Alfie. "The Case Against Competition." The Case Against Competition. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.

Merryman, Ashley. "Losing is Good for You." The New York Times 24 Sept. 2013: A29. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.

O'Brien, Allison. "Competitive Nature and Endorphins: How Do They Effect Us?" Examiner.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2014.

Patterson, Kort E. "The Dynamics of Competition." The Dynamics of Competition. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

Richtel, Matt. "The Competing Views on Competition." The New York Times 8 Oct. 2012: D1. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

Statskey, Jessica. "Children Need to Play, Not Compete." Redwoods, n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. .

"The Launch of Sputnik, 1957." The Launch of Sputnik, 1957. U.S. Department of State, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

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