Quote:
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Originally Posted by Syndrome from The Incredibles
And when everyone's super, no one will be.
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I went to an awards thing for my daughter at the end of school year. She was receiving two awards - no huge deal. There were maybe 40 awards for the entire 7th grade. She was getting a math award and an MVP award for her 7th grade basketball team.
What angered me is that in almost every award given to anyone, the presenter (typically a teacher) would offer up "This doesn't mean that other kids didn't deserve this award" or some other such crap. It cheapens accomplishment and rather than making those who aren't getting an award feel better, it makes the person who actually earned it seem like their accomplishment wasn't really that great.
I have a view of self esteem that while, yes, we are all unique and have something unique to offer, special is something that sets us apart, and that is something that is earned. My daughter works very hard at basketball and has become a special player because of that. There is no better feeling than working at something and becoming good at it. That is where true self esteem comes from - knowing that you can do it it through perseverence and hard work.