30 Days Until Bataan...The Thrill of Victory, and the Agony of Defeat...

"The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat." That phrase means something to those of us who are at least a little older, and remember watching ABC's Wide World of Sports on television. I do admit that I spent some time in front of the TV watching these sporting events. The sports they showed seemed to be particularly interesting, because they were not your run of the mill American sports like football, baseball, or basketball.

This is funny to an 8 year old kid.

 When you're an 8 year old kid, and you see some ol' boys sumo-wrestling on TV, it's funny. Little kids are easily entertained, and I was no different. For the younger readers of this blog that have no idea what I'm talking about, you can click HERE to see the introduction to one of the most well known sporting programs of the 1970's and 80's.


I read an article not too long ago by Dr. Kieth Ablow where he brought up the idea that many parents in our American society are harming their kids by shielding them from "the agony of defeat." The truth about life and sports is that some win and some lose. Some have the "thrill of victory" while others experience "the agony of defeat." That's just the way it is. However, if you look at the youth sports culture in our country today there are no losers. Everyone gets a trophy. No self esteems are damaged, and the dreaded "agony of defeat" is avoided. Kids today don't win some and lose some, they win 'em all. It also seems that there are enough "All Star" teams created to ensure that every kid gets on one. Gotta keep that self esteem in tact.

Problem is though, eventually the kid grows into a young adult and they (parents included in many cases) become painfully aware that they really aren't the undefeated champions of the world they thought they were. Reality sets in, and unfortunately the kid finds it easier not to enter the "Arena" at all than to risk losing. The fear of failure leads them to fall in with "those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." Let's encourage our kids get in the arena. Let 'em get their face marred with dust, sweat, and blood so they might know one day what the genuine thrill of victory feels like. That true thrill of victory must be earned and not given. Kids know that, and you can't fool them forever.

You read the article and decide for yourselves. Comments are welcome.
Memo To Parents: Stop Coddling Your Kids