Hey, hey, hey! Don't get all sentimental and serious on me, I was just poking fun.
While I don't agree with "participation trophies", the thing I do agree with is the idea of a kid being able to accept that they tried hard and had fun with something without having to actually do well at it.
In other words, how do you get kids to understand their participation was good without needing to make them feel like a "winner"? It's actually a tough thing and situation, IMO. Mostly on the parents to instill a good attitude, I would say.
I know this is all completely off topic... but I mean... something something BBQ. There, now we're back on track.
I agree. There is a lot of ifs/ands/buts to this, but if a kid tries, it kind of sucks to called a loser (technically true, but the connotation is much worse) for not reaching victory.
EDIT: there is a difference between being told you lost and being told you are a loser.