I frequently pass other martial arts schools by and see trophies stacked five high in the windows. (I suspect that most of these are bought from Trophy Depot merely for effect.) I also often see signs advertising specials such as this:
"$99 Introductory Program - Includes Trophy!"
I am confused. Are we now teaching children that they deserve knee-high, glistening trophies for doing nothing but coming to class as ordered to by their parents? Do parents really see these signs and get excited rather than realizing that a school such as this obviously can't teach the finer points of honor and respect if they give out trophies like candy?
On Monday, we gave one of our students, a ten year-old who has been at our school for two or three months, a coveted award pin. (The students pin their awards to their collars.) Why? Not for excellent ability or memorizing a form, though we sometimes give awards out for that too.
The student received the award because he was not feeling well, but he came to class regardless because he needed to practice for our upcoming demonstration event. He knew that there were other people counting on him, and that the right thing to do was to come to class.
The pins are fairly simple - his depicted the yin and yang - compared to the huge, gaudy trophies that most students at other schools receive... but if I were a parent I'd take a rarely given, well-deserved award over a meaningless showpiece any day.
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