Are Parents raising wussy Children?

I am raising four boys, and I am anything but "yuppy". However, I do not agree entirely with your statement. My boys are very competitve. They compete with each other, they compete in sports, and they compete in school. They are 17, 14, 11, and 9. When they were young (4 or 5), we did try to teach them that winning isn't everything. I never remember them getting a larger trophy when they lost!

The point isn't to teach them not to be competitive, the idea is to teach them to respect others and not "rub it in" when they do win. They will have plenty of time to develop that "competitive edge" as they get older.

By your last comment, I can only assume that your parents failed to teach you respect. Call me what you will, I don't EVER what my boys to disrespect ANYONE like that!!!!!!

Boy you turned out well, didn't you! My answer to your question is just this - Look At The Parents! - children Are the Reflection of the 4 walls in which they are raised"! and "the Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree". So when you are 65 like me, that's if you live that long with the way the World is now! Lets hear how you feel then. Children Are the product of What Society Makes Them. Go Out, Coach some teams, if you have money, put it where it will do best, help the kids in your Own neighbourhood! You know, my Mother, God rest her sole, always lived by this saying: "If you Can't say something Nice, Don't say ANYTHING!" (say her name and she lives, Phyllis) Thank you and Good Luck through your journey of Life.

Too much coddling going on- I agree. Losing a race/game/contest/fight/argument with grace is an art that is now seemingly lost. The reasoning behind all of the "there are no losers" ideology is not to damage anyones self esteem. Well, in my opinion, you gain self esteem by losing sometimes. Thats how real life is. I also think kids can see right through the trophies for people who didn't exactly win. We used to call them consolation prizes (sorry, but you didn't WIN). We aren't doing our kids any favors by rewarding nothing.

I see your point and there are some cases where parents do this, but for the most part that is not how it works. Regardless of what is being taught, when these kids go outside and play football or something, they are very vindictive at times and competitive. As a parent, I try to teach my 2 boys to be good sports but to be very proud of their accomplishments and to try to be the best at what they are doing. I try to teach them if they help someone who is not as good to get better, someone may do the same for them. But you are correct by implying that passive people get trampled on. If you don't teach your child a balance between being competitive and being good sports, then they will be one bad extreme or the other.

I think that you have some very valid points. Not all parents raise their children that way. Some parents try to teach their children to strive for success. However, telling them that winning is the most important thing in life and being disappointed that they lose will only teach them that you only expect perfection from them. I think, just like anything else in life, you have to instill the idea of balance in a child. Yes, it is great to win in life and games and such. However, finishing a task that you have started is sometimes more important than winning.

Hmm interesting, were as I agree with the start of you message, the ending leaves me to believe you have some angst against women....probably because you got your a#$ kicked by one and you got the bigger trophy for being the loser! Wus....

LOL...I think you hit the "nail on the head"! Enough PC already! Life is tough, life is NOT fair, learn it young....learn it well!

Anything worth gaining (whether it be sports, academics, jobs) you have to work at and fight for, and you might lose sometimes! But that will make you stronger for the next go round.

Sleazy, what is your problem? You actually start to make sense and then you put some ridiculous comment in the mix. This seems to be your nature from past comments and questions. Is their an underlying issue? Like perhaps schizophrenia or severe bi-polar? Why do you hate women soooo much?

You're completely wrong. You can be competitive without getting into a war. Loosers should be respected. No one can win all the time.

Your ideas would turn life in helll. Solidarity is essential in our world

You have hit the nail on the head. Parents these days, especially the yuppy types are creating their own little monsters with a distorted sense of the real world. I shudder to think what these kids will grow up to be!!!!