This assignment is written in response to the text “The Case Against Competition” by Alfie Kohn. In this text, originating in 1987, the author addresses American parents in order to argue that competition is inherently destructive for children and should be avoided (Kohn). The author states that competition undermines healthy self-esteem, as success is often defined as victory rather than true achievement (Kohn). Moreover, cooperation is suggested as an alternative to competition (Kohn). It can be said that the text presents a clear and well-supported argument against competition because it draws on evidence from various fields such as psychology, sociology, biology, and education (Kohn). Overall, the text can be considered effective, as the author’s argument against competition and in favor of cooperation is comprehensive, successfully swaying the reader.
To discuss the text, it is necessary to describe it in further detail. The text asserts that competition is detrimental to children’s self-esteem by making a child’s value dependent on external evaluation, such as winning or losing a game or race (Kohn). The text also claims that competition can lead to needing to compete in order to feel good about oneself and that it can lead to negative consequences such as decreased productivity (Kohn). In order to support the main point, the author cites the research from the time when the text was written. For instance, it is stated that the majority of the psychological studies were in favor of the viewpoint that collaboration is more beneficial for children than competition (Kohn). It can be concluded that the author makes points that are complete with evidence, effectively persuading the reader.
As the text was originally written more than 30 years ago, there are a number of ways one can assess the author’s statements regarding the usefulness of competition for children. In particular, the existing research on the topic can be used to evaluate the validity of the author’s claims. According to Witt and Dangi, the reasons why children drop out of sports include anxiety from being criticized, the pressure of coaches and parents, and burnout, among others (192, 193). These particular reasons can be attributed to the presence of competition in sports, which confirms the author’s claim that it is not beneficial for children (Kohn). Furthermore, Slee discusses how schools are becoming more competitive, to the detriment of students’ mental health (916). These studies are proof that the text, despite its age, can be supported by modern evidence.
In contrast, the text not only discusses the drawbacks of competition but also suggests cooperation as a better alternative. It is argued that it can lead to better self-esteem and more enjoyable experiences for children in school and at play (Kohn). The text suggests that cooperation allows children to feel better about themselves because it does not rely on the success or failure of others, and because it allows children to work with others rather than against them (Kohn). These statements can be similarly evaluated with the help of modern research. It has been shown that collaboration has a positive impact: children who become partners feel equal respect (Engelmann and Tomasello 454). This positive quality of collaboration aligns with the author’s view of it. Moreover, collaboration has been found to increase creativity in school students (Marcos et al.). In short, the positive effects of collaboration have been well studied, supporting the author’s claim that it can be seen as a valid alternative to competition.
In conclusion, the text presents a strong argument against competition. It provides detailed explanations of the negative impacts of competition on self-esteem and other aspects of development and well-being and presents alternatives to competition, such as cooperation. These ideas are interesting and thought-provoking for the readers, particularly if they have not previously considered the negative impacts of competition or the alternative approach of cooperation. The essay’s clear and well-supported argument and its use of evidence from multiple fields make it memorable for readers.
Works Cited
Engelmann, Jan M., and Michael Tomasello. “Children’s Sense of Fairness as Equal Respect.” Trends in Cognitive Sciences, vol. 23, no. 6, 2019, pp. 454–463. Web.
Kohn, Alfie. “The Case Against Competition.” Alfie Kohn, Web.
Marcos, Rafael Ibán Segundo, et al. “Promoting Children’s Creative Thinking Through Reading and Writing in a Cooperative Learning Classroom.” Thinking Skills and Creativity, vol. 36, 2020. Web.
Slee, Roger. “Belonging in an Age of Exclusion.” International Journal of Inclusive Education, vol. 23, no. 9, 2019, pp. 909–922. Web.
Witt, Peter A., and Tek B. Dangi. “Why Children/Youth Drop Out of Sports.” Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, vol. 36, no. 3, 2018, pp. 191–199. Web.