Sorry Parents, Not Every Kid Can Play the Lead Role

I admit it – I am a biased father.  I think my kids are two of the greatest kids in the entire world, and I don’t mind telling anyone who will listen.  However, there is a danger in telling kids they are number one in all aspects of their lives.  For instance, one of my kids is much more athletic than the other, while the other one is much more successful academically. This isn’t anything to be ashamed of.  After all, it is this diversity that makes teams (and societies) great – members rely on the strengths of others, and vice versa.

A Side Effect of Political Correctness?

If we can agree that some kids are better at some things than others, why then must every child be treated with the same set of rewards and punishment?  Schools today often punish entire classes or grade-levels if standardized test scores are not met.  Conversely, entire classes are given rewards when many times individuals within the class fail the objective.  What happened to rewarding individual effort?  It seems to have been tossed out in the name of not hurting feelings.

In Japan, the entire cast of a school play was recently “awarded” the lead role in Snow White.  Must have been quite a sight – two dozen Snow Whites, but no dwarfs.  Apparently the school caved after parents fought administrators because they felt their child was most qualified to play the lead role.  What a ridiculous notion!  What’s next – Every kid gets to play quarterback on the football team, or each grade elects 167 “presidents” of the student council?  There’s nothing wrong with playing a supporting role.  In fact, some people have become very successful simply by helping leaders be more effective by being a great follower.

Kids today need to be given confidence boosters – no doubt about that.  But they also need to be told that they have strengths and weaknesses that make them unique. Encourage them to celebrate their individuality, because it seems society is moving more and more towards a collectivism that stifles competition, and discouraged individual thought.

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