How come kids get a trophy for everything these days?

I was enjoying a nice Saturday afternoon with my 6 year old working on the computer (after his baseball game and after he helped his little sister as he will be "well rounded" if it is the last thing I (or he) does; but I digress).

Forget the fact that he can search web sites, has his favorite pulldown menu and knows how to naviagte the control menu, I noticed his sports trophies...all SEVEN of them! We had to buy a side table to hold them as the top of his dresser became too crowded. He is 6!

What is it with trophies for just "showing up"? Is this good enough? It is certainly a positive step to "get started" but is this a good example for teenagers and young adults that as long as they show up they will be rewarded and all will be fine? Is this REALLY in the best interest for them down the line? What the heck happended to struggling, competing, winning, losing, celebrating, crying and challenging yourselves to be better? Is that not "in vogue" anymore?

Well it should be. Efforts like OCTANe Next, MIND Institute and other innovative groups focus on results and help PREPARE our youth in an "outcome driven way"; that is future careers and the hope that a high value job will enable them to have a good and productive life.

After all ... business is not an intramural sport.

Thoughts?