Some people think that a sense of competition in children should be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught to co-operate rather than compete become more useful adults. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

It is often argued that children should be motivated to be more competitive, while others feel that cooperation is a more important value to instill in youngsters.

This

essay will discuss both these views, before coming to the conclusion that they are equally valid. It is important that young people are pushed to be the best they can possibly be, in whatever pursuit they take part in.

This

drive to win boosts their work ethic and teaches them that hard work and discipline are the keys to success.

For example

, it was shown in a recent study by Queen’s University that students who won something in sports before they reached the age of 14, were 42% more likely to go on to

third

-level education than those who did not. Despite

this

, the development of a child requires not only a will to win, but

also

lessons on the value of teamwork. Working as part of a

team

strengthens our empathy, selflessness and make us more responsible toward others. If one were to want to win at the expense of those around us, it is likely that we would alienate our peers and become detached from any

team

we operate in.

For example

, Michael Jordan was often criticised by his coaches for being too competitive in practice and overly critical of his

team mates

a fellow member of a team

teammates

and he had to change for the sake of his

team

. In conclusion, our young ones should be taught to try their best to achieve their goals, but

this

should

also

be balanced with the importance of working with others. Both are equally important and will result in a more balanced young adult.