The Bar for Achievement Has Hit a New Low
For Inktober prompts 27 (Dumb) and 28 (Trophy), I combined the two to poke fun at our new culture of mediocrity where showing up on time is apparently worthy of an award.
Somewhere along the way, we started confusing basic expectations with extraordinary accomplishments. Participation earns praise. Minimal effort earns recognition. And simply meeting the lowest standard becomes cause for celebration.
Encouragement matters. But children also need to learn that meeting expectations is the starting point, not the finish line.
If we celebrate the bare minimum as exceptional, we risk raising a generation that isn't prepared for the demands of the real world.
After all, a trophy should mean something.
The bar for achievement has hit a new low.
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