Everyone getting a trophy is not bad per se. It becomes a memento of participating on a team, no different than a team picture. What is bad is refusing to recognize the league champs with a trophy for winning, or to give out special trophies to the best, most valuable players. That demoralizes the best players and teaches that individual effort and excellence is not to be rewarded.
“Everyone getting a trophy is not bad per se. It becomes a memento of participating on a team, no different than a team picture.”
Back around 1967 I went to my swim team awards dinner. They gave everyone a trophy which was an award, definitely not a team picture. I see a huge difference. It was absolutely worthless to me because I knew I didn’t deserve it or earn it. I was absolutely disgusted with the adults. I was 8 or 9 at the time.