Yeah, it's lame and getting lamer. I couldn't believe when I heard recently that there's a movement to ban competitive sports now because some consider them detrimental to children's self-esteem. (shaking head in disbelief)
Nothing kills "self esteem" like the reality of getting a job in the real world where they find out that they don't know Jack.
Nothing prepares you to be a winner in life better then learning what it is like to lose. The PC folk have ruined so many kids this way... by never letting them feel what it is like to lose they completely remove the desire to win.