It is widely recognised 1 that the way children are raised and the kind of influences they are exposed to can have a significant influence on the adults they become in later life. With this in mind,there is a good deal of focus on the kind of competition youngsters 2 should face while growing up. Some feel competition is important in motivating children and preparing them for future life. Others feel competition can have a negative influence and that it is preferable for children to have a less pressured childhood.

Competition is certainly a good way to motivate children,particularly in education. Children are usually too young to appreciate the importance of studying hard and therefore might struggle to motivate themselves to study when they would much rather be playing. By making test results widely known and heaping praise on 3 the most successful students,it is possible to tap into 4 a child's competitive instinct and ensure they try harder than they otherwise would. Although keeping test results secret and downplaying their importance certainly goes some way to reduce the pressure many students feel,it also dilutes the satisfaction of the most successful students and reduces the incentive to try hard. If children are always shielded from the feeling of failure,whether it be in the classroom,sports field or elsewhere,then it is hardly the ideal preparation for adult life. The modern job market is highly competitive and there is little room for those who struggle to deal with setbacks.

However,competition is not always positive and can have an unhealthy influence on children. Firstly,competition can put a lot of pressure on children before they are old enough to deal with it properly. In countries where education is highly competitive,children often have little time to play as the pressure to study and perform well in tests is so great. There is also a tendency to study only with exams in mind as the focus is on results,not on comprehensive development. These factors are not conducive 5 to a balanced childhood and education. It is also worth considering the psychological implications of children spending their early years in constant competition. After growing up always being encouraged to beat one's peers,some might find it difficult to cooperate effectively with colleagues at work.

In conclusion,although competition can help stimulate children and motivate them to achieve more,it should not be too fierce. Too much competition can lead to an excessive amount of pressure,an unbalanced childhood and difficulties in working with others. So although some competition is necessary,efforts should be made to avoid putting too much pressure on young people so that they can develop properly into well-rounded adults.