Over praising your children detrimantal to their development?

OK so I ran across this article today will killing time on my lunch hour.

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/family/42687007.html?elr=KArks7PYDi...

Basically it talks about a self esteem movement that started in the 80's that educators are just now learning 20 years later that praising your children constantly is not good for their development. What they thought would plant the seeds of self esteem really creates a aire of neediness, entitlement, and self importance.

Personally I was born in '74 and my folks somehow missed the memo on praising kids and not hitting them. While I am not a big fan of the whole hitting thing, I can honestly say that I never even considered praising my child for everything little thing they do. When he does well, praise, when he does bad correction. I thought it was that straight forward but I guess it isn't. Those of you who have read some of my previous posts know that my wife and I are expecting our first in about 3 weeks (as I write this entry) and growing up I really respected my parents. So naturally I look to their example to raise my own child. If I did exceptionally well at something they let me know I did well, if I screwed up I had a tanned hide, and everything else in between was just what I was supposed to do. After reading this article I started talking with some friends at work about their experinces with their own children, who are older, and I was floored to hear how educators handle awards.

When I was in school (yes I have already turned into my father) the only kids who were given awards were the ones who made honor role, won the spelling bee, math or science fairs. Others won trophies (1st, 2nd, 3rd, MVP) in athletics or were recognized for outstanding achievements in art or other crafts. I thought they were joking when they said that now everyone gets a certificate. Literally kids get recognition for just even showing up. And one father told me that in the T-ball and little league program his son is in they doesn't even keep score. What the ??? Some of my fondest memories of childhood is me standing up with my teammates and getting our trophies at the end of season awards banquet. But that was because I knew that I was part of a team that did better than everyone else. How that is even possible when there is no way in which to measure achievements. If something if assumed or handed to someone it is never appreciated. Heck, growing up I would have rather even had 3rd place than 2nd because it meant I won the last game and not just lost to the 1st place team in the finals. Now I understand that not every child is a Micheal Jordan, but my experinces encouraged me to work harder when I wasn't good at something because winning was an obtainable goal. And if I just plain lacked all talent in something I found something that I could learn to do well. I still can't dribble a basket ball but I can certainly knock a baseball out of the park.

Now I may be overly cynical but isn't that lying to our children? When they finish school and go out into the world they will be judged not only on their performance, but additionally on how they act, look, and interact with others. This is a fact, not a pretty one, but it is a fact that everyone has to deal with. I would love to be able to tell my child that if they work to the best of their ability that they will get the job they want. NASA doesn't hire people from where I went to school, Vogue doesn't hire people who graduate at the top of their class but don't have the right look, and that isn't even taking into account descrimination against race, sex, and religion. I wish it wasn't this way but sadly this is the way the world is. Doesn't ignoring these harsh realities do them a disservice by having them get used to the idea that regardless of how well they do they will be rewarded in some way, when the reality is that even if they do a awesome job where they work it will most likely go unnoticed or unappreciated? Not that I am saying that from the womb kids need to be beaten over the head with the cruelity of the world. But I do think that the small dissappointments of not placing in every contest is a good way to help prepare them emotionally for the world that they are growing into.

I am all for giving a pat on the back so to speak when it is deserved, but isn't this encouraging mediocrity?
To quote one of my favorite movies, The Incredibles:
"...And when everyone is a super, then no one will be."
-Syndrome

What does everyone think?
Porkchop