We are all born with a competitive nature. Our competitive nature drives us to want to be fierce competitors. We compete for resources in the form of food, employment, shelter and to find a mate for the dominant lineage to survive. Sometimes we compete without even knowing it. This is how we grew up, competing for food at the table, brothers and sisters competing for the love and attention of their parents. As children, we bring this competitive nature to school and compete for the best grades, the teacher's attention or sometimes we role play or become the class clown. As adults, we compete to see who will have the biggest house, the best cars, and who will make the most money. Parents want the best for their children and their future and will push them as far as they can without seeing the repercussions later. Pushing children beyond their limits and not allowing them to be children first will harm them later in life: stun their growth potential and create insecure children who constantly seek approval . In Lisa Strick's essay, "So What's So Bad About Being Like This?" Lisa talks about our competitive nature and the need to be the best. Sometimes competition prevents us from pursuing a hobby, sport, or activity without being looked down upon because we are not good at that activity. Stick feels like she failed her son because she didn't introduce him to soccer at a young age like other kids. She states, “I'm sorry, son, I guess I've ruined everything” (p. 204). She states this after the other children make fun of her own son; “We don't want that dodo on our football team...He doesn't know a goal kick or a header” (p. 204). Children can be ruthless and not care about what they say. Hearing someone say we suck can make you not want to keep trying....... middle of paper ...... my responsibilities at home and at school. After 8 years of playing, I was not only competing with others, but also with myself. In the end, I failed Excel and now have my fiddle under the bed collecting dust. Healthy competition can move people forward. Allowing a child to do what they want because they love it can open them up socially by allowing them to reach out and teach others who don't have the same niche. If we force a child to be too competitive, it diminishes their ability to grow in other areas of life because they are too focused on being the best. If they don't live up to their standards of being the best, the child will be insecure in their abilities and will constantly seek approval. Unhealthy competition can be detrimental later in life when trying to get into a good school, find a partner, or get a job..