Children’s Fear of Standing Out Highlighted in Education Report

Last year, at a certain elementary school, the relay race at the sports festival was cancelled.

 

When the teachers selected a few of the fastest children from the footrace as relay runners, many of them voiced the following response:

 

“Please do not select me as a relay runner. Otherwise, I will be absent from the sports festival.”

 

About 70% of the selected children expressed a desire to decline. 

It seems they decided to have the children hold hands and cross the finish line together.

Relay races used to be a highlight of sports festivals. However, recently, there seems to be an increasing number of children who dislike being selected because they fear being “out of place,” “standing out,” or “being watched by others.”

When did and why has this situation come about?

In his recent book *”Report: How Smartphone Parenting Is Ruining Our Children”* (Shinchosha), the author interviewed over 200 education professionals from daycare centers to high schools, shedding light on the impact of modern society on children. I would like to examine the current state of the anxieties that today’s children face.

 

“Dislike being recognized” or “Dislike being awarded” 

Schools are environments where dozens to hundreds of children live together in groups, inevitably leading to competition. 

In tests, artistic creations, achievements in club activities, competitions, and debates, children compete with their peers, striving to show better results to gain an advantage.

However, recently, there seems to be a growing tendency among children to avoid such competition. A principal at a middle school in Tokyo comments on this trend.

“Competition was a given in schools of the past. In both studies and grades, if you achieved better results than others, you were recognized and your social status in class improved. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in students who dislike exposing themselves to such competition. What they commonly express is a desire not to ‘stand out.'”

The principal provided the following example to illustrate where such feelings might arise.

• An increasing number of children dislike being told “Well done” or “You’re excellent” by teachers during class. While teachers intend to praise them, students perceive it as “standing out” and may even act out or do the opposite to avoid attention.
• More children are avoiding recognition ceremonies for achievements in club activities or competitions. On the day of the awards, some students choose to skip school or arrive late to avoid being honored.
• There is a growing reluctance among students to become captains in club activities. Some children view leadership negatively and avoid taking on such roles.

There have always been a certain number of children who are uncomfortable with being in the spotlight. However, according to teachers on the ground, this proportion has been increasing. Just like in the opening relay race at sports day, some schools are reaching a level where events like contests, cultural festivals, and extracurricular activities are becoming unsustainable.