The Trouble with Self-Esteem

This was the heading of a mother’s letter in The New York Times Magazine. At her children’s elementary school, after the athletic field day, all the medals won individually … were collected and the children were given a chance to pick medals out of a bag so that none would feel bad about losing. My daughter, who won nearly every race, came home with a bronze, and my sons, who won nothing, actually came home with two medals apiece.

What does this teach? Is self-esteem enhanced by equal access to awards without consideration of performance? What do you think?