to the children, what are the benefits of participating in the spelling bee?what ore the costs?

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22 July 2010

Are Bees Good or Bad ? Benefits and Costs of Children Joining the Spelling Bee

Hypercompetition has seeped into teenager and pre-teen life through the striped flying insect- the bee . Spellbound (2002 , directed by Jeffrey Blitz , is a documentary that follows eight finalists in their grueling journey to the national championship of the Scripps Howard national spelling bee championship in Washington D .C . The interviews with these candidates and their families reveal their beliefs in and attitudes toward the pressures of the competition

. Indeed , the tremendous demands of the competition palpably manifests for these children and their families , because a one-letter mistake can immediately dissolve their quest of winning this prestigious contest Although the children work unnaturally hard and undergo fierce familial and personal pressure in the competition , these problems are overshadowed by the benefits of competition- the knowledge that accrues because of the intense study , self-confidence , sense of belonging , and strong sense of accomplishment

The costs of joining the spelling bee are normal to any competition- personal and familial pressures . Personal pressures take place , as students push themselves hard by foregoing socialization , such as going to mall or spending time with friends , so that they can study more . Even the parents of finalist April DeGideo are amazed , because their daughter has cultivated her study habits all on her own . She studies long hours and does not mind having less time for her friends and family . She is eagle-focused on her prey , so to speak...