A Father’s Scolding Took More Than Words—It Took His Son’s Life for Not Earning Honors

The “End-of-School Year (EOSY)” Rites have just concluded, and many pupils and students received awards during ceremonies—a gift not only to their parents or guardians but also to themselves.

However, some did not receive medals, ribbons, or certificates.

Does that mean they have no worth?

A video from “Ging’s Blog” has gone viral after sharing the story of a student who ended their own life after being scolded by their father. 

The reason? 

It was reported that the student did not receive any honors.

As of this writing, the post has reached 25.5k reactions, 2.2k shares, and 3.4k comments — not to mention millions of views. It also sparked discussions among netizens, most of whom reminded parents not to be too hard on their children if they did not receive any citations during their EOSY rites.

An article fromSmart Parentinghighlighted that many parents believe it’s important to strike a balance between acknowledging students’ efforts and upholding meaningful standards.

According to a child psychologist and health columnist, Dr Justin Coulson of Happy Families, while academic, sports, and citizenship awards are meaningful, they represent just a small part of a child’s overall growth and identity. Seeing only a select few students consistently recognized among a large group of capable individuals often fails to motivate others.

Parents would do well to focus on encouraging the following:

1. Consider the value of what is being rewarded: Guide children to think about why certain accomplishments or traits are recognized, and which ones tend to be overlooked.
2. Emphasize character over grades: Let children know that their identity and character mean much more to you than their accomplishments. Make this message clear and direct.
3. Support intrinsic motivation. If children seek recognition, parents should help them create goals focused on personal fulfillment rather than external approval. 
4. Encourage resilience in the face of letdowns. If a child had hoped to “win,” ask them what missing the award means about who they are.
5. Value diverse talents. Acknowledge the skills and hard work that often go unnoticed by awards.