The stars and stickers in school

When I was in school in St Joseph's Allahabad I distinctly remember the Card system.
If you got above 80 % you got a PINK  card saying Very Good
If you got between 65 & 80 you got a BLUE  card  saying Good
If you got between 40 & 65 you got a YELLOW  card saying Fair
Anything lower and you got a RED card saying UNSATISFACTORY !

We all strove extremely hard for the Pink and blue cards for obvious reasons. They were few and far between .
But yellow and red cards were not uncommon either .
A number of boys got them and no-  they did not contemplate suicide nor did they feel that the teacher hated them . No they did not tell their parents that they hated the school or wanted to leave it . They were not emotionally upset nor did they have to be sent to a counselor for support .

Times have changed drastically - so have pupils and their parents.
 One has to be so careful to motivate and not discourage in any way by word or deed .
Encouragement is the key word and STARS and STICKERS are the IN things .
All teachers keep them - no problem with that one but then they are THE PROBLEM.
At first stars and stickers were given for exceptionally good work and very high marks.
They were stuck in the exercise books and when one got a star it was the envy of all and much valued.
Today all that has changed.
Stars and sticker are given at random - a pupil I asked today had no idea why he had been given a star .
Nowadays stars and stickers have moved out of the exercise book and are now on the hand , on the forehead , on the tie , tunic , shirt - anywhere . THEY MUST BE SEEN  BY ONE AND ALL and the more the better .
Children demand them and parents expect them ............
Children are not satisfied and are always looking to see who has got more stickers and stars than them .
Think about the situation  briefly and it means nothing but reflect and you realize that this is one of the  many reasons  society is changing .
Young boys and girls  , so used to getting things   easily  in school and without actually  working hard and consistently  for them have begun to expect the same as  young adults .
Demands and expectations have changed and increased .
Everyone demands rewards , expects more and feels dejected and despondent when they don't get it .
They are constantly complaining - awaiting promotions and salary increases - job satisfaction is often at an all time low and jobs are changed frequently- its always greener on the other side .
Dejection, despondency and counseling is on the rise in the new work force  .
Finding solace in alcohol or more is not uncommon.
People are finding it next to impossible to cope with the stress and wonder why.
Ever thought about blaming the stars and stickers ?