Why Do We Reward Doing the Right Thing?

Have you ever noticed that we expect certain things from people? We expect the kid barely squeaking by to barely squeak by. We expect the kid pulling straight A's to continue to do so. Yet, if that kid barely squeaking by, not because lack of intelligence but because of laziness, manages to bring their grades up or do something stellar - we almost throw a party. Why is that? Why do we feel we have to reward someone for doing what is right to begin with? That is just a small example.

I know someone who ended up pregnant. She had a small sports car and decided to trade it in for a "family" vehicle. The world nearly stood still because she put something else first. Isn't that what being a parent is all about? Giving up what we desire and want to make things better for our children or to do what is right or necessary to take care of our family. Why do we feel the need to reward that or burst with pride that someone who tends to be selfish and self-centered finally stepped up and did what was right? Remind me again why doing the right thing needs to be rewarded - why isn't just doing the right thing enough any more?

Look at professional sports - TO and Pacman Jones have bonuses written in to their contracts that if they stay out of trouble they get cash bonuses. We hold these guys up as role models instead of the Mom who is keeping her family of 5 together while Dad is in Iraq. It is a sad reflection on our society that we have to reward good behavior and making the right choice. Doing the right thing is never the easy thing - but none the less it is right and often results in the best outcome for the greater good - and doing that should be reward enough. Shouldn't it??