However, the price to be paid for this equality of opportunity is competition. If much of life is seen as a race, then a person must run the race to succeed; a person has the responsibility to compete with others, even though we know not everyone will be successful. The pressures of competition in the life of an American begin in childhood and continue until retirement from work. Learning to compete successfully is part of growing up in the United States, and competition is encouraged by strong programs of competitive sports provided by the public schools and community groups. It's popular with both men and women.