On May 26, 2017, our class covered deviance in sport, specifically performance enhancing drugs in Module 8. Throughout the course, we have often illustrated the linkages between society and sport, and the effects they can have on each other. Sport, being one of the biggest industries in the United States, is observed by millions of people every day. For youth, the professional athletes that compete in sport are idolized and looked up to. The activity, good or bad, that they engage in can have a direct effect on how the youth model themselves. The author of the article above illustrates what anabolic steroids--one of several performance enhancing drugs mentioned in Module 8--are and the effects that they can have on both adults and underdeveloped adolescents.
Anabolic Steroids:
- increase the rate of protein synthesis within cells
- influence masculinity, cause growth of the vocal chords and body hair
- increase aggressiveness and competitiveness, which are most often desirable traits in sports
- block the effects of cortisol, the catabolic hormone that breaks down muscle tissue
- causes changes in cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, liver damage, and acne among other severe side effects
Side effects are not the only problems with using performance enhancing drugs. They come with many other societal, physical, and emotional effects as well. Consider the effect it may have on youth, especially those who aspire to become just like their favorite athlete. The Digital Citizens Alliance conducted a survey in 2013, asking 350 high school and college male athletes about their perception of steroid use in professional sports (Toporek, 2013). About 77 percent of them said that it is has a trickle-down effect, making it feel as though they need to take the drugs to keep up with the competition. High school and college athletes have been known to take steroids for this reason, so let us assess what is happening in their underdeveloped bodies. Youth drug use can result in the early onset of puberty, and furthermore can "stunt" growth by prematurely stopping the lengthening of bones (Helmenstine, 2017). Below is an illustration of the problems with steroids that have been detected in youth.
What, then, do we do? We try to put a stop to the use of PED's in professional sport, the philosophy of which is that "if the pros stop, so will the kids." Thus, suspensions are getting longer, drug tests are becoming more frequent and random, and more drugs are being added to the list of drugs that are prohibited. PED use has seemingly gone down since the "Steroid Era" in baseball, which roughly spanned the last five years of the 20th century and the first five years of the 21st century. However, athletes still do it at an "uncomfortable rate," if you will.
Some people believe that it is time to allow the use of PED's in professional sports, and to stop fighting a losing battle. I have been given no reason to believe that this is a good idea. The health risks are substantial, and sometimes permanent. In fact, the author of the article above also states that while the side effects of steroids for adults can be reversed over time, there can be permanent negative consequences for adolescents. Allowing adults on the biggest stage--that is, pro sports--to take illegal drugs that enhance performance, and ultimately ignite the trickle-down effect to our youth is beyond unacceptable.
That, of course, goes for all drugs, not just performance enhancing drugs typically used in sport. After all, according to Module 8, Americans spend approximately $64 billion per year on illegal drugs, which could include everything from PED's to methamphetamines.
My point remains the same. Our youth must be protected, and given the proper tools and standards by which to live. The athletes of pro sports, to whom these youth look up to, need to be the good role models that they are supposed to be. Legalizing PED's in professional sport would not only tarnish the good spirit of sport today, but tarnish the good spirit of future sport, which will be played by the same youth I just referred to.
Below is a YouTube video clearly illustrating the use of performance enhancing substances in high school athletics, and the epidemic it has become.
Additional Source(s)/Reference(s):
Toporek, B. (2013, July 29). Survey: youth athletes feel pressured by steroid use in pro sports - schooled in sports - education week. Retrieved from http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/schooled_in_sports/2013/07/youth_athletes_feel_pressured_by_steroid_users_in_pro_sports.html
CNN Library. (2016, January 26). Performance enhancing drugs in sports fast facts - CNN.com. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/06/us/performance-enhancing-drugs-in-sports-fast-facts/
Helmenstine, A. M. (2017, February 19). Anabolic steroids - performance enhancing drugs. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/how-anabolic-steroids-work-608399
Jones, A. M. (2016, May 26). Performance enhancing supplements among teens [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/ogIvNuifkJk
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