Written Analysis-Analysis 1

Cody Smith

                                                                  Popular Culture                                                   

Professor Whitney Iles

July 8, 2014

Introduction

The topic of steroid use in the professional sports arena is a very popular topic that seems to gain popularity as time passes.  We know that steroid use and performance enhancing drugs are an unhealthy way for athletes to maintain the edge or the boost they need to stay on top of their game.  This paper will discuss how theories are related to this topic, how performance enhancing drug use is evaluated by such theories, and what insights could be gained from applying these theories to the controversial topic of steroid use by pro athletes (Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sports Fast Facts - CNN.com, 2014).  

How do the theories evaluate steroid use?

It is popular belief that steroid use by those who compete as professional athletes is an unfair advantage.  Even though not all pro athletes use performance enhancing drugs the ever growing percentage who admit to using them are record holders, champions, and sponsored role models to those who are their audience.  It is believed by most that the titles, championships, statuses, and licenses should be revoked by their respected associations because of the unfair advantage steroids are believed to provide to those who use them.  Performance enhancing drugs help athletes achieve the supernatural myth that pro baseball players, wrestlers, etcetera are believed to possess.  Icons that are represented by this topic include Barry Bonds, Lance Armstrong, Randy Savage, Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGuire, Jose Conseco, and Gary Sheffield.  The popular belief that the unhealthy trend of steroids has spurred the development of the Anti-Doping Agency and various investigations conducted by many professional sports organizations who have decided to battle drug use (Fainaru-Wada & Williams, 2006).

Insights and Conclusion

I believe that the beliefs of the majority on certain issues being morally right or wrong are very influential.  I think that the sports players or entertainers who are found to have used these types of drugs are detrimental to children who are modeling their behaviors after their favorite athletes.  On the other hand, I could understand why these athletes resort to steroid use during their career.  The ever stressful requirements by those who are always pushed to be the best and stay on top or they will be left behind could cause this type of behavior.  Athletes that are believed to be supernatural and perform at the highest levels may find it difficult as the years go by maintaining the strength of their youth needed to be competitive (Petracca & Sorapure, 2009).