Abstract This paper offers a critical examination of ethical issues in professional sports, using theories and ideas from well-known experts in the field. After a brief look at the role of sports throughout history, the paper focuses on the importance of winning and the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes. It questions the widespread use of drugs in the pursuit of victory and critically examines the reasons that this practice is forbidden.
From the Paper "Avid interest in sports affects the entire world, from soccer in Europe to ice hockey in Russia. Sports were important in ancient times to the Greeks and Romans, and to Native American cultures as well. Robert Simon points out in his book Fair Play: The Ethics of Sport that "participation in sports, and the related activity of play, are characteristic of most, if not all, human societies" (2)."
Abstract This paper takes a stand against the use of performance enhancing drugs in sports. The paper covers the legal and moral impact of drug use in sports and it also explains the mental and physical health side effects of taking such drugs.
From the Paper "If you turn on any sports show in today's world of media, you are bound to hear something about the illegal drug use in sports. There are many supporters for both sides of this argument. When it comes down to it, which is right? Is the world being too harsh on drug use in sports? Should more be done to help prevent the spreading drug problem in sports? Performance enhancing drugs in sports is not only legally and morally wrong, but it is also very unhealthy."
Abstract This paper studies the use of performance-enhancing and other drugs in athletics for heightened performance in amateur and professional sports. The paper discusses the prevalence of these drugs on the open market. The paper also details specific drug usage, side effects and other dangers.
From the Paper "In the pursuit of heightened athletic performance, many amateur athletes as well as professional athletes have turned to the use of a wide assortment of drugs, ranging from steroids to amphetamines, performance-enhancing substances and illicit..."
Abstract The paper addresses the widespread use of steroids by high-profile athletes for boosting their performance and discusses whether it is morally acceptable to use performance enhancing drugs in sports. The paper looks at patterns of use of steroids by athletes; are they being used across the board or are certain groups by sex, class or ethnicity more prone to its use? The paper also examines whether it is ethical to use animals for sports and entertainment and discusses the history of cockfighting in the United States.
Outline:
Sports Ethics
Sports History and Performance Enhancing Substance
Pattern of Use
Why is Steroid-use in Sports Considered Unethical?
Is it Ethical to Use Animals in Sports?
The Barbaro Case
Cockfighting
Conclusion
From the Paper "Sport is an ancient human activity as cultural relics provide evidence that some form of health-building activities existed in China as long ago as 4000 BC (Qinfa, 2007). A number of sports are also known to have been played in ancient Egypt, and the Greeks of course organized the ancient Olympic Games as far back as 776 AD. With the advent of industrialization in the 19th century and the increased availability of leisure time, sports have become phenomenally popular in most parts of the world. The development of mass media and communication technology such as the radio, television and the Internet in the recent past have further added to the popularity of sports as spectators can now follow the exploits of athletes and star performers from afar."
Abstract The paper begins by looking at arguments for the use of steroids in sports. It quotes Barry Bonds, a major league baseball player who has no reservations about the use of steroids in sports; as well as Ken Caminiti, who won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1996. It lists the arguments of the proponents of steroid use. The paper then turns to study the side effects of steroid use and the reservations held by opponents of using drugs in sports. The paper concludes with the writer's personal opinion on the topic.
From the Paper "Should athletes be allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs in order to improve their performance? Steroid usage in sports has long been a big issue for many athletes both professional and amateur. Steroids are not condoned in any sport however; some athletes do take the chance by using performance-enhancing drugs in order to increase the chances of a successful outcome in a competition. Many athletes have been barred from participating in certain sports because they were convicted of taking steroids. In light of this, one can only wonder how many top athletes have won events due to the use of steroids. There are many sides to the debate of whether or not athletes should be able to use steroids. Despite health reasons there are quite a few people who do believe that athletes should be allowed to use performance-enhancers. On the other hand, there are those who believe that steroids should not be used."
Abstract This paper attempts to definitively answer whether sports are destructive to the schools mission or an enhancement of the academics. For the purposes of this paper issues surrounding sports are discussed. Specifically, it reviews the use of performance-enhancement drugs, the obesity epidemic and the relationships and cohesion of the students. The paper concludes that there is a positive influence of sports on the academic setting and a benefit to the individual student.
From the Paper "It has long been recognized by educators that children learn best when they are interested. Extracurricular activities can be the driving force for many children's interest in going to school, and it can promote a feeling of being part of a community (Burnett 3). Athletes become active participants in the learning process because it is imperative for them to take information and directly apply it to a situation. They are then able to receive feedback from their superiors and peers, and then evaluate the information in real-life situations. This process provides educational benefits, which are self-evident."
An analysis of four psychoactive drugs and drug families that are commonly used and abused in America: nicotine, marijuana, anabolic steroids and alcohol.
Abstract The paper reviews the American legislation that "controls" certain substances. The paper examines smoking laws and tobacco usage to determine the American use / abuse of nicotine. It also contrasts that with the greater illegality of marijuana, and compares that to sportsdrugs such as anabolic steroids. Finally, the paper reviews the history of alcohol legislation and abuse. In conclusion, the writer feels that nicotine and alcohol should be treated more as health hazards, in line with the legislative treatment accorded marijuana and metabolic steroids. Table of Contents: Legislation Affecting Drugs in the United States; Nicotine; Marijuana; Anabolic Steroids; Liquor; Bibliography
From the Paper "Scheduling occurs according to certain criteria that are applied to drugs according to their medicinal value, harmfulness, and potential abuse or addiction to the drug. There are five schedules, of which Schedule I is assigned to the most dangerous drugs with the least medicinal value, with Schedule II-V being applied to drugs with decreasing danger and increasing medicinal value. Schedule V would then include the least dangerous of the drugs."
Abstract In this article the writer discusses mandatory drug testing for athletes in sports. The writer examines the issue of whether there is a valid reason that the courts can use to justify mandatory drug testing of student athletes. Further, the writer discusses the matter of privacy rights.
Abstract This paper examines the ethical issues and consequences of the increase of drug use among athletes. From Olympians to baseball home-run hitters, the paper looks at who is using -- and why. The author also discusses testing and fines (or other punishment from governing bodies). The paper concludes with a discussion about the ramification of drug use in professional and high level amateur sports, and its influence on society, particularly on impressionable youth athletes.
From the Paper "Athletes have always been contemptuous of sport's attempts to regulate drug use, but they tended to keep their mouths shut. Most resented the upper hand that testing gave management, but they were too afraid of being caught, punished, and embarrassed to speak up unless they were squeaky clean, retired or busted. The line between what is effective and legal and what is effective and illegal is diminishing. It is not clear anymore because the people who are making these illegal and controversial substances are getting good and they are finding ways to dim the line. By all accounts, athletes and coaches are becoming much more aggressive and skillful in using drugs ranging from sodium bicarbonate, which keeps muscles from tiring, to patches soaked with synthetic testosterone to build muscles. Having to resort to such extreme measures to win represents the egocentric nature commonly found in athletes today."
Abstract This paper discusses sports in the 1960's. Citing the examples set by Presidents Kennedy, Nixon, and Eisenhower, the entire world of sports in America is examined, including the Olympics, the affect of racism, the major historical issues of the time and how they affected sports, the growth in popularity of professional sports, and the role of the television and radio.
Tags:SPORTS / POLITICAL ISSUES (INTERNATIONAL, OLYMPICS, DRUG TESTING), sports in 1960's
Abstract This paper discusses the tremendous growth of participation in amateur athletic events over the past few decades in terms of their scope, power and economic status and that in the United States alone, amateur athletics involve the lives and athletic experiences of people from their childhood through high school and college and beyond. This paper also discusses how high school and college sports are one of the most popular and important aspects of academic life today and that the camaraderie and fellowship that can emerge among sports players can possibly last a lifetime. The focus of this paper is on a disturbing trend towards violence in sports that has emerged in recent years. While injuries and mishaps can reasonably be expected to take place in any sporting event, there is frequently a fine distinction between intimidating tactics and violence that can result in serious injuries on the sporting field.
From the Paper "While violence in collegiate sports has received much attention in recent years, a less publicized problem also exists. College athletes are highly popular figures on campus and in communities, but they are being unfairly treated in terms of how they are compensated for their efforts. While the performance of these student athletes on the field or court provides millions of dollars in revenue for universities, these students receive only their scholarships (usually comprised of tuition, room, and board), but no spending money. Furthermore, under current NCAA regulations, these student athletes are prohibited from even working part-time during the season. "Athletes have been caught trying to make money by getting loans from coaches and advisers," the author says, "selling the shoes and other gear they get as team members, taking allowances from agents, and getting paid for no-show summer jobs provided by jock-sniffing alumni--all violations of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules" (38). "
Tags: non, sporting, events, athletes, students, teams, coaches, drugs
This paper examines the use of steroids in sports, while citing several cases in the areas of professional, college and high school athletics across the U.S.
Abstract This paper explores the issue of steroid use in sports which is not only a problem in the professional circuit, but has crept its way into high schools and colleges across the nation. The writer of this paper focuses on the use of steroids in these areas while examining the various solutions to this growing problem. This writer details the current professional sports climate which does little to help this situation. Kids see athletes as role models and when they see them using steroids, they perceive it as an endorsement. This paper defines steroids as a medicine synthesized to perform like human hormones, mostly testosterone and to a lesser extent human growth hormone. The writer discusses the current punishments for steroid use, which are lenient by expert standards. This paper examines the various efforts to stop the use of steroids in sports. The writer contends that the underlying path to stopping the use of steroids in sports will come when the young athletes are stopped and held accountable for their actions.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Why it is Happening
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Currently the punishments for steroid use are lenient by expert standards. A professional baseball player has to be caught four times before anything serious happens to him. The first infraction can get a 10 day suspension, while subsequent uses can get up to a quarter of as season on the bench. This sends the message to young sports enthusiasts that the use of illegal steroids is not that big of an issue.
One of the first things that needs to be done to stop the use of steroids is to change the public perception of winning and the importance of doing so. As long as children and adults are being conditioned that winning at all costs is acceptable steroid use is going to be an issue in sports."
This paper addresses how the advent and the history of minorities in sporting events has actively promoted the gradual acceptance of minorities in society as a whole.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 3 sources, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract This paper addresses how the advent and the history of minorities in sporting events has actively promoted the gradual acceptance of minorities in society as a whole. However, this paper also examines how sporting events has actively served to decrease social stereotypes in many respects but also has served to encourage these stereotypes in several prominent and avoidable ways.
Tags:SPORTS / POLITICAL ISSUES (INTERNATIONAL, OLYMPICS, DRUG TESTING), minorities sports public
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of substance abuse in sports today. The paper points out that of all the controversial issues regarding contemporary sports, such as skyrocketing player salaries, unaffordable ticket prices, over expansion and ridiculously long playoff seasons, the most pressing of all is substance abuse. The paper further discusses how the lenient responses in the past to substance abuse by prominent professional athletes have sent the hypocritical and dangerous message to young athletes of high school age and even younger that substance abuse is not that big a deal and that it OK to use performance enhancing drugs.
Abstract This paper examines how, considering the increasing use of drugs among today's youth, drug testing in schools has become necessary. It looks at how the ramifications of using these drugs are detrimental to both the individual and society as a whole and how drug testing is meant to protect students from the harmful effects and has been shown to deter drug use in a large percentage of those on whom it has been practiced. It shows how the procedures themselves are non-invasive and result in no side effects and how the United States Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of these evaluations. It also evaluates how the random drug testing of students involved in extra curricular activities is a positive and beneficial policy and should be mandatory in schools.
From the Paper "The argument that testing is an invasion of privacy and infringes on civil rights is easily discredited. The process of a urinalysis test goes as follows: "a faculty monitor waits outside the closed restroom stall for the student to produce a sample and must listen for the normal sounds of urination to guard against tampered specimens and ensure an accurate chain of custody" (Kozlowski 34). This is considered to be a negligible intrusion of privacy. These tests are compared to standard head lice checks. Katherine Ford, the director of the Florida Drug Free America Foundation says, ?No one claims it is a violation of a child's civil rights to have their head checked for lice."
