Social Perceptions Determines Rules
A significant criteria for judgment on performance enhancing drugs is the social perceptions of the specific substance or procedure. While microfracture surgery that artificially reattaches torn ligaments is viewed as a technological innovation, steroids is viewed as a dangerous and harmful drug. Majority of drugs in sports become illegal when they violate the majority notion of acceptable behavior. Yet, acceptable behavior is largely a socially constructed concept that is subject to change. In many cases, opposition against certain performance enhancers has more to do with defending the ideals of the community than with creating policies that are ethically sound.
The social perception of steroids in particular triggers fan's pharmacological Calvinism, the belief that taking a pill to attain pleasure and happiness is morally wrong because hard work, suffering, and pain are essential aspects of human existence. Steroid users are depicted as individuals who strive for the quick fix; they are deliberately taking a stance against pharmacological Calvinism and American values. This leads to the media labeling the steroid culture and users as alien and evil, which are the factors that truly keep steroids on the wrong side of public opinion and professional sports league policies. Even when there is a logical argument supporting steroid use, these arguments are automatically rejected because they are thought to be against Puritan ideals, which form the foundation for American values. 1,6,7
The social perception of steroids in particular triggers fan's pharmacological Calvinism, the belief that taking a pill to attain pleasure and happiness is morally wrong because hard work, suffering, and pain are essential aspects of human existence. Steroid users are depicted as individuals who strive for the quick fix; they are deliberately taking a stance against pharmacological Calvinism and American values. This leads to the media labeling the steroid culture and users as alien and evil, which are the factors that truly keep steroids on the wrong side of public opinion and professional sports league policies. Even when there is a logical argument supporting steroid use, these arguments are automatically rejected because they are thought to be against Puritan ideals, which form the foundation for American values. 1,6,7
