True-Sport-Report

winning as more important in organized
sport than when playing with peers in
their neighborhood (i.e., informal sport
such as sandlot or pickup games). Developmental
theorists suggest that these
informal play settings are better learning
environments for children with regard to
social and moral development. 197,198
As discussed earlier, athletes with ego
orientations rather than task orientations
are more likely to adopt a “win at any cost”
mentality. When this orientation is egged
on by coaches, parents, and spectators, it
can become the mode of conduct for an
individual or a team.
The Sport in America research supports
the idea that in this country society places
strong importance on winning in sport;
many adults agree that sport places too
much emphasis on winning, and many
regard our society as one in which winning
is rewarded but effort and participation are
often overlooked. However, many also believe
that the focus on winning in professional
sport is acceptable and appropriate,
contending that the paychecks received by
professional athletes justify this pressure.
The Sport in America research also found
that many coaches admit to believing
that, although winning should not be the
only goal in sport, it is important to strive
to win. They believe that allowing children
to be content with just having fun
fails to instill in them an appreciation for
healthy competition and pushing one’s
limits.
Both quantitative and qualitative
research suggests some key differences in
attitudes toward winning and tolerance
of cheating among teenagers compared to
younger children (ages 8 to10). Consistent
with the pattern seen in the general population
regarding issues of cheating and
winning being more tolerated by younger
adults (ages 18 to 34), these data similarly
suggest a greater tolerance for cheating
(coupled with more direct experience
with the behavior among both teens and
boys) and a slightly different perspective
on winning among teens. Although the
majority still recognize that cheating is
never acceptable (80 percent), teens are
less likely than children ages 8 to 10 to
agree that bending the rules to win is the
same as breaking them and that bending/
breaking the rules is always cheating and
never acceptable.
Teens also are more likely than younger
children (ages 8 to 10) to report that their
parents often expect them to win. In
qualitative interviews, teens did admit
that winning was the biggest motivator
when playing sport because the level of
competition for them is often higher and
there is more at stake (i.e., college scholarships
and various championships).
USADA’s survey data show that 56 percent
of sport participants and 49 percent
of children who play sport agree that they
have a stronger sense of right and wrong
because of the sport they play. In contrast,
only 22 percent of spectators agree that
they have a stronger moral code from
watching sport.
Although sport can positively impact
ethics, many adults also believe that some
sports accept unethical behavior (Figure 9).
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