Men behaving badly -.

(From Canberra Times)

Why do some elite athletes behave inappropriately off the field - and why do they repeat such unacceptable behaviour? The answer is complex and involves a number of factors, some associated with the athletes, some with the sport and some with the public and media adulation of elite athletes and other celebrities. I coined the term ''Pedestal Syndrome'' to summarise the various contributing factors. In order, they are: 1. The elite athlete: Psychological profiling of elite athletes consistently reveals several characteristics that might lead to instances of unacceptable off-field behaviour. Elite male athletes are often very self-centred, highly competitive, manipulative (in order to achieve specific goals), anti-authority, impulsive and aggressive. These characteristics are sought after by some sports and further developed through specific training regimes. Some of these characteristics are also typical of some personality disorders. Add a post-game social environment, an encouraging peer group, and the influence of disinhibiting drugs (alcohol and/or party drugs), and we find a recipe for criminal and other types of anti-social behaviour. Many of today's young professional athletes are away from the stabilising influence of the family, are paid very large salaries and have time between training sessions in which to be bored or to gamble or socialise. 2. The Sport: Contact sports and other highly competitive team sports are characterised by training regimes specifically designed to develop explosive power, competitiveness and aggression. And a wide range of supplements are taken by athletes to enhance their competitiveness. Complex sub-cultures exist where team bonding - often in the presence of alcohol - is highly desired. Sometimes the outcome resembles gang behaviour. We are often reminded by administrators and athletes that what happens on the field or on tour should stay on the field or tour. Various sports seem to have a culture where women are seen as playthings, or objects for gratification. Attractive young women are used in sport and alcohol advertising, they are encouraged to be cheerleaders, and they appear to be treated inappropriately by some sporting television shows. In some cases, women are treated like trophies. Sporting clubs sometimes go to extreme lengths to keep the antics of their players out of the media and will spend inordinate amounts of money defending players brought before the courts. They presumably do this because they want their reputation protected - they want to hang on to their sponsors and above all they ...