‘Steroids, it’s so much an identity thing!’ perceptions of steroid use, risk and masculine body image

Abstract

This paper explores how taste and distaste, body image and masculinity play into young people's perceptions of risk related to steroid use. Data are drawn from a qualitative study on risk-taking among 52 Danish youths enrolled in high school or vocational training. A number of 'risky' practices such as drug use, fights, speeding, etc. were discussed. In contrast to these practices, which were primarily described in relation to 'physical risks', steroid use was understood as part of an 'identity' or 'lifestyle' in a way these other risks were not. Few interviewees had used steroids, and the large majority distanced themselves from the practice. Reasons for not wanting to use steroids were related to (1) perceiving the drug to be part of a broader lifestyle and identity that they are not interested in committing to or embodying and (2) finding the body image, physicality and associations with steroid use 'fake', 'gross' and distasteful. We draw on recent developments in feminist sociological theory related to the gendered body as both a performance and process to understand steroid use as a practice through which the body and self is produced. More than a one-dimensional 'risky' practice, we argue that gendered and embodied identities are crucial to understanding the dynamics of steroid use. IntroductionThis paper explores how notions of taste and distaste, body image and normative masculinities play into young people's perceptions of risk related to steroid use. Drawing on data from a qualitative study about youth risk-taking and risk perceptions, we investigate the meanings associated with one specific practice, namely steroid use. The discussions around steroid use in the interviews differed significantly from discussions of other risk-taking practices such as recreational drug use, street level fighting or speeding. These practices were mainly discussed in relation to risks specific to participating in the activity (such as being injured in fights or car crashes, getting sick from poor-quality ecstasy pills or becoming addicted to specific drugs). In contrast, the risks associated with steroids were perceived to extend beyond the 'physical' risks of use, and were understood in a broader context of associations between masculinities, bodily appearances and identities.Importantly, only one of the participants had used steroids themselves, meaning that in contrast to other studies describing steroid-users' own perspectives (Monaghan 2001b;

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Australia's Adonis: Understanding what motivates young men's lifestyle choices for enhancing their appearance

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Adverse Effects, Health Service Engagement, and Service Satisfaction Among Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Users

“…Recreationally, AAS are used to increase muscle mass, improve physical appearance, and enhance strength or athletic performance (Brennan, Wells, & Van Hout, 2016; Ip, Barnett, Tenerowicz, & Perry, 2011; Ip et al, 2015). Reasons for initiating use include body dissatisfaction (Kimergård, 2015), low confidence or poor self-esteem (Cohen, Collins, Darkes, & Gwartney, 2007; Maycock & Howat, 2009), safety and security (Maycock & Howat, 2009), to improve social status (Griffiths, Henshaw, McKay, & Dunn, 2015; Maycock & Howat, 2009; Seer, Fraser, Moore, & Murphy, 2015), or to fit into a “fitness” lifestyle or identity (Ravn & Coffey, 2016).…”