Kids Are Smarter Than You Think

I just received a press release from Sports Illustrated Kids that is very timely.

In a survey conducted by Sports Illustrated Kids and C&R Research, 86% of kids between the ages of 8 – 14 agree that athletes proven to have used performance enhancing drugs should not be allowed into their sport’s Hall of Fame. More than 1,000 kids were polled last month as part of a broad examination of kids’ views on sports, entertainment and the world around them. Full results of the poll will be highlighted in Sports Illustrated Kids “Kids Take Over” issue, on newsstands in early July.

Directly from the poll:

Question: If it’s proven that an athlete has used performance-enhancing drugs (such as steroids), should that person be allowed into their sport’s Hall of Fame?
· 86%: No, they should not be allowed in
· 10%: Depends on who it is
· 4%: Yes, they should be allowed in

Further, 30% of the kids polled volunteered that steroid, drug and alcohol use is the biggest problem in professional sports today, followed by criminal activity and arrests (9%).

The survey was conducted online in April, 2009, among a sample of 1,004 U.S. children ages 8-14. The sample was balanced and weighted to match 2007 U.S. Census figures for online households with children. The survey has a margin of error no worse than +/- 3.2%.

Children appear to have a pretty good handle on this. Cheaters should never prosper.