SPT 510: Evaluating the Impact of Penn State Scandal on Society

This report examines the impact of the child sex abuse scandal at Pennsylvania State University on the surrounding society. It evaluates the economic impact of the university, highlighting its role as a major contributor to Pennsylvania's economy, generating over $17 billion annually and suppor...Read More

Running head: SPORTS AND SOCIETY
Sports and Society
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author note

2SPORTS AND SOCIETY
Introduction
Sport acts as an important part of the society in the present age and it plays a big role in the lives of the
people. Pennsylvania State University is the name of a doctoral university that has campuses throughout the
region of Pennsylvania that offers teaching along with research services. The scandal in Penn State in relation
to child sex abuse took place when the coach engaged himself in sexual abuse of the children that took place
over a course of 15 years. This study elaborates on the economic impact of the organization and the various
factors that helps in determining economic impact of event. The study also discusses about changes that has
been made by the organization after the event and the role that is played by public policy.
Impact of the Sports Issue
Economic impact of Pennsylvania State University
The economic impact of Pennsylvania State University is that it has been able to bring about prosperity
for the region of Pennsylvania. The University acts as the largest contributor in the economy of the state that
helps in the generation of more than that of $ 17 billion annually (News.psu.edu., 2019). Penn State helps in
generating around $ 8.5 billion pertaining to direct along with indirect economic impact. It helps in supporting
around 67,000 jobs and it plays a part in influencing $ 8.7 billion with the help of its business services.
Factors determining economic impact
The factors that helps in determining the economic impact of event is the scale of the event along with
its impact on the society. The economic impact pertaining to an event were determined by the help of the
number of boys who were victims of abuse that was carried out by Jerry Sandusky (Insidehighered.com., 2019).
The coaching assistant had been found guilty of sexual abuse and he was convicted for 45 cases that helped in
determining economic impact.
Factors determining social cultural impact
The factors that were responsible for the determination of the socio-cultural impact was the prestige of
the organization within which the child sex scandal had taken place. It had a great impact on the attitude of the
society as it instilled fear in the minds of the parents who would send their children to the organization

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(Sadlersports.com., 2019). The factor that determined socio-cultural impact was the repeated nature of the
abuse that was carried out by the defensive co-ordinator.
Organizational changes
There were many organizational changes that were brought about in Pennsylvania State University after
the scandals pertaining to child abuse erupted in the organization. The university has implemented policies that
can help in protecting the children in the campus. The Penn State problem has made policies that can address
the reporting procedures in relation to suspected child abuse. The new policies harped on checking the
background of those people who would oversee the minors.
Role of public policy and law
The public policy in Penn State helps in educating next generation of the problem solvers so that they
can evolve as leaders in the future. Public policy along with the laws in the sports organization talks about the
resources that can help in preventing the incidence of child abuse. The public policy emphasizes the fact that
there should be molestation awareness training that can help in identification of the different kinds of abuses
that takes place within sports organization.
Impact of organization for cultural along with political change
The child abuse scandal that took place within Pennsylvania State University succeeded in bringing
about cultural and the political changes. The changes in Penn State stated the fact that there should be annual
training on the reporting procedures for the staffs who work with the children (Palmer & Feldman, 2017). The
cultural change that was brought in by the incident was in relation to the fact that it made the students along
with the volunteers report regarding child abuse to the local police that can bring about changes in the society.
The political forces stressed on the importance of dignity of the child that can ensure their safety in society.
Society’s response to positive along with negative effects of event
The positive effects of the events was in relation to the fact that it drew the attention of the policymakers
along with the public towards the laws pertaining to child sexual abuse. There was positive response among the

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society as they grew careful regarding the safety of their children (Donnelly et al., 2016). The society started to
look with distrust upon the sanctity of the sports organizations.
Perception of society about Pennsylvania State University
The perception of society changed after the child sex abuse scandal was exposed within Pennsylvania
State University. A negative impression was created in the mind of the public after the event (Fasting, 2015).
The surrounding society was imbibed with fear owing to the incident and they wanted staff screening that can
help in the recurrence of such kind of events in the organization.
Conclusion
Sports has a major impact on the society and it helps in bringing about changes in lives of people. The
issue in Penn State gave rise to policies pertaining to reporting procedures that can help in offering protection to
child. The event was able to draw the attention of policy makers and the public that helped in changing laws in
relation to child sex abuse.

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References
Donnelly, P., Kerr, G., Heron, A., & DiCarlo, D. (2016). Protecting youth in sport: An examination of
harassment policies. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 8(1), 33-50.
Fasting, K. (2015). Assessing the sociology of sport: on sexual harassment research and policy. International
Review for the Sociology of Sport, 50(4-5), 437-441.
Insidehighered.com. (2019). Colleges create child abuse policies after Penn State scandal. Retrieved from
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2012/05/25/colleges-create-child-abuse-policies-after-penn-state-
scandal
News.psu.edu. (2019). Penn State is economic engine, generating over $17 billion in impact | Penn State
University. Retrieved from https://news.psu.edu/story/177532/2009/04/23/penn-state-economic-engine-
generating-over-17-billion-impact
Palmer, D., & Feldman, V. (2017). Toward a more comprehensive analysis of the role of organizational culture
in child sexual abuse in institutional contexts. Child abuse & neglect, 74, 23-34.
Sadlersports.com. (2019). Child Abuse/Molestation Awareness Training for Sports Organizations. Retrieved
from https://www.sadlersports.com/child-abuse-molestation-awareness-training-sports-organizations/