I think a major part of the problem is the lack of decent role-models these days. The average pro bodybuilder these days is a steroid-bloated single guy in his early 20s. He isn't concerned with health and longevity in the slightest. Long gone are the days when John Grimek talked about his wife being a source of strength for him and Reg Park advised trainees to relax with a book so they could recover more completely. Clearly, back then the focus of bodybuilding was on "body building", but nowadays the focus of bodybuilding has taken a definite shift towards social status.
I really don't mean to vilify modern bodybuilders or "tar them all with the one brush", but what I've described is the general trend. These days, most young men lift to get laid and to intimidate other boys - which, of course, the always did - but they have forgotten about the health and character development that comes from proper training. True role-models are few and far between nowadays ...or at least these people don't get the publicity. I know there are still more positive role models out there, but they are in the minority.
Besides, bodybuilding is hard work. Natural bodybuilding is much harder. It requires years of struggle, effort, dedication, persistence and patience ...when, at times, progress comes at a snail's pace and it seems like all the work is for nothing. It takes a very strong, principled person to resist the temptation of a quick-fix, in light of this. Why should young lifters demonstrate the strength of character to remain drug-free when their modern role-models didn't?
