6
Section One: The Fundamentals
A) Keywords
Exercise 1:
Provide a brief definition of one of the Padlet keywords for this week.
|
There are many different types of equality, such as social, economic, gender and even legal equality. The umbrella meaning of equality is the fair treatment of everyone, which means everyone has the same opportunities to succeed and is ensured no disadvantages. Each specific category of equality ensures that every group of people have the same rights and advantages they need to be on an equal playing field.
|
B) The Social Significance of Aging in Sport
Exercise 2: Notebook Prompt
How is old age popularly represented today? Find an image online that you think exemplifies one defining attitude towards old age and paste in your notebook below with a brief explanation of what this image means to you.
I think the most popular characteristic trait associated with old age today is wisdom, since aging people have lived many years, experiencing many different situations, they are often considered wise and those to go to for advise. |
Exercise 3: Notebook Prompt
What does the article (referencing another study by Dionigi) mean by its statement that sport can help aging people to simultaneously “accept and resist the ageing process” (572)? Respond by audio or text and find paste two images sourced online into your notebook showing how sport might help aging people to both accept and resist the aging process.
| Sports help aging people as they allow them to deal with their aging bodies and help them become aware of their limits and strengths. It, however, helps them push back against the stereotypes within society that come with the idea of aging, such as aging people being too weak to play sports or to do anything.
These images show how aging people may need things such as canes or wheelchairs to support them however, they are just as capable of participating in sports as younger individuals are. |
Exercise 4: Notebook Prompt
Who are the groups less likely to have extensive opportunities to take part in sports, according to Pike? How does privilege factor into aging and sport? (200 words max)
| The groups who are less likely to have extensive opportunities to take part in sports, according to Pike, are women, minority groups, working individuals, those with disabilities and older individuals. Lack of opportunities, time or even resources plays a factor in why they are less likely to have opportunities. Privilege plays a major factor as well as many individuals can’t afford to buy equipment or join teams. Many groups may also not have representation in sports, making them feel as if they aren’t welcome within certain sports, which can be due to race, gender or even age. |
Exercise 5: Padlet Discussion
Why do you think age discrimination is “reported more than any form of prejudice” with older people presented as a threat to social values and interests? Feel welcome to use video in your responses. Paste your comments (or transcript of your video) below!
| I believe age discrimination is reported more than any form of prejudice, with older people being presented as a threat to social values and interests because of many factors such as the fact that we all age, with other minorities they consit of things that are specific to a specific group but aging happens to everyone no matter who you are. Therefore, it is something that is often feared especially when it comes with representations in the media where they seem weak and forgotten. Within today’s society, everything is focused on youth and social change, therefore, aging people are seen as a group that is not easily profitable, which in a consumer’s mind makes them less useful. This is what causes them to receive prejudice from other groups.
|
B) Older Women and Sport
Exercise 6: Notebook Prompt
What differences do you see in these ads? Which one is more inclusive? How is age represented or not represented in each? Answer these questions in your notebook.
| Both these ads touched on different minorities within sports, however, one focused on a wide range of minorities, whether that be race, gender, religion or even disabilities. The other focused mainly on women and the struggles we face as a gender. I would say that the 1st ad would be more inclusive as it provided more individuals to feel welcomed into sports as there was a representation for almost everyone. Although I would say age was poorly represented in both ads, as neither had a good representation of elder people, the first did show young to middle-aged individuals and the 2nd mainly middle-aged women, but neither contained elderly adults. |
Exercise 7: Notebook Prompt
In her article, “Assessing the sociology of sport: On age and ability,” Elizabeth Pike references a “trend towards a ‘feminisation of ageing’, with many women living longer than men” (573). Do you agree that aging has been “feminized” in this way? How? Answer these questions in your notebook.
| I do agree that aging has been “feminized” in this way because it is known that women do live longer when it comes to men, therefore, those who deal with aging are more likely to be women. Also, Women in general are more likely to experience discrimination, therefore, the idea of intersectionality comes into play when thinking about elderly women, they will face judgment not only on how old they are and what they are capable of as a aging person but also the many struggles women face, such as the beauty standards, being a caregiver. Due to this, they are more likely to have a lack of support and tend to feel more self-conscious. |
Section Three: Module Mini Assignment
| According to Pike, engagement in sports has become very important for older adults, as society has created this image of older adults physically declining, but this isn’t completely true, as many older individuals participate in many sports. Due to these challenges and ageist critiques, Pike strives to find a more inclusive view of sports in order to empower older adults. Pickleball has become an appealing sport for older adults because there is a low impact rate, it isn’t a very intense sport and has small courts therefore, it is less damaging on older bodies. It is also not an overly complicated sport, meaning it is easy for elder people to learn and get the hang of it.
There are many benefits to this sport; however, according to Anselmi, many residents are angry that parks with green spaces are being paved over to create spaces such as pickleball courts, and many are concerned that the lack of green spaces will be bad for the environment. This, however, isn’t the only issue with pickleball courts, as many have argued about the noise. According to an article written by Lothian Shakyaver and another by MacDonald, the removal of pickleball courts due to “sound levels to be well above the suggested limit for commercial and industrial settings” (Lothian,2024) and receiving many complaints. Court removals in Halifax are being considered due to this, and players ignoring rules that were created to reduce disruption. These courts are still beneficial, which is why there will be research done to find a better location for these courts. When looking at Pike’s article, it is evident that older pickleball players tend to be misrepresented, as the media often plays into the stereotypes. The media rarely has representation of older people, they play into the stereotype that they are societal burdens, due to their bodies being weak or incapable of physical activity. As we have seen throughout this module in videos such as the Nike ad, there was representation for almost every group except for older people. Ads need to start providing images of older people who promote healthy lifestyles, where it is shown that they can find a community and enjoy their time doing so, such as the images below.
References Anselmi, E. (2024). Plan to pave a Peterborough Park for pickleball faces pushback . The Narwhal. MacDonald, G. (2025). Noise complaints force closure of Halifax pickleball courts. The Chronicle Herald. Pike, E. C. (2015). Assessing the sociology of sport: On age and ability. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 50(4–5), 570–574.
Robert Lothian, B. S. (2024, November 25). Pickleball passion provokes noise problem for Tecumseh residents. CTVNews. |
