Equity – Equity means treating everyone fairly and making sure that all people have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed, especially when they face barriers because of things like race, gender, or income. Unlike equality, where everyone gets the same thing, equity recognizes that some people may need more help or support to overcome challenges and reach the same level of opportunity. For example, in education, equity might mean giving extra support to students who come from low-income families or face language barriers, so they have the same chances to succeed as other students. The goal of equity is to create fairness by addressing and removing obstacles that might hold certain groups back.

Old age is often shown in society through stereotypes that influence how we view older people. Many times, older adults are depicted as frail, or out of touch with modern life, especially with technology. This kind of representation can make people afraid of aging and lead to ageism, where older people are treated unfairly or even excluded. These stereotypes can result in older individuals being left out of workplaces, social activities, and other parts of life, as they are seen as less capable or relevant. However, there is a growing movement to change these negative views and show a more positive and realistic picture of aging. This image above is one of the many depicting older people traveling, working, or enjoying hobbies, showing that growing older doesn’t mean slowing down. This new way of representing aging helps to challenge the old stereotypes, showing that aging can be a time for growth and enjoyment. This shift is important because it helps people see old age in a better light, not as something to be feared or avoided, but as a part of life to be celebrated. Changing the way we represent older adults encourages a more inclusive society that values everyone, no matter their age or ability.

The statement that sport can help aging people to “accept and resist the aging process” means that sports can play a big role in how older adults experience aging in two ways. First, participating in sports can help older individuals accept the changes that come with getting older. Aging often involves physical changes, like less strength or energy, but sports allow people to acknowledge those changes without feeling defeated. By continuing to be active in sports, they can learn to embrace the natural process of aging and still feel good about staying fit. Second, sports also give older people a way to resist some of the negative effects of aging. Even as the body changes, staying active through sports can help people stay strong, healthy, and independent. Regular exercise can help prevent/delay health issues like muscle loss, joint pain, or problems with balance. By pushing themselves in sports, older adults can fight back against the idea that aging means slowing down or becoming limited in what they can do.

Age discrimination is “reported more than any form of prejudice” because society often sees older people as a “threat” to social values and interests. As people get older, they’re often thought of as less useful, less productive, and more of a burden on things like healthcare and social services. People might think that older adults aren’t contributing as much to society and are using up resources that could go to younger generations. Older adults are also sometimes seen as stuck in the past, not keeping up with new technology or changes in society. This can make them seem out of touch with what’s happening in the modern world. Because younger people are often seen as full of energy, new ideas, and the ability to keep up with fast changes, while older people are seen as slowing down, this creates negative views about aging. Because age discrimination affects so many areas of life, like work, healthcare, and social activities, it gets reported more. It’s something that everyone can face as they get older, and it affects many people, making it a bigger issue in society compared to other types of prejudice.

• 1) Pickleball is becoming a more popular sport with older people, but it has raised questions and concerns about how public parks are being used. For example, in San Francisco, the city is thinking about turning parking garage rooftops into pickleball courts. This has caused people to talk about how parks should be used and whether sports like pickleball should take up space that could be used for other things, like nature or community activities (Cronk, 2023).
• In Florida, the state wants to add pickleball courts and other facilities to state parks, but some people are worried that this could harm the environment and change the parks. They argue that the parks should stay focused on conservation and nature instead of being turned into places for sports (Brock, 2024). Both of these examples are showing the debate about balancing sports like pickleball with keeping public spaces available for everyone.

Cronk, S. (2023, October 11). Pickleball courts on parking garages? San Francisco weighs new options. SF Chronicle. https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/pickleball-parking-garage-20226702.php

Brock, K. (2024, August 22). Florida parks could get pickleball courts, golf courses — and conservationists are worried. WLRN. https://www.wlrn.org/environment/2024-08-22/pickleball-state-parks-golf-florida

• 2) Older pickleball players are often shown in the media as active and healthy, which can be empowering, but it also creates a bit of pressure on older people to stay fit. In Elizabeth Pike’s article, she talks about how society often expects older adults to fight aging by staying active, which can make aging feel like something to avoid. The media often shows older players enjoying pickleball in a fun and social way, but this portrayal can ignore the fact that it’s also part of a bigger trend where aging is linked to staying physically fit. There’s a sense that people are expected to keep their bodies in shape as they get older, almost as if it’s their duty to stay active and healthy. This reflects a neoliberal idea where people are responsible for their own well-being without considering other ways of aging. This idea is often reinforced in social media posts, which show older people playing pickleball and enjoying themselves. But this also reflects the pressure on them to stay young and healthy, which can lead to an unhealthy focus on appearance and fitness. It implies that the best way to age is by staying active, which can make people feel like they need to constantly prove their worth through physical activity. Overall, pickleball’s popularity shows how aging is often connected to staying fit, which can be difficult for some people. It puts pressure on older people to conform to a societal standard of youthfulness, even if it’s not what they need or want.