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Section One: The Fundamentals
A) Keywords
Exercise 1:
Provide a brief definition of one of the padlet keywords for this week.
| Aging Habitus, describes how individuals experience and navigate aging, influenced by societal expectations, environmental context, and cultural norms. Similar to labelling theory, it highlights how people internalize societal views about their bodies, health, and social roles as they grow older, which in turn shapes their behavior and perception of reality. Rooted in Bourdieu’s concept of habitus, it emphasizes the role of social, cultural, and economic conditions in shaping the aging process and influencing one’s sense of identity and understanding of aging.
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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.
To me, this image represents a vibrant and positive view of aging. It challenges the typical stereotype that older adults are fragile or inactive. Instead, it highlights how later life can still be full of energy, connection, and purpose. My own grandmother is the perfect example of this. She plays pickleball four times a week, goes for 5km walks every day, and still makes time to golf and curl regularly. Watching her live such an active and social lifestyle has completely changed how I think about aging. It shows me that getting older does not mean slowing down, it just means adapting and continuing to do what brings you joy. This image reflects that same spirit of vitality and reminds me that old age can be just as lively, meaningful, and full of community as any other stage of life. |
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.
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In the study by Dionigi, sport is seen as a way for older adults to both “accept and resist the aging process.” Playing sports or staying active helps them resist aging by keeping their bodies strong and pushing back against the idea that getting older means slowing down. At the same time, it helps with acceptance because it encourages people to adjust to changes in their bodies, focus on personal growth, and find new ways to define themselves as they age. Personally, I think these ideas make a lot of sense. When older adults stay active, whether it’s walking, stretching, or playing a sport, it keeps their bodies loose and strong, but it also keeps their minds working. Physical activity helps with mental clarity, and I’ve read that exercise can even keep the brain sharp, which is super important as people get older. Plus, a lot of older adults live alone, so going out to play sports or take part in group activities is a great way for them to sociaize. It gives them something to look forward to and helps build a sense of community. I think that kind of interaction is just as imporant as the physical benefits because it keeps them emotionally connected and less isolated.
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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)
| Elizabeth Pike draws attention to how access to sport in later life is shaped by multiple forms of inequality. She explains that barriers are not just financial factors like gender roles, disability, and racial bias also play a major part in excluding certain groups. For instance, many working-class women grow up being taught to prioritize caregiving over personal enjoyment, and they often lack access to suitable spaces for recreation. Older adults with disabilities face both physical access issues and societal assumptions that limit their involvement. She also critiques the way the fitness and wellness industry caters mostly to wealthy, non-disabled retirees, presenting athletic engagement as a personal accomplishment rather than recognizing the structural obstacles that prevent equal access. As a result, those with privilege continue to benefit from staying active, while others are left behind, often with worsening health outcomes. Pike challenges the popular idea of “active aging,” arguing that it does little to reduce inequality and instead continues to favor those who already have the means to participate. |
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!
| Age discrimination is often reported more than other types of prejudice because it is very common and sometimes seen as normal. Older people are often shown as a problem for society, by taking up too many health resources, not working anymore, or slowing down progress. In a world that values youth, speed, and new ideas, older adults can be seen as out of touch or less useful. For example, an older person might apply for a job they are fully qualified for, but get passed over in favor of a younger candidate, simply because of assumptions about their age or ability to keep up. This kind of thinking leads to the belief that older adults do not fit in with modern life. The media often adds to this by showing aging in a negative way. Ageism can affect anyone as they grow older, which makes it very common, but because it’s so normalized, it often goes unnoticed.
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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.
| The two ads send powerful messages about movement and empowerment, but they differ in how inclusive they are, especially when it comes to age. Nike’s “You Can’t Stop Us” is visually striking and highlights a wide range of athletes across race, gender, and ability. However, it mainly focuses on younger individuals and does not show much representation of older adults. On the other hand, the “This Girl Can – Me Again” campaign is more inclusive when it comes to age. It features women of different body types and life stages, including older women, being active in ways that feel real and achievable. This ad challenges the idea that sports and exercise are only for the young, encouraging people to reconnect with their bodies at any age. While both ads are inspiring, “This Girl Can” stands out for how it represents aging in a positive, relatable, and empowering way. |
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.
| The term “feminization of aging,” as discussed by Elizabeth Pike, reflects how aging is not only a biological process but also a social and gendered one. Statistically, women live longer than men, a result of several factors, including hormonal protections like estrogen, social habits where men take more risks, and a general reluctance among men to seek medical care. Yet, the issue runs deeper than longevity. Older women are more likely to carry the emotional and physical weight of caregiving, often while facing financial struggles due to wage gaps and time spent out of the workforce. They are also judged harshly under ageist standards that prioritize youth and beauty. At the same time, aging is not only a women’s issue. Though older men are less visible in discussions, they often maintain more social power while quietly dealing with problems like loneliness or untreated health issues. This shows that aging is shaped by overlapping systems, gender, class, and social expectations, and needs to be understood in a more intersectional way. |
Section Three: Module Mini Assignment
| I completed this as assingment 2, attached separately |
