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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.
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The third age refers to retirement, according to Elizabeth Pike, it is the age when people are still in good health and are doing continuing work, and can be involved in many joys in life such as activities and being social. The third age is when you can enjoy life when you feel content in your life, stop working and other commitments, and enjoy a relaxing period in good health.
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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.
 This Image to me represents how I view, and what I see of elders represented in the media today. This image is two elders dancing together and to me, it is all a view of respect and happiness and how their younger self still shines through. I think old age represents that we are all young at heart and this image shows the love that everyone thrives to have to that age, still be able to dance with your partner just like they would in their teens.
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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.
| These two images I think represent well the meaning that sports might help aging people to both accept and resist the aging process. I believe what this means, is that there is just a need for adjustment, they might not be able to play tennis because the ball is heavier meaning they have to hit it harder to get it across the court and there is more movement involved because it is a bigger court, so accepting that because of aging and the fiscal demands of tennis, they might not be able to play that anymore but they could opt to play pickleball, a very similar sport to tennis, but a smaller court and lighter ball and paddle, so they can adjust to playing a less physically demanding sport well remaining active in a sport they love. |
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)
| According to Pike, groups who are less likely to have extensive opportunities include those with disabilities, the very frail, some minority ethnic groups, those confined to care facilities, and those living in rural areas. Privilege factors into aging and sports because there is less opportunity for the less fortunate in sports, there is very limited funding and resources for elders to have access to sports groups, and it is even worse if you live in a rural area or part of ethnic groups. As Pike mentions the only studies that have been done have been based on white people who are of the middle class, there is not much data on ethnic groups or people classed lower than the middle class. And those people are not receiving the information or attention on how to get out and be involved in sports and how meeting full that can be. The privilege factor in aging and sports is depriving many elders the chance to participate in sports later in life and the benefits that stem from that.
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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!
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Age discrimination is “reported more than any form of prejudice” because elders are viewed as less than others. Elders have been categorized as not valuable because of stereotypes that elders are weak, and cannot function as well as younger people. Elders are viewed as threats to social values and interests because of this fast pace of change in the world, specifically technologies, and elders might be viewed as slowing down the process because they might need assistance to keep up with the changes. Elders are seen as a threat because it is taking away the time and information that could be used to put against building up the youth who have their whole lives ahead of themselves. When in reality everyone will age at some point, and the progress of today is because of elders and I think that is often forgotten.
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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 difference in these ads is that the “This Girl Can” ad shows all ages participating in sports representing that “this girl” will age but still can participate in sports. Compared to the “you can’t stop us” ad, that is a bit contradicting because there is little to no representation of age. The only slight remarks of anyone out of their 20s or 30s are Serena Williams and Tiger Woods, but yet they are not of “elderly” age, so there is no representation of the campaign title “You can’t stop us” because it is representing that notion that age can stop us.
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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, because of women living longer than men. And it shows in the media representation that women fit the stereotypes better of aging such as being fragile and less independent because of factors like women becoming widows and, women often taking over the caregiver role. Because when a man dies, the woman in the relationship may be playing into the stereotype views of elders because she is now on her own and lacks the aspects that the man in the relationship brought into her life. And with women living longer then men, women are the ones that are there to be judged by society.
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Section Three: Module Mini Assignment
https://www.peacearchnews.com/opinion/letter-pickleball-has-ruined-this-surrey-park-7349763 https://www.ownenergy.net/sustainable-swings-how-pickleball-is-making-a-positive-environmental-impact 2. In this article there is no mention of elder people, it is based around kids and the youth when talking about the park. Pickleball is a great way for elders to stay active, it is very easy for them to pick up this sport because it is low impact and a great way for elders to be social. This is not mentioned in the article of elders and they fit the stereotype that they are overlooked and incapable. Pickleball is arguably the most popular sport for elders and the decision to not have the courts built is completely disregarding elders. There are mentions of kids using the greenspace and baseball field but there are tons of other spots to do those activities that elders do not participate in. I understand the importance of green space but again as I have said previously community is about inclusion and bringing people together and pickleball is a way to include everyone. as well as I previously mentioned there is the discussion of noise and I agree that can be an issue but where this park is located is already on a busy street and there are ways around the noise by limiting the hours of play. But yet again noise means it is being well used and already the a lack of resources for elders to participate in sports, this article is another example of that, and they need a place to be active and have a sense of community and pickelball is the answer to that. |
