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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.

Equality means that everyone is treated fairly and given the same opportunities and resources. It means providing support so that everyone has an equal chance to success.

 

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.

There are many different representations of old age in media. One of the most common is in a negative light. Older people are often shown as weak, forgetful, sickly or dependent on others like family members or… They are also shown   as lonely or out of touch with society. A more realistic and respectful portrayals of older aged individuals can help fight ageism and promote inclusion.

Dear john❤️ - image #2010531 on Favim.com

 

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.

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)

Those less likely to have extensive opportunities to take part in sports are 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 sport in many different ways such as access to resources, social norms and representations. Sports culture often prioritizes youth, strength, and able-bodies. There is also very little representation for older adults in sport, racial minorities, or disabled individuals can be discourage to participation which further reinforces the notion that sport isn’t for old people or people like me.

 

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!

There are many reasons why I think age discrimination is “reported more than any form of prejudice” with older people. Everyone ages, but our society is built around ideals of youth, productivity, and independence, aging is often viewed as a process of decline rather than a natural or valuable life stages, they are portrayed  as a  “burdens” to the healthcare system and others. Older people are seen as a threat because society values more youthfulness and is rarely challenged.

 

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 of these ads promote inclusivity and empowerment through sport but I think that This Girl Can – Me Again is the more inclusive out of the two. It promotes women of diverse ages and backgrounds encourages  women to be physical activity while Nike’s ad  focused on elite athleticism and a younger demographics and when there is an older individual they are often portrayed in a high-performance contexts, which does not reflect the broader aging population.

 

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.

 

Yes, I agree that aging has ben “feminized”. Pike states that women are living longer than men on average, so older populations are often made up of more women than men. The feminization of aging  shows up in how older women are judged more than men when it comes to appearance. Media often target older women with anti-aging products reinforcing the idea that aging is something they should hide or try to fix.

 

Section Three: Module Mini Assignment

“The Great Peterborough Pickleball Debacle” Case Study
Using the Pike article in Section One as a reference, analyze popular depictions/discussions/critiques of pickleball as a “sport trend” that has proved enormously appealing to older segments of the population.
1) Describe the problem as you understand it. Read this article for background and source two  other media /social media pieces.
2) Leaving aside the clear issues with process and priorities, consider how the older pickleball athletes/advocates are represented in the media/social media discussions of the issue. Is ageism a factor in these representations? Where do you see a neoliberal agenda around aging at work in these stories (provide examples and refer back to the Pike article for guidance). Include any images you think may be relevant?  (300 words)
Worth: 5%
Due: April 15th along with module work
  1. The rise of pickleball as a popular sport especially among older adults. Pike suggests that older adults often face limited opportunities for  engagement in sport due to physical barriers, and  stereotypes like lack of appropriate programming, and assumptions that they are too frail or not in participating in physical activities. The article “Is a park still a park if it’s paved?” by Elaine Anselmi explores the controversy surrounding Peterborough, Ontario’s plan to redevelop Bonnerworth Park. The plan is to replace existing green spaces with 16 pickleball courts, a parking lot, a bike track, and an expanded skate park. This  reflects broader planning challenges where the introduction of recreational facilities can lead to the reduction of green spaces.
  2. I believe that agism does play a role in how older pickleball athletes/advocates are represented in the media/social media discussions. It can have an impact their physical health and social life as they are often portrayed as a burden.

 

 

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This work (Gender, Sport, and Social Justice by Kelly McGuire) is free of known copyright restrictions.

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