In Elizabeth Pike’s article “Assessing the sociology of sport: On age and ability”, the third age is defined as a period of retirement from a paid job during which people can continue to live active lives in excellent health. This is one of two periods in which old age is often understood, with the other being the fourth age, which is characterized by growing health challenges and a loss in social involvement. The growing number of “Third Age Societies,” in which the majority of the population may expect to live above the age of 70, has brought out the importance of studying aging and later life, particularly the function of sport for older persons. The advent of these cultures is due to greater life spans and indications of a more “heroic” understanding of the possibilities of ageing.

In this image is an old woman happily using a hula hoop outside, with another person in the background also participating in the action. Perhaps a small group or elders hula-hooping. To me, this image portrays a vivid and joyful vision of aging, emphasizing fun, physical activity, and enjoyment above decline or constraint. It challenges traditional notions of old age as a period of sickness or isolation, emphasizing the possibilities of movement, enjoyment, and social interaction at every stage of life. The illustration indicates that aging does not entail losing one’s sense of joy or ability to participate in active and important activities. Which I think is something many people think about when they imagine about getting older.

Both of these image depicts elderly people competing and illustrating resistance to aging by demonstrating continuous engagement in competitive sports, overcoming notions of physical inaction in old age.​ Showing how elders accept the aging process, supporting a healthy and powerful approach to aging.

Age discrimination is more widely reported than other forms of prejudice, due to societal beliefs and barriers associated with aging. Older people are frequently portrayed as a threat to communal goals and interests owing to reliance stereotypes, in which they are perceived as drains on healthcare systems, pensions, and resources. This mindset is worsened by demographic changes, as aging populations in many countries raise concerns about the long-term viability of social services, leading to negative attitudes of older people as putting strain on these systems. Furthermore, cultural movements that value youth and encourage innovation, speed, and technology can lead to the marginalization of older individuals, who may be perceived as out of touch or resistant to change. In the workplace, the ideal employee is usually depicted as young, adaptable, and tech-savvy, which adds to age discrimination in recruiting and career advancement, propagating the false belief that older people are less capable.

After watching both ads, the differences shown are in Nike’s “You Can’t Stop Us” video is a high-energy, elaborately produced montage of split-screen footage that seamlessly blends athletes from diverse sports, backgrounds, and skills. The advertisement highlights top and professional athletes, depicting them in situations of both difficulty and accomplishment. Whereas “This Girl Can – Me Again” has a more intimate and friendly tone, portraying everyday women from all backgrounds engaging in physical activities. It focuses on self-empowerment, body positivity, and the enjoyment of exercise without the pressure of competition. In terms of inclusiveness, I found both ads to be inclusive but in different ways. Nike’s advertising showcases a diverse range of athletes, including Paralympic competitors, women wearing hijabs, and individuals of many colours and ethnicities. However, it is concerned mainly with professional sports, which may make it less relevant to a wider audience. However, I think “This Girl Can – Me Again” is more inclusive in general since it appeals to the general public because it features non-professional women of all body types and fitness levels. It focuses on challenging stereotypes about what an active person “should” look like, making exercise more accessible to all women, regardless of skill level or ability. Lastly, “This Girl Can – Me Again” portrays age more welcomingly. It depicts old women engaged in physical activities, emphasizing that fitness benefits people of all ages. This boosts its efficacy in defying norms about aging and physical activity.

Yes, I agree that aging has been “feminized” as Elizabeth Pike says. According to Elizabeth Pike, there is a “trend towards a ‘feminisation of ageing’, with many women living longer than men”. This shows that women make up a bigger part of the senior population due to their longer life expectancy. The article states that, while this tendency occurs, gender has usually been overlooked as a topic for investigation in the sociology of sport and aging. Older women are connected with caregiving, which has contributed to feminization of aging. Many elderly women continue to care for their spouses, grandchildren, or other family members even as they age. This reinforces the assumption that women should carry out caring tasks throughout their lives, particularly in old age. Furthermore, aging women face considerable societal pressures to retain their appearance, with organizations disproportionately targeting them with anti-aging products and procedures. While men may be allowed to “age gracefully,” women are typically expected to resist visible signs of aging, linking their worth with youth. Furthermore, media representations of aging often focus on women’s experiences, particularly menopause, widowhood, and social isolation. While elderly men may be seen as intelligent or distinguished, older women are more likely to be viewed as fragile, lonely, or struggling with blindness. This reinforces the idea that aging is primarily a female issue, despite the fact that it affects everyone.