6
Section One: The Fundamentals
A) Keywords
Exercise 1:
Provide a brief definition of one of the padlet keywords for this week.
| The term I chose is “The Anti-Aging Agenda”, which focuses on extending the number of years people live in good health, emphasizing physical activity, medical advancements, and social policies that promote active aging. Rather than just increasing lifespan, it challenges stereotypes of aging as a decline. However, access to these benefits is unequal, as wealthier individuals have more opportunities for specialized care, fitness programs, and healthcare. Pike (2015) underscores how aging is socially constructed, with active aging often framed as a responsibility rather than a right. To ensure fairness, policies must support equal access to resources that enable all individuals to age healthily and actively. |
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.
| Old age today is often represented through contrasting narratives. On one hand, it is depicted as a time of frailty, decline, and dependency, reinforcing ageist stereotypes that limit the possibilities for older individuals. Media and advertising frequently show seniors as passive, in need of care, or disconnected from modern technology and social life. On the other hand, an emerging counter-narrative presents aging as an active, vibrant phase of life. This representation emphasizes older adults engaging in fitness, extreme sports, lifelong learning, and even entrepreneurship, promoting an image of “successful aging”. Academic research, such as Elizabeth Pike’s (2015) work on aging in sports in “Assessing the sociology of sport: On age and ability”, critiques how physical activity for older individuals is often framed within an anti-aging agenda rather than as an empowering and enjoyable activity in itself. This reflects a societal expectation that older people should “defy” aging rather than embrace it. I have selected an image of an elderly woman lifting weights in a gym, a common representation of “heroic aging”. To me, this image signifies both empowerment and the pressure placed on older individuals to remain visibly productive and youthful. It challenges the stereotype of fragility while raising questions regarding societal expectations: should aging be about defying decline, or should we embrace the full spectrum of experiences that come with it? This image underscores the evolving discourse on aging, where older individuals navigate between societal constraints and newfound freedoms. However, it is also critical to examine the motivations behind such performances. If she’s choosing to lift weights because it brings her joy, strength, or identity, that’s empowering. But if she’s doing it to avoid judgment or to conform to unrealistic ideals of health and vitality, it becomes more complicated, underscoring the tension Pike (2015) explores in the “heroic” model of aging, which celebrates resistance to decline but risks marginalizing those who age differently.
References Pike, E. C. (2015). Assessing the sociology of sport: On age and ability. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 50(4-5), 570-574. https://doi-org.proxy1.lib.trentu.ca/10.1177/1012690214550009 |
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.
| The article “Assessing the sociology of sport: On age and ability” by Elizabeth Pike (2015), examines Dionigi’s notions further by exploring how sport becomes a deeply personal way for aging individuals to both come to terms with and push back against the realities of growing older. Engaging in sport means recognizing the inevitable physical changes, diminished strength, speed, or endurance, which come with age, an acknowledgment of the body’s evolving limitations. At the same time, participation in sport serves as a powerful way to reject the common narrative that aging equals decline, frailty, or withdrawal from an active life. Many older adults use sports as a means of self-expression, proving both to themselves and to society that aging does not mean losing vitality, competitiveness, or a sense of belonging within their communities. The increasing popularity of competitions and other inclusive sporting events reflects this drive, with older athletes continuously pushing their limits and redefining what it means to grow older. The resistance to aging is powerfully demonstrated by the image of an 80-year-old man competing at a high level in a grueling cross-country race, pushing his physical limits, defying age-related stereotypes, and proving that endurance, strength, and determination do not have to fade with time. Additionally, physical activity is often embraced as a strategy to maintain health and independence, aligning with broader cultural ideals that promote aging as something to be managed and controlled rather than simply experienced. The acceptance of aging is exemplified by the image of a group of seniors participating in a gentle chair yoga session, engaging in mindful movement that prioritizes flexibility, balance, and overall well-being, while recognizing and respecting the natural changes in their bodies. However, as Pike (2015) notes, this raises important questions about whether older adults engage in sport on their own terms or due to societal pressures to embody an ideal of “successful aging”. Ultimately, sport provides a space where aging individuals navigate a complex balance, accepting change while refusing to be confined by it, challenging long-held assumptions about aging, ability, and the evolving role of older adults in society.
References Pike, E. C. (2015). Assessing the sociology of sport: On age and ability. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 50(4-5), 570-574. https://doi-org.proxy1.lib.trentu.ca/10.1177/1012690214550009 |
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 (2015) identifies several groups that are less likely to have extensive opportunities to participate in sports in “Assessing the sociology of sport: On age and ability”, including individuals with disabilities, the very frail, minority ethnic groups, those living in rural areas, and those confined to care facilities. These populations face structural and cultural barriers that limit their engagement in physical activities, from inadequate facilities to social stigmas about aging bodies and ability. Privilege plays a significant role in aging and sport, as access to economic and cultural capital heavily influences participation. Those with financial resources can afford memberships, specialized equipment, and travel to sporting events, while those from marginalized backgrounds often lack these opportunities. Additionally, privilege shapes perceptions of aging; while some older adults are celebrated for their athleticism in “heroic” models of aging, others who cannot or choose not to participate in sports face stigma. Women, in particular, are disproportionately affected due to societal expectations around caregiving and gender norms, which further limit their engagement in physical activity. Ultimately, Pike (2015) urges for a more inclusive approach to aging and sport, one that challenges stereotypes, expands access, and recognizes diverse experiences rather than reinforcing exclusionary norms.
References Pike, E. C. (2015). Assessing the sociology of sport: On age and ability. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 50(4-5), 570-574. https://doi-org.proxy1.lib.trentu.ca/10.1177/1012690214550009 |
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 immensely prevalent as it touches something deeply personal, our fear of getting older and what that means in a society obsessed with youth, productivity, and physical perfection. I’ve seen it firsthand in the way older people are treated at work, in sports, and even in casual conversations. There’s this unspoken idea that once you reach a certain age, you become less capable, less relevant, and even a burden. In “Assessing the sociology of sport: On age and ability”, Elizbeth Pike (2015) talks about how older people are framed as threats to social values, which makes sense when you think about how much our world revolves around speed, efficiency, and constant change. When someone older challenges that whether by staying in the workforce longer, continuing to compete in sports, or simply refusing to “act their age” it makes people uncomfortable. The media does not help either, constantly pushing anti-ageing products and glorifying youth while making ageing seem like something to fight against rather than embrace. What is frustrating is that these stereotypes ignore the reality that many older adults are thriving, staying active, and contributing in meaningful ways. I’ve had a conversation with an older family member who was in the advertising industry for 15 years, well respected in the industry, won many awards, who at age 39 was dismissed from their strategy role due to the fact that someone their age could not possibly understand what is relevant to younger people. This perspective makes a person feel invisible, dismissed, or pressured to step aside, even when they still have so much to offer. It is not just about changing policies; it’s about shifting mindsets. As a society we need to stop seeing ageing as a problem to be fixed and start valuing the wisdom, experience, and resilience that come with it. Otherwise, we are just reinforcing a cycle of fear and exclusion that will eventually catch up with all of us.
References Pike, E. C. (2015). Assessing the sociology of sport: On age and ability. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 50(4-5), 570-574. https://doi-org.proxy1.lib.trentu.ca/10.1177/1012690214550009 |
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 advertisements, Nike’s (2020) “You Can’t Stop Us” and This Girl Can’s (2020) “Me Again”, differ significantly in their approach to representation and inclusivity. Nike’s ad primarily features young athletes, typically between the ages of 16-35, focusing on both men and women, with an emphasis on athletic, physically idealized bodies. While it is commendable for including disabled athletes, it largely excludes older people, making the ad feel limited in its age representation. The bodies shown in Nike’s (2020) ad conform to traditional fitness standards, portraying strength through physical perfection. In contrast, This Girl Can (2020) “Me Again” offers a more inclusive representation by highlighting women of all ages, from young girls to older women, and including mothers, teens, and young adults. It celebrates diversity not only in age but also in body type, size, and shape, presenting a wider definition of fitness and empowerment. The ad embraces women who do not fit conventional beauty standards, encouraging inclusivity in both appearance and ability. In terms of inclusivity, This Girl Can (2020) “Me Again” is the more inclusive of the two ads. It breaks free from the narrow age range and body ideals that dominate many fitness campaigns. Nike’s (2020) ad, while progressive in its inclusion of disabled athletes, limits its age representation and emphasizes a specific body type, making it less inclusive overall. The lack of older people and diverse body shapes in Nike’s (2020) ad contrasts sharply with the broader, more inclusive vision portrayed by This Girl Can (2020) “Me Again”.
References Marketing The Rainbow. (2020, December 7). Nike – You Cant Stop Us (2020). Www.youtube.com. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcXTnyCmQbg This Girl Can – Me Again. (2020). [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BKwk8q4H0Y |
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.
| In “Assessing the sociology of sport: On age and ability”, Elizabeth Pike’s (2015) argument that aging has been “feminized” resonates with me on both an academic and personal level. Growing up, I have been surrounded and influenced by a formidable force of women. I am blessed to be able to have my grandmothers in my life, and a great grandmother, who has since passed but was a trail blazer for her time. They have become the matriarchs, the glue holding our family together, the keepers of family traditions and stories, even as they themselves aged. This reality aligns with the statistical trend that women tend to live longer than men, but it also sheds light on the unique challenges they face. I’ve noticed how aging is portrayed differently for men and women. While older men are often seen as “distinguished” or “wise”, older women frequently face societal pressure to maintain youthfulness, as if aging were something to be ashamed of. I’ve seen this firsthand in the way older women in my life talk about staying fit, not just for health, but to “not let themselves go”. Elizabeth Pike’s notion about declining physical activity in women due to caregiving roles also rings true. I’ve watched as my own mother, who turns sixty this year, put her own well-being on the back burner to care and deal with my aging Great Aunt to get her relocated to a long term care faciality in London Ontario and then right after that having to deal with her own mother, my grandmother, and get her placed in long term care in another province. That said, I’ve also witnessed inspiring counter-narratives. Some of the strongest, most active people I know are older women who refuse to be sidelined by age. They engage in new hobbies, join fitness groups, and challenge the outdated notion that growing older means growing weaker. If aging is feminized, then perhaps it’s time to redefine what that means, not as a marker of frailty, but as a testament to endurance, wisdom, and strength.
References Pike, E. C. (2015). Assessing the sociology of sport: On age and ability. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 50(4-5), 570-574. https://doi-org.proxy1.lib.trentu.ca/10.1177/1012690214550009 |
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
| I am doing the assignment from this chapter as my major assignment and did the mini assignment for chapter 4 instead. |
