SR: Volume 30 Number 2

Sexuality and Aging Revisited, Volume 30 Number 2

Articles are:

Women's Sexuality As They Age: The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same

HIV and AIDS in People Over 50

Gay and Lesbian Aging

Mature Sexuality: Patient Realities and Provider Challenges

Grandparents as Sexuality Educators: Having Our Say

Also in This Issue...

Fact Sheet: Sexuality in Middle and Later Life

Annotated Bibliography: Sexuality in Middle and Later Life

From the President: "Providing Quality Health Care To Sexually Active Older Americans"

From the Editor:

Let's Do Away With the Stereotype of Older People As Sexless

Mac Edwards

Up until the time I started going to the health club at 6:30 each morning—to keep this 50-plus body in shape—I watched the Today Show each morning as I dressed for work. They had a regular segment on “seniors” that had a tag line that said something about “enjoying life after 50.” I always cringed when I heard it and muttered something like, “They don’t know what they’re talking about. People in the fifties aren’t even thinking about being seniors. They’re too busy living their lives.” At least I was. And I still am.

So is my partner, Reggie, with whom I’ve lived for nearly 30 years. In fact, we’re enjoying life more than ever—both personally and professionally—and, we don’t have time to even think about getting old or being “seniors.” I think we’re in the majority.

That’s why I feel like I have to do something to dispel this stereotype that people in their fifties and sixties—or even older—are over the hill in terms of their lives, and particularly their sex lives.

FACTS THAT HELP MAKE THE POINT

And what better place to start than here in the SIECUS Report to refute the stereotype that older people are sexless. I think that every article in this issue helps to make that point.

Just consider these facts that are included in this issue:

Nearly 62 percent of men in their fifties claimed to be sexually active, and 69.5 percent said they were either “very” or “somewhat” satisfied with their sex lives. (“Mature Sexuality: Patient Realities and Provide Challenges” page 22.)
“I am 58 and as horny as ever…the sex urge is still with me, not much different from my earlier years,” said one woman. “Maybe I am too physically active and healthy. I can’t seem to get it into my head that I am approaching a different time of life….There is little or no speaking about a situation like mine in books or media.” (“Women’s Sexuality As They Age: The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same,” SIECUS Annotated Bibliography on "Sexuality in Middle and Later Life.")
Late adulthood can be highly rewarding….Sex is an important part of this life stage for many older adults, and considerable evidence suggests that sexual activity continues throughout the life course, bringing pleasure, better health, and improved subjective well-being. (HIV and AIDS in People Over 50, SIECUS Annotated Bibliography on "Sexuality in Middle and Later Life.")
The research on coping, life satisfaction, and social support refutes the image of the older gay man or lesbian as isolated and depressed. (“Gay and Lesbian Aging,” page 16.)
Many of us have remarked that often it is easier for pre-teens and teens to speak about some important matters (the "breakaway issues") with someone who is not their own parent—perhaps the parent's good friend or a relative. A grandparent can be ideally situated to help mediate this delicate transfer of power and responsibility from parent to child. (“Grandparents As Sexuality Educators: Having Our Say,” page 30.)

BOOKS THAT HELP MAKE THE POINT

And then there are the many books in the SIECUS Annotated Bibliography on Sexuality in Middle and Later Life in this issue of the SIECUS Report that help to refute the stereotype that older people are sexless.

Just consider these:

Gay Midlife and Maturity is a collection of articles that demonstrate—through formal research and personal experience—the diversity of gay men and lesbians. It discusses their aging from a positive perspective.
Seasons of the Heart: Men and Women Talk about Love, Sex, and Romance after 60 is a book of personal stories about the sexual, romantic, and platonic joys of relationships after 60. One of the chapters is “Not the End of the Song: Love When the World Says ‘No and Elders Say ‘Yes.’”
Still Doing It: Women & Men Over 60 Write about Their Sexuality is a book of personal stories and experiences of women and men over 60 that is a testament to sexuality through the life cycle.

CONCLUSION

I’m proud of this issue of the SIECUS Report because I feel it has given us plenty of facts to refute the stereotype that people over 50 are past their prime in terms of sexuality and sexual relationships.

I hope you enjoy reading it and that you will use the information to tell others about the reality of positive sexuality in middle and later life.