“Shades of Grey”: Exploring Public Opinion about Later-Life Sexuality

Abstract

Public opinion on later-life sexuality affects older people’s sexual health, behaviour, and satisfaction. In this study, we explored public opinion on later-life sexuality by participants’ responding to an open-ended question rather than rank their level of agreement or disagreement with different statements about older people’s sexuality. Responses from 135 men and women reflecting on how sexuality changes in older age were thematically analysed. Five themes emerged, varying from positive to negative perceptions of later-life sexuality. Older people’s sexuality was described as declining, non-existent, conservative, narrow, tedious, and boring, but also as encompassing more emotions and feelings; being better and more “complete”. This study provides qualitative data and an opportunity to gain insights on valuable opinions on what young and middle-aged people think about later-life sexuality. Assessing what people think about later-life sexuality is the first stage in instilling more liberating views about the diversity of sexual expressions in old age.

Changes and Forms of Sexual Behaviour in old age: A Qualitative Study of Older People in Southeastern Nigeria

“…They often argue that they had to abstain from penetrative sex to help prolong their life. This is similar to the finding of Vasconcelos et al ( 2021 ); Gewirtz-Meydan & Ayalon ( 2020 ) that conservative sexual beliefs are a consequence of conservative upbringing. More so, the women showed to be more conservative and passive about sexual behaviour confirming the work of Ayalon et al ( 2019 ).…”

“…This finding is novel among studies in sub-Saharan Africa and supports the recent studies in the literature (Traeen et al, 2018 ; Fischer et al, 2020 ; Gewirtz-Meydan & Ayalon, 2020 ) that have acknowledged and considered the intimate forms of sexual behaviour rather than the medicalized and physical perspective of sexual activities that initially dominate the literature. It also highlights a potential area of older people’s life that is linked with their healthy ageing as it touches the biopsychosocial aspect of their later life (Towler et al, 2022 ) as detailed in the subsequent sections.…”

Mitigating Visual Ageism in Digital Media: Designing for Dynamic Diversity to Enhance Communication Rights for Senior Citizens

“…What are the visual elements older people encounter in everyday lives and to whom they feel offended, uncomfortable or injured? We have evidence, for example, that older people are using self-deprecating humor to fight negative stereotypes largely shared in many societies regarding older people [57] (as for example the fact they are sexually un-active [58][59][60]) and it is important to research not only what is visual offensive content for older people, but the mechanisms they use to counteract visual ageism.…”

Development of an Instrument to Assess Health and Social Care Professionals' Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Later‐Life Intimacy and Sexuality (HSCP‐KALLIS): A Delphi Study

“…Intimacy and sexuality are not openly discussed in society because of these topics' private and sensitive nature. Reportedly, approximately one in four people does not believe that sexuality exists in later life (Gewirtz-Meydan and Ayalon 2020). This belief extends to healthcare settings and is acutely encountered by older people who are typically perceived as asexual (Simpson et al 2017).…”

“…Simply holding hands, cuddling and kissing can fulfil older adults' sexual and intimacy needs (Doll 2013). Despite declining sexual function in later life, several older adults reportedly wish to maintain and engage in sexual activities if able (Gewirtz‐Meydan and Ayalon 2020). However, health and social care professionals (HSCPs) may not understand and support sexual expression among older people with dementia or those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer/questioning (LGBTIQ+) because of misunderstandings or personal beliefs.…”