Somehow They Are Never Horny!

Abstract

With this provocation, we argue that existing HCI discourses on ageing risk rendering older adults as asexual individuals through research writing. We begin by articulating how discursive subjectivities such as users, consumers, participants, etc. are constructed, maintained, and propagated as representations of other individuals/groups through HCI research. We build our argument with examples highlighting tropes that have led to marginalization of certain groups of individuals through research writing. Through our provocation, we argue for re-framing and exploring sexual wellbeing of older adults as a fundamental humans rights issue and social justice concern while designing technologies. We point to problematic assumptions, amplify concerns, and call for further HCI research on sexual needs, desires, and experiences of older adults.