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It's not age that prevents sexual activity later in life
Author(s) -
FreakPoli Rosanne
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12774
Subject(s) - sexual life , psychology , reproductive health , sexual behavior , developmental psychology , gerontology , clinical psychology , demography , medicine , gynecology , environmental health , sociology , population
Objective To describe key factors that facilitate sexual behaviour in later life. Methods Re‐analysis of data from a study of 2,374 Dutch older adults. Results Partner availability, gender and health are likely to be more important factors influencing sexual behaviour engagement than the factor of age in later life. Lack of partner availability, traditional gender roles and poor health are associated with older age. However, current generations of older adults will be more capable, less ashamed of their sexual desires and engage in more sexual behaviour than prior generations. Conclusion This analysis observed that sexual activity is associated with partner availability and better health, rather than age, countering stereotypes of decline in sexual behaviour and normalising sexual activity and desire in later life.