Sexuality In Older Adults
“Old people they lose their sex life and that’s not a good time. That’s why they get divorced all the time.” – Snooki. (Lo, 2015) Let’s talk about sex; or should I say the lack thereof? Amongst the older generation of people, sexuality is not something necessarily discussed as happening too often. Research shows that with increasing age comes a decreased desire to have sex. (Taylor & Gosney, 2011) There are numerous reasons as to why the older we get, the less sexual activity we engage in. The sexuality of older adults begin to diminish and becomes something that once was. From my own research and the way that society portrays sexuality within the elderly, I would have to agree that it is something that is struggled to maintain as one ages.
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That strapping young man who goes running the beach every day with no shirt on who seems to have an endless amount of stamina. What about his wife; the bold and brazen female who confidently walks along the beach in her two-piece, proud of her slim figure and firm physical assets. Two fit people who probably has it all figured out. They’re wealthy, good paying jobs, content with one another and what else; probably a phenomenal sex life. It happens at least five times a week and it never gets dull. Now, refer to the picture that has been attached to this paper. What comes to mind after reading the cartoon picture? An absent sex life? Sex that just doesn’t happen as often as it used to? “Ours is an eternal love. It takes you an eternity to get started and it takes me an eternity to finish.” (Love and Marriage, n.d.) This portrays an image that says, sex between two elderly people does not happen as quickly as it used to. As the human body ages, it is only natural that physical changes happen as well. That chiseled chest and flat stomach has now become paunchy. Those firm breasts have now began to sag. The human body is now no longer as sensitive as it used to be. With age, both men and women need much more time to prepare themselves to be “in the mood.” Older men require more direct stimulation of the penis, and for a longer duration, to experience erection. (Zeiss & Kasl-Godfrey, 2001) However, along with that comes another issue which is seen among men as they get older – erectile
That strapping young man who goes running the beach every day with no shirt on who seems to have an endless amount of stamina. What about his wife; the bold and brazen female who confidently walks along the beach in her two-piece, proud of her slim figure and firm physical assets. Two fit people who probably has it all figured out. They’re wealthy, good paying jobs, content with one another and what else; probably a phenomenal sex life. It happens at least five times a week and it never gets dull. Now, refer to the picture that has been attached to this paper. What comes to mind after reading the cartoon picture? An absent sex life? Sex that just doesn’t happen as often as it used to? “Ours is an eternal love. It takes you an eternity to get started and it takes me an eternity to finish.” (Love and Marriage, n.d.) This portrays an image that says, sex between two elderly people does not happen as quickly as it used to. As the human body ages, it is only natural that physical changes happen as well. That chiseled chest and flat stomach has now become paunchy. Those firm breasts have now began to sag. The human body is now no longer as sensitive as it used to be. With age, both men and women need much more time to prepare themselves to be “in the mood.” Older men require more direct stimulation of the penis, and for a longer duration, to experience erection. (Zeiss & Kasl-Godfrey, 2001) However, along with that comes another issue which is seen among men as they get older – erectile