AGING AND SEXUALITY

In American society, sex is regarded as an activity for the young and attractive. The idea of older, or even middle-aged, couples engaging in sexual activity often evokes uneasiness. Young people in particular are embarrassed by the thought of their grandparents, or even parents, engaged in sexual passion. They acknowledge grudgingly that their parents must have made love once, if only to produce them. Or even several times—to produce their siblings. But that was long ago. Surely they hop into bed nowadays only to get a good night’s sleep.

Studies of aging and sexuality generally have shown that with advancing years comes a decline in frequency of both intercourse and other forms of sexual activity. More than forty-five years ago, Alfred Kinsey and his colleagues were the first researchers to examine systematically the effects of aging on sexual behavior. They learned that, contrary to popular opinion, interest in sex continues well into late adulthood. But they also discovered that as men and women grow older, their sexual activity decreases. More recent studies have confirmed these trends. However, other researchers, including me, believe that decreased sexual activity may be a result of poor health and cultural attitudes and expectations rather than a direct consequence of aging.