Desexualisation in Later Life: The Limits of Sex and Intimacy

This interdisciplinary volume investigates the experiential and theoretical landscapes of older peoples sexual intimacies, practices, and pleasures, challenging ageist stereotypes and desexualisation. It considers the impact of desexualisation in various contexts and across different identities, orientations, relationships, and practices, and how to distinguish the real challenges faced by older people from prejudices imposed on them.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2022
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Despite evidence of a more sexually active 'third age,' aging and later life (50+) are still commonly represented as a process of desexualization. Challenging this assumption and ageist stereotypes, this interdisciplinary volume investigates the experiential and theoretical landscapes of older people's sexual intimacies, practices, and pleasures. Contributors explore the impact of desexualization in various contexts and across different identities, orientations, relationships, and practices. This enlightening text, reflecting international scholarship, considers how we can distinguish the real challenges faced by older people from the prejudices imposed on them.

Introduction:
The representation of aging and later life as a period of desexualization is a pervasive societal assumption that needs to be challenged. This interdisciplinary volume seeks to explore the complex and diverse experiences of older people's sexual intimacies, practices, and pleasures, challenging the notion that these aspects of life are somehow diminished or diminished with age.

Experiential Landscapes:
Contributors to this volume examine the various ways in which desexualization manifests in different contexts and across different identities. They explore the impact of desexualization on older people's relationships, self-esteem, and overall well-being, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and respectful approach to aging.

Theoretical Perspectives:
The book also offers theoretical perspectives on the phenomenon of desexualization, drawing on insights from various disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and gender studies. Contributors analyze the social, cultural, and political factors that contribute to the perpetuation of ageist stereotypes and the marginalization of older people's sexual desires and experiences.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this volume provides a valuable contribution to the field of aging studies by challenging the assumption of desexualization and promoting a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of older people's sexual lives. It highlights the need for greater awareness, education, and advocacy to address the challenges faced by older people in accessing sexual health services, information, and support. By recognizing the diversity and complexity of older people's sexual experiences, we can work towards creating a society that values and respects the sexual well-being of all individuals, regardless of age.

Weight: 396g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781447355472