Ageism and its effects on older adult sexuality

It may be surprising to learn, but barriers to sexual fulfillment for older people are more likely to be social than physical [4].

The term ageism refers to the stereotyping of and discrimination against people simply because of their age. In the case of older adults and sexuality, older people are stereotyped as being non-sexual beings who should not, cannot, and do not want to have sex [3].

Our society does not really expect older people to be interested in sex [4]. In fact, many young people believe that sexual activity should diminish after middle age and is probably very unusual among older people [2].

Society's false expectations for older adults are partially based on associations of romance and attractiveness with youth. False expectations also arise from the faulty assumption that sexual activity by older people is somehow immoral or perverted. US culture is also rather biologically essentialist, and this viewpoint tends to overemphasize an association between sexuality and reproduction. This emphasis on reproduction as opposed to healthy sexual expression may lead people to improperly believe that women should not be interested in sex after menopause.

Unfortunately, because of the societal belief that older people are less sexually capable and less interested in sex than younger people, the sexual needs of older individuals tend to be ignored by family members, health care workers, and society in general [4].

Sadder still is the fact that older adults may end up internalizing these values, and may become sexually inactive at an age when they could still be having an enjoyable and rewarding sex life [1]. One of the reasons SeniorSex.org was developed was to help combat ageism, and to provide evidence against negative culturally transmitted stereotypes regarding aging and sex. To find out more about what is fact and what is fiction read our Myth vs. Fact page.

Back to Top