The "Sexless Older Years"—A Socially Harmful Stereotype

Abstract

The stereotype of the "sexless older years," which has placed its stamp upon our entire culture and which, in many cases, acts as a "self-fulfilling prophecy," has done considerable damage to our aging population. Although no studies of sexual behavior and attitudes of the aging have been done on a sufficiently representative sample to provide us with norms, a growing body of research makes clear that there is no automatic cutoff to sexuality at any age and that sex interests, needs, and abilities continue to play an impor tant role in the later years. This is true not only for the married, but also for the single and widowed. Unless our entire culture recognizes the normality of sex expression in the older years, it will be impossible for older persons to express their sexuality freely and without guilt.