As older adults tend to age, their sexual drive tends to decline as a response. Continuing to have sexual relations is an important quality for older adults since it helps their psychological and physical well-being (Papaharitou, Nakopoulou ,Kirana, Giaglis, Moraitou, & Hatzichristou ,2007). The decrease in sexual drives for older adults can be due to factors such as diseases, medications and depression. Other factors may include that the older adult may not have a partner to be sexual active with and actually having privacy to be sexual active. Papaharitou et al, (2007) conducted a study where a sample of married older adults from an age group of 60 to 90 years old. A 30-item questionnaire was given in two parts to participants. For the first …show more content…
There is a stereotype about older adults and how they are resistant to change but with older adults living longer they have to adapt. One advancement that older adults have to adapt to is internet usage. Learning to use the internet is beneficial to older adults in the aspect that it makes their lives easier or even more exciting. Single older adults can use the internet to meet other older adults to develop a companionship or friendship ( Adams, Oye & Parker, 2003). There are websites such as ThirdAge.com , Zelgo.com , SeniorNet.org and SassySeniors.com that enable older adults to pursue these relationships. The internet can be helpful to older adults by helping them express their sexuality. The internet gives older adults the option to visit pornographic websites for sexual expression and stimulation (Adams at el., 2003). Although it is hard to tell how many older adults use the internet for sexual pleasure, it is no secret that older adults still want to engage in sexual activities just like younger adults. Using websites to meet other older adults and seeing pornography with older adults engaging in sexual activity provides a sense of being normal. This research is less valid due to the lack of statistics that other articles
For the partner, the stress and demands of caregiving may interfere with intimacy. The elderly are more likely to take drugs that can cause problems affecting intimacy. Levels of sex hormones decrease, causing changes that make sexual intercourse uncomfortable or difficult. Libido may decrease. If elderly people develop problems that interfere with physical intimacy or if they feel embarrassed about changes in their body they may not want to discuss these changes with their partner or with a health care practitioner, who may be able to suggest
Television and film do a wonderful job of widowing parents or creating a life so intertwined with their children that is their identity. When we do witness the actions around sexuality and the aging it is almost never serious, often leaving one to think that that the elderly engaging in any sexual contact will prove perverted, dangerous or lethal (Dan Sewell). Much like advertisements for products incite us to buy them, the views of sexuality and senior citizens we see in the media carries into real life, leaving the elderly to be labeled as either asexual or are met with phrases like "dirty old man" or cougar, simply for having a desire that exists within all of us. Being of the community and seeing these perceptions does not make it easy to be open about feelings regarding the topic on any level, exacerbating any existing esteem issues that could be onset of aging (Melanie
There is a popular myth revolving around older adults and how they do not actively engage in sexual activities any longer due to their old age. The media constantly advertises ‘the next big thing’ when it comes to putting sex drive back into your marriage. There are all sorts of pills for erectile dysfunction, creams for lubrication, and even arousal gels. Some individuals may in fact need these supplements, but it does not all stem from old age. Take the movie Something’s Gotta Give for example. Jack Nicholson plays a wealthy, 63-year-old New York businessman named Harry Sanborn who does not like to date for very long, instead he is just mainly in it for the hookup. The movie shows him with all of these different women, proving that his sexual interest and desire are just as strong as a younger mans. Diane Keaton plays Erica Barry, who is the mother of one of Harry’s girls. Throughout the movie you can feel the sexual tension between them, thus showing that females may also have as much sexual interest as males when aging.
Individuals 65 and older still make up less than 10 percent of the active Internet universe. However, their numbers are on the rise. In the last five years, the number of seniors actively using the Internet has increased by more than 55 percent, from 11.3 million active users in November 2004 to 17.5 million in November 2009. Among people 65+, the growth of women online in the last five years has outpaced the growth of men by 6 percentage points.
For the elderly, it becomes a concern as it does with losing any other motor function. Society has become increasingly more aware that the elderly is just as concerned with their sexual performance as the younger generation. Subramanyam & Pinto (2011), address that most elderly have difficultly verbalizing their sexuality because of shame. Shame formulates from what we believe is acceptable and unacceptable in society and how we will be perceived.
Over the last century, the life expectancy of the elderly has increased. This means that the largest growing population right now, in the United States, is persons over the age of 65 (Sex Tips for Older Adults, 2000). With this in mind, it would be helpful to talk about the personal aspects or as I like to call it, "sex lives" of the elderly. When people in our society think of the elderly, they almost never think of this population having sex or good sex for that matter. But they do! Unfortunately, the elderly encounter problems with sex as they become older and that is what I will be discussing along with way of coping with sexual dysfunction.
Driving ages throughout the United States vary state by state. In South Dakota, to obtain a license you only have to be 14 years and three months old. In New Jersey, you have to be 17 years old, but throughout the United States it is pretty consistent that you have to be 16 years old to get a license. Along with a license come many freedoms for a teenager, but also many restrictions. Restrictions such as the times allowed to drive and the amount of passengers allowed in the car are set in place throughout the United States. In South Carolina new drivers cannot drive between the hours of 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The majority of states have the restriction of no driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m. Vermont is the only U.S. state to have no restriction
“An eighty-six year old man killed ten people and injured more than seventy when he drove his Buick into a crowded farmers market in California. In Florida, an eighty-four year old woman drove her car through a window of a Sears and into a cash register and employee” (Murphy). Sadly enough, instances like these are becoming more and more prevalent and require immediate action. It is imperative that a more comprehensive approach be taken when deciding the competence of elderly drivers. Laws must be put into action to mandate and administer testing and re-examining of the skills and eligibility of this group. Equally important, we must consider those who will no longer be able to drive, and ensure their transportation and occupational needs
Though aging can create some physical barriers to sexuality, it did not negate those wants or feelings. HowStuffWorks additionally highlighted a study that claimed increased sexual health discussions with primary care providers and further information about how to combat physical sexual barriers, could lead to an increase in life fulfillment amongst older adults. A possible origin of this stereotype may come from the general media’s portrayal of the elderly. The elderly usually serve as characters stripped of sexual identity, in lieu of supporting roles as the wise advisor. Anecdotal evidence suggests that when older adults are sexual beings, it is as the butt of jokes or in some other comedic
I think that the driving age should stay the same. One reason is that I think that if they are 16 they are old enough to drive. They have been through drivers’ education so they all should know what they are doing when they are driving. Also there parents should have already had them out practicing driving when they’re not in drivers education. I just feel that they are already old enough to be driving.
Sexual health is a concern that continues for all adults regardless of age. Assumptions about aging, intimacy and sexuality are constantly a challenge because the desire for closeness and sexual contact are lifetime necessities (Rheaume & Mitty, 2009). Current research on sexual activity has suffered from inadequate population descriptions within different cultures, education and financial status. Findings are therefore limited leaving health care
Studies show that automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers. Car crashes have always been an outstanding problem when it comes to teenagers and driving. Teenagers, even after seeing the consequences, drive carelessly and do not think about the consequences when they are behind the wheel. There are a plethora of opinions and views when it comes to the legal driving age and the requirements to obtain a license. Many people all around the world believe that making changes to driving requirements is pointless and can potentially cause more problems. While what they say may be true, raising the legal driving age and the requirements would have a greater positive outcome, potentially leading to a decrease in the fatality rate along with gaining more responsible drivers.
We need to make older people feel more comfortable and treat them with more respect. Older people should not feel like they need to hide their true feelings and instead should be encouraged to engage in sexual expression and enjoy their lives for as long as possible. Sex is universal and all people, regardless of their age, should be able to proudly and comfortably be engaging in it without any judgements, or stigmas being made about them. These articles have made it very clear that sexual activity is still present in later life. Society and its unrealistic, untrue beliefs need to be eliminated and they need to start accepting that it is normal and natural to still be sexually active when one is 65 years and older. “Sexuality encompasses partnership, activity, behavior, attitudes, and function” (Lindau et al., 2007). Older people have a right to their sexual expression and we need to learn to accept it and be more comfortable with
Should the driving age be older than 18 in the state of Maryland, or not, the answer should be no. Increasing the age would not solve problems, such as accidents, reckless driving, or speeding. Research proves people will drive reckless regardless of age.
Granny, I know you’ve never been in an accident, but Lord knows how many you’ve caused! Although I love my grandmother dearly, I must admit that a few of my grey hairs are courtesy of her driving. As the years passed, my grandmother’s driving progressively got worse. However, there is no test administered to the elderly which determines whether or not they are fit to drive. While my Granny was creating mayhem on the streets, I realized how much a drivers’ test for the elderly was needed. Elderly drivers impose possible threats on others, as well as themselves, and could also be paying excess money on unnecessary insurance.