Human Sexuality

Chapter 7:

Sexuality in Adulthood

Sexuality in Adulthood

Sexual philosophy:

Integrating personal, spiritual, religious, philosophical, ideological perspectives on sexuality

Sexuality in EmergingAdulthood

Cultural scriptsMoral/religious discourseFamilial discourse

Negotiating a personal philosophy of sexuality

How does this happen?

Solidifying Sexual Orientation

Strengthening one’s sexual orientation and gender identity

Relationship Trends Among Adults

More single adults

Single-by-choice: a way of life

Single Adults

Adults are marrying at a later age

1970: 55% of men aged 20-24 were single2006: 84% of men aged 20-24 were single

Relationship TrendsAmong Adults

More sexual experiences prior to marriage

Cohabitation is more accepted and widespread

Relationship TrendsAmong Adults

Greater number of unintended pregnancies

Single motherhood is more common- 30% of families are headed by a single parent

Relationship TrendsAmong Adults

More adults are separated or divorced vs. decades past

The Question of Intimacy

Erik Erikson: Psychosocial crisis

Intimacy vs. Isolation: the crisis of young adulthood

Priorities in Mate Selection

SimilarityProximity

Men- rate attractiveness as importantWomen- rate success as important

Evolutionary and cultural rationale

Cohabitation

Has become less stigmatized

Most people in their 20s are single

Cohabitation

Typically last 5 years or less

56% of marriages that took placed in the 90s were preceded by cohabitation (Bramlett, 2002)

Cohabitating couples who marry are at greater risk for divorce (Smock, 2000)

Cohabitation

Cohabitating couples divide housework more than married couples

A “new state of courtship”?

Cohabitation

Domestic partnerships

Common law marriages

Marriage

Average age at first marriage:

1950: men- 22.8; women- 20.3

2005: men: 27.1; women- 25.3

Marriage

Why do people marry?

Personal and cultural needs

Marriage as a social construction

Most young people in the US believe marriage is important (Jayson, 2006)

Marriage:Variations

Arranged marriagesPolygamyGay marriageConsensual adultery (open marriages)“swinging”

Close friendship

Compromise

Maintaining a positive view of one’s spouse

Shared meaning/shared worlds

Successful Marriages

Marriage: Outcomes

Unhappy marriages: increases the risk of health problems, shortens life expectancy

Happy marriages: increases life expectancy

Changes in the Marital Relationship

Marriages may become better adjusted in middle adulthood

Most older adults report happy marriages

Sexual Orientation

Article Discussion:

Sexuality During theMiddle Adult Years

Divorce rate:

Substantial increase

High expectations of marriage (Furstenberg, 1991; Levine, 2003)

Divorce

Risk factors for divorce:

Youthful marriage

Low educational attainment

Low income

Premarital pregnancy

Sexuality in Middle Adulthood

Children of divorce:Mixed findings in the research

Long term trauma and distress (Wallerstein, 2000)

Most do not suffer long term trauma (Ahrons, 2004)

The context of the divorce

Sexuality in Late Adulthood

Developmental Concerns:

Biological changesLoss of a partnerPsychological factors

Cultural perspectives on aging

Sexuality in Late Adulthood

Diversity in reactions: Increase in competenceLittle movementSeeking new relationships, serious or

casualLittle interest in new relationshipsDespair

Stereotypes of Aging

Older adulthood: lonely and depressingNo interest in sexuality

Most older adults still regard sexuality as important

Decreases in sexuality activity are more cultural than biological (Kellett, 1991)

Sexuality in Late Adulthood

“cultural illiteracy” regarding aging

the “sexless” old

socially constructed as an asexual period in development

Sexuality in Late adulthood

Research- problems with generalizability

Kinsey- included few older people; 3 pages of 735 were dedicated to older people

Sexuality in Late Adulthood

Age- “slows the human sexual response, does not terminate it”

Sexual activity declines with age, but sex is still important

Sexuality in Late Adulthood

Physiological changes

Women- menopause- reduction in estrogenMen- slowed/weaker sexual response;

erectile dysfunction

Health plays a key role

Sexuality in Late Adulthood

Sexual activity continues in later life

Need for intimacy remains

Considerable individual variation

Sexuality in Late Adulthood

GLBT older adults- maintain sexual interest/activity

Very few studies on this population

Sexuality in Late Adulthood

Methodological problems:Social desirability- over and underreporting

sexual behavior based on gender

Less focus on women, GLBT individuals, and the unmarried

Less open to discussing sexuality?