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Sexuality During the Adult Years

Sexuality During the Adult Years. Single Living. Increasing rates May reflect change in societal attitudes Lifestyles & satisfaction vary widely Celibacy or long-term monogamy Serial monogamy Single persons engage in sexual activity less often & are less satisfied than married persons.

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Sexuality During the Adult Years

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  1. Sexuality During the Adult Years

  2. Single Living • Increasing rates • May reflect change in societal attitudes • Lifestyles & satisfaction vary widely • Celibacy or long-term monogamy • Serial monogamy • Single persons engage in sexual activity less often & are less satisfied than married persons

  3. Cohabitation • Domestic partnership • Cohabitation vs. marriage • Social impact

  4. Men’s Cohabitation Rates by Educational Level

  5. Marriage:Personal & Social Functions • Stable families convey social norms • Defines rights of inheritance • Regulate sexual behavior • Emotional & social support system • Associated with better health • Takes different forms in different cultures • Question of same-sex and interracial marriage

  6. Marriage: Contemporary Cross-Cultural Comparisons • Collectivist cultures: • Emphasize group goals over individual • Marriage unites families not two individuals • Arranged marriages common • Emphasize needs of family, community, or religion; de-emphasize love • Polygamy • Individualistic cultures: • Emphasize feelings of love • Importance of love is a recent innovation

  7. Changing Expectations and Marital Patterns • Discrepancy between American marriage ideal and actual practices • Most politically conservative areas (“bible belt”) have some of the highest rates of divorce and unwed mothers • Unrealistic expectations of fulfillment • Fewer support networks for marriage • Lack of preparation for daily issues • People live longer

  8. Predicting Marital Satisfaction:Gottman’s Research • Based on heterosexual couples • Ratio of positive to negative comments predict satisfaction • Five positive to one negative interaction is key

  9. Sexual Behavior Within Marriage • Factors that raise sexual satisfaction • Factors that lower sexual satisfaction • Sexless union can be satisfying • DINS (Dual income, no sex)

  10. Extramarital Relationships • Cultural differences • Most cultures have restrictive norms; usually more restrictive for women • Consensual • Swinging, open marriage, & polyamory • Nonconsensual • Varied & complex reasons • Younger people have more affairs • Role of internet • Impact on marriage varies

  11. Divorce • Half of all first marriages end in divorce • Reasons for high divorce rate • Increased expectations for marital and sexual fulfillment • No-fault divorce laws • Reduction in social stigma • Women’s economic independence

  12. Most Frequently Cited Reasons for Divorce • Communication problems • Basic unhappiness • Incompatibility • Drug abuse and physical abuse

  13. Sexuality and Aging • Aging associated with sexlessness • Double standard for aging • Health is most crucial to sexual well-being

  14. Sexual Activity in Later Years • Among sexually active adults over age 60: 61% said their sex life today was either the same or more physically satisfying than in their 40s. • Factors that maintain activity • Prior interest in sexual activity • Regularity of sexual activity • Good physical health • SES

  15. Sexuality & Aging:Same-Sex Behavior • Same-Sex sexual activity in later years is similar to heterosexual • Lesbian advantages • Less likely to be widowed • Higher pool of alternatives • Less aging double standard

  16. Sexuality & Aging:Toward Androgyny in Later Life • Hormonal differences decline • Fewer gender-based duties • More power for women, more emotionality in men

  17. Widowhood • Widows to widowers ratio = 4:1 • 50% of widowers; 25% of widows remarry • Older people remain interested in sex even when no partner is available

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