Chapter 7: Sexuality in Adulthood Human Sexuality Chapter 7: Sexuality in Adulthood

Sexuality in Adulthood Sexual philosophy: Integrating personal, spiritual, religious, philosophical, ideological perspectives on sexuality

Sexuality in Emerging Adulthood Cultural scripts Moral/religious discourse Familial 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 single 2006: 84% of men aged 20-24 were single

Relationship Trends Among Adults More sexual experiences prior to marriage Cohabitation is more accepted and widespread

Relationship Trends Among Adults Greater number of unintended pregnancies Single motherhood is more common - 30% of families are headed by a single parent

Relationship Trends Among 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 Similarity Proximity Men- rate attractiveness as important Women- 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

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 marriages Polygamy Gay marriage Consensual adultery (open marriages) “swinging”

Successful Marriages Close friendship Compromise Maintaining a positive view of one’s spouse Shared meaning/shared worlds

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 the Middle 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 changes Loss of a partner Psychological factors Cultural perspectives on aging

Sexuality in Late Adulthood Diversity in reactions: Increase in competence Little movement Seeking new relationships, serious or casual Little interest in new relationships Despair

Stereotypes of Aging Older adulthood: lonely and depressing No 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 estrogen Men- 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?