human sexuality chapter 7: sexuality in adulthood
TRANSCRIPT
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?