Sexuality in Old Age and the Gay Elderly
By: Francisco "El Jimagua" Cartagena Méndez
Writer and Human Rights Activist
President ASI Foundation
Twitter: @eljimagua
Our elders fall in love and feel sexual desires. Sexuality has been present throughout the history of the human being. It is known that we are sexual beings, however there are myths and beliefs that have taken root in our societies. This
has created various stigmas about the sexual act and its protagonists,
whether they are heterosexual couples or belonging to the LGBTT
community.
Sexuality
in the population over 60 years of age, is a subject little discussed
and researched, so there are prejudices and myths that the elderly have
no desire or sexual ability. This
is totally wrong, since sexuality in old age exists and its practice
will depend on various factors and the capacity of each person
individually. [pullquote]
Sexuality in the population over 60 years of age, is a subject that is
little discussed and researched, which is why there are prejudices and
myths that elderly people do not possess sexual desire or capacity.
Orihuela,
Gómez & Fumero (2009) indicate that the cessation of sexual
activity is not a chronological event, but depends on factors such as
the state of health and the degree of physical and mental disability and
the frequency and quality of sexual relations previous The
affective situation and quality of the relationship with the couple and
with other people and the health crisis are also determining factors.
In
this regard, Pérez explains (2008) that people can not be fragmented in
certain periods of existence, they are born and reach the end of their
lives as sexual beings. Human
sexuality is a sociocultural phenomenon that is influenced by the
quality of interpersonal relationships, the context in which we live and
by the integration we have made of the lived experiences.
Therefore,
sexual pleasure is a desirable and valid experience for older adults
because it generates great well-being and is part of a natural process
of the human being. In
the third age there is all kinds of affection and sexual expression,
despite the belief that elderly people are not able to enjoy sex.Discrimination against gay seniors is another factor that can interfere with a natural sexuality in the elderly. Many gays of the third age are pushed to the solitude, or separated of their pairs by reasons of legal nature or by widowhood.
It
should be added that many gay elders are pushed back into the closet
and discriminated against by other younger gays, which is why sexuality
becomes a bit more conflictive, due to the current discrimination in our
societies.
Elderly discrimination / Gays is another factor that can interfere with a natural sexuality in the elderly. Many
gays of the third age are pushed into solitude, or separated from their
partners for reasons of legal nature or for widowhood.
Aging should not be synonymous with weakness, discrimination or prejudice. Our
seniors are people who have regularly devoted a lifetime to the
workforce and family, so it is important to respect them, keep them
company and not discriminate against them.
The
issue of sexuality in the human being is complex and becomes a problem
when it is not addressed from the mental opening, away from prejudice
and having a genuine interest in acquiring the necessary knowledge,
allowing us to have a full sexuality, pleasant and remote of shameOlder
people, far from constituting a homogenous collective in what refers to
sexuality, are still sexual beings, with desires and needs related to
their own sexuality, which they should enjoy without any difficulty.
For comments eljimagua@live.com | Twitter: @eljimagua* Writer and human rights activist of Puerto Rico.
Biografía/Biography
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