Abstract
Discursive portrayals of aging and sexuality have important implications for the creation and reproduction of inequalities. This article delineates some of the images of older adults’ sexualities using an interpretive content analysis of gerontology articles dealing with issues of sexuality in 21 gerontological journals over a 20-year span (1988–2007). The 3 main findings of this analysis were (a) that aging sexualities are asserted, (b) that the sexual identities of older adults vary, and (c) that older adults’ sexualities are regulated through a variety of mechanisms. Furthermore, these representations inform research and policy at the intersections of sexuality and aging.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahuvia, A. (2001). Traditional, interpretive, and reception based content analyses: Improving the ability of content analysis to address issues of pragmatic and theoretical concern.Social Indicators Research, 54, 139–172.
Aronowitz, S. (1988).Science as power: Discourse and ideology in modern society. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Bailey, W. (2006). Review ofDr. Ruth’s Sex After 50: Revving Up the Romance, Passion & Excitement! Journal of Women & Aging, 18(3), 89–91.
Ben-Ari, A. (1995). The discovery that an offspring is gay: Parents’, gay men’s, and lesbians’ perspectives.Journal of Homosexuality, 30(1), 89–111.
Bouman, W. (2005). Review ofReeling in the Years — Gay men’s perspectives on age and ageism.International Psychogeriatrics, 17, 144–145.
Brotman, S., Ryan, B., Collins, S., Chamberland, L., Cormier, R, Julien, D., et al. (2007). Corning out to care: Caregivers of gay and lesbian seniors in Canada.The Gerontologist, 47, 490–503.
Brotman, S., Ryan, B., & Cormier, R. (2003). The health and social service needs of gay and lesbian elders and their families in Canada.The Gerontologist, 43, 192–202.
Carpenter, L., Nathanson, C, & Kim, Y. (2006). Sex after 40?: Gender, ageism, and sexual partnering in midlife.Journal of Aging Studies, 20, 93–106.
Clarke, L. (2006). Older women and sexuality’: Experiences in marital relationships across the life course.Canadian Journal on Aging, 25, 129–140.
Collins, P. H. (1991).Black feminist thought: Knowledge, consciousness, and the politics of empowerment. New York: Routledge.
Collins, P. H. (2005).Black sexual politics: African Americans, gender, and the new racism. New York: Routledge.
D’Augelli, A., Grossman, A., Hershberger, S., & O’Connell, T. (2001). Aspects of mental health among older lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults.Aging & Mental Health, 5, 149–158.
D’Augelli, A. R., Hershberger, S. L., & Pilkington, N. W. (1998). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth and their families: Disclosure of sexual orientation and its consequences.American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 68, 361–371.
Emerson, R., Fretz, R., & Shaw, L. (1995).Writing ethnographic fieldnotes. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Foucault, M. (1978).The history of sexuality, volume 1: An introduction. New York: Vintage.
Fullmer, E., Shenk, D., & Eastland, L. (1999). Negating identity: A feminist analysis of the social invisibility of older lesbians.Journal of Women & Aging, 11(2/3), 131–148.
Gagnon, M., Hébert, R, Leclerc, G., & Lefrançois, R (2002). Development and validation of a sexual actualization measuring instrument for the elderly.Educational Gerontology, 28, 621–633.
Graneheim, U. H., & Lundman, B. (2004). Qualitative content analysis in nursing research: Concepts, procedures and measures to achieve trustworthiness.Nurse Education Today, 24, 105–112.
Hall, K., & O’Connor, D. (2004). Correlates of aggressive behavior in dementia.International Psychogeriatrics, 16, 141–158.
Heaphy, B., Yip, A., & Thompson, D. (2004). Ageing in a non-heterosexual context.Ageing & Society, 24, 881–902.
Hodson, D., & Skeen, P. (1994). Sexuality and aging: The hammerlock of myths.Journal of Applied Gerontology, 13, 219–235.
Holmes, D., Reingold, J., & Teresi, J. (1997). Sexual expression and dementia. Views of caregivers: A pilot study.International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 12, 696–701.
Howell, L., & Beth, A. (2004). Pioneers in our own lives: Grounded theory of lesbians’ midlife development.Journal of Women & Aging, 16(3), 133–147.
Hubbard, G., Tester, S., & Downs, M. (2003). Meaningful social interactions between older people in institutional care settings.Ageing & Society, 23, 99–114.
Jonesv, T., & Nystrom, N. (2002). Looking back...looking forward: Addressing the lives of lesbians 55 and older.Journal of Women & Aging, 14(3), 59–76.
Katz, S., & Marshall, B. (2003). New sex for old: Lifestyle, consumerism, and the ethics of aging well.Journal of Aging Studies, 17, 3–16.
Lincoln, Y., & Guba, E., (1985).Naturalistic inquiry. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Meezan, W., & Martin, J. (2003).Research methods with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender populations. Binghamton, NY: Harrington Park Press.
Meyer, I. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence.Psychological Bulletin, 129, 674–697.
Richard, C., & Brown, A. (2006). Configurations of informal social support among older lesbians.Journal of Women & Aging, 18(4), 49–65.
Rosenfeld, D. (1999). Identity work among lesbian and gay elderly.Journal of Aging Studies, 13, 121–144.
Scherrer, K. (2008).How has sexuality aged?: Content on sexuality in gerontological research. Unpublished manuscript, University of Michigan.
Seidman, S. (2002).Beyond the closet: The transformation of gay and lesbian life. New York: Routledge.
Talbott, M. (1998). Older widows’ attitudes towards men and remarriage.Journal of Aging Studies, 12, 429–449.
Vares, T., Potts, A., Gavey, N., & Grace, V (2007). Reconceptualizing cultural narratives of mature women’s sexuality in the Viagra era.Journal of Aging Studies, 21, 153–164.
Weston, K. (1991).Families we choose: Lesbians, gays, kinship. New York: Columbia University Press.
Whalen, D., Bigner, J., & Barber, C. (2000). The grandmother role as experienced by lesbian women.Journal of Women & Aging, 12(3), 39–57.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Scherrer, K.S. Images of sexuality and aging in gerontological literature. Sex Res Soc Policy 6, 5–12 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1525/srsp.2009.6.4.5
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/srsp.2009.6.4.5