It’s time to talk
Sexuality, intimacy and aging
A sexuality educator for fifty years, Peggy Brick leads a course called “Older, Wiser, Sexually Smarter”, in which she brings together her skills as a teacher and her wisdom as an elder. This useful article from the American Association on Aging brings a great deal of intelligence and experience to a subject which deserves to be aired in all senior circles.
The article includes her important “nine principles” of senior intimacy, which include the following:
- Forget the cliché about “old dogs” and “new tricks”. Older adults are capable of writing new sexual scripts that can invigorate their sexual journeys. Sex is more than intercourse, and there are many ways to be sexual without penetrative sex.
- Older adults learn from each other. Older adults have many lessons to learn from each other. Discussing ideas with peers help people take responsibility for their own learning.
- Older adults deserve accurateand explicit information, as well as resources for discovery. Most people in our culture have lived with the message that sexuality is mysterious, secret, and shameful. Having access to the facts and a chance to talk openly helps people overcome those negative messages.
- Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals need to be acknowledged, respected and included in discussions. Acknowledging all sexual orientations and identities can help everyone feel included.
- Flexible gender role behavior is fundamental to personal and sexual health. Strict adherence to traditional gender roles and stereotypes limits individuals’ potential as human beings.
- Make no assumptions!