Images of sexuality and aging in gerontological literature

Scherrer, Kristin S.

doi:10.1525/srsp.2009.6.4.5

Cited by 29 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 31 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Culture refers to "the way people conceptualize themselves, each other, and the world at large using language, concepts, and frameworks" (Schalet, 2011, p. 14). Cultural representations are composed of stereotypical images or beliefs about characteristics of particular groups of people (Scherrer, 2009). They can also be thought of as controlling images (Collins, 1991), given that they are embedded in a broader system of social inequality.…”

Section: Theoretical Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Getting “Bi” in the Family: Bisexual People's Disclosure Experiences

Scherrer

Kazyak

Schmitz

2015

J of Marriage and Family

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There are many similarities in gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals' coming out experiences, but bisexual people face unique challenges. Despite this, an explicit focus on bisexual people is missing from family research. Using family systems and cultural sociological perspectives, the authors analyzed how social and cultural factors shape disclosure processes for bisexuals as they come out to multiple family members. After analyzing qualitative data from a diverse group of 45 individuals, they found that bisexual people navigate monosexist and heterosexist expectations in their family relationships. Cultural constructions of bisexuality shape the ways that bisexual people disclose their identities, including how they use language to influence family members' responses in desirable ways. Relationship status also influences bisexual people's disclosure strategies, as a romantic partner's gender is meaningful to family members' understandings of their sexual orientation. The findings highlight the importance of addressing cultural and social contexts in understanding sexual minority people's coming out processes.

show abstract

Section: Theoretical Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Getting “Bi” in the Family: Bisexual People's Disclosure Experiences

Scherrer

Kazyak

Schmitz

2015

J of Marriage and Family

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These terms also reveal that it is often the troublesome aspects of sexuality and intimacy are brought to light (Benbow & Beeston, 2012). In recent years, research has shown that sexuality and intimacy are increasingly positioned as part of a healthy and successful ageing, with new sexual scripts on later life are emerging (Sandberg, 2015;Scherrer, 2009). Persons with dementia are, however, not included in these representations of the new "sexy oldies" (Gott, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Too late for love? Sexuality and intimacy in heterosexual couples living with an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis

Sandberg

2020

Sexual and Relationship Therapy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

New sexual scripts on later life are emerging, discourses on "sexy oldies" challenge pervasive discourses on asexual old age. Still, sexuality among people with dementia, who are generally older, is rarely affirmed. Research on sexuality and dementia is, moreover, dominated by biomedical accounts that regard sexual and intimate behaviours as expressions of pathology. However, sexuality and intimacy could be significant aspects of later life, also when living with dementia. This qualitative study explores experiences of sexuality and intimacy among heterosexual couples where one partner was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Interviews were conducted with seven couples, aged 55-87, and both the person with the dementia diagnosis and their partner participated. The findings point to a diversity of experiences, with differences between the older and younger couples. The older couples experienced changes more as a result of embodied ageing, and sexuality and intimacy were experienced as sources of pleasure, comfort and recognition. The younger couples understood changes more as caused by Alzheimer's disease and experienced a greater loss of intimacy and desire. The study shows how experiences of sexuality and intimacy when living with dementia are shaped by varying sexual scripts and expectations of health in different parts of the life course. ARTICLE HISTORY

show abstract

“…In a prominent review of LGBT health, the Institute of Medicine noted the scarcity of knowledge about LGBT aging and, until quite recently, the lack of attention to LGBT aging in the field of gerontology. [1][2][3] LGBT elders are an understudied group, and even less is known about the unique challenges that lesbians face as they age. Lesbians in later adulthood have been overlooked in research, programs, and healthcare planning.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthy Aging in Community for Older Lesbians

Bradford

Putney

Shepard³

et al. 2016

LGBT Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose: In Boston and Outer Cape, Massachusetts, we explored the expectations of lesbians 60 years and older regarding healthy aging and community importance. Methods: Focus groups were conducted with participants after completing an anonymous demographic questionnaire. Thematic analysis was used to generate themes and identify how they varied by urban versus rural settings. Results: Group discussions focused on community, finances, housing, and healthcare. Primary concerns included continued access to supportive and lesbian communities as a source of resilience during aging. Conclusion: Concerns about discrimination and isolation mirror themes found in national research. The study findings suggest a need for more research into the housing and transportation needs of lesbians approaching later life, with a focus on how those needs relate to affordability, accessibility, and proximity to social support and healthcare. These findings also suggest the need for substantial investments in strengthening the LGBTrelated cultural competence of providers of services for the elderly.

show abstract

Images of sexuality and aging in gerontological literature

Cited by 29 publications

References 31 publications

Getting “Bi” in the Family: Bisexual People's Disclosure Experiences

Getting “Bi” in the Family: Bisexual People's Disclosure Experiences

Too late for love? Sexuality and intimacy in heterosexual couples living with an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis

Healthy Aging in Community for Older Lesbians

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About