Sexuality

Abstract

According to Benjamin Franklin, the only things certain in life are 'death and taxes'. Perhaps two more universal certainties should be added to the list: sex and ageing. Although sex and ageing are natural concepts, popular media rarely present them as a natural and desirable pair. Think about it: how often do you see movies, magazines, advertisements or television shows that portray older people kissing, fondling of having sex? For some, the thought of older people having sex or even kissing is at best uncomfortable, and at worst disgusting. Either way, older people are often subject to ageist views which describe them as unattractive, unimportant and asexual. However, the fact is that older people are having sex, and lots of it. Rising STI and HIV/Aids rates among ageing populations speak to the reality of older people's sexuality - a largely ignored phenomenon.