In terms of aging people tend to worry about their sexuality. The role of sex declines due to several reasons. Adults even disregard their own sexuality. In this respect, it is vital to note whether aging or disability is a strong argument for that? The trends of popular psychological studies follow the idea of restoring the relationships for adults. It is so because of the urge of many adults of respective age to pay more attention to their physiological state of health. It is when sexuality is considered among individuals to give an embellished meaning to life (Pangman and Seguire 49). The mankind still faces the opinion that with the flow of time feelings are going to be trite. Most individuals take it for granted, as the logical way for humility. The effect of aging touches upon both men and women. The negative peculiarities concern the facts of menopause in women and emasculation among men. These rather significant problems make people step back from the notion of and persuasion in their sexuality. Most individuals are attempting to work out the problem themselves. However, the need for particular knowledge and training is of great significance for contemporary adults (Walker et al 4). The idea of positive sexuality and intimacy in older adults is a process which needs great effort beginning with the individual and psychologist’s pieces of advice. If an individual is lucky enough he/she will be granted a long healthy life and hope to be sexually active throughout it.
The sphere of intimate relationships between individuals is the theme of less attention in the society. It seems so because most people become unhappy with the flow of time. The process of aging is inevitable for everyone. However, does it really mean that one should come to terms with health problems? The humanity is the diversity of people of different ages. In this respect in the period of youth people do not mind the significance of health prospects for further life. This argument develops further criticism of the ecological and other negative approaches to the environment of a man. Moreover, the effect of personal bad habits is harmful as well. Notwithstanding, heightened sexual response between man and woman can be indicated throughout life (Koch et al 216). Even with bad attitude toward health, labor, family prospects, people will be people. The concept of happiness is definitely emphasized by positive sexuality. Furthermore, sexual relations in their permanent stage give people more assurance in life. In other words, it is a ground for a successful and happy life in every sphere.
Bi-social nature of a man presupposes his/her living within two functional systems: physical activity and society. On the one hand, the role of physical good performance is a great perspective for living in the society. On the other hand, a healthy society may contribute to physical restoration of individuals. This argumentation needs more discussion in terms of positive sexuality. The thing is that there is a huge factor that influences the decline of the theme of sexual relations. It is public opinion. This concept dominates the social conscience and behaviors of individuals. The risk of having an idea of personal disability with aging is high. In turn individuals may gain a thought of their unpleasantness. In some respects it is the result of doctors’ conclusions about the health of a senior man or woman. On the other hand, “feeling frumpy” is the phenomenon among women during menopause (Koch et al 217). Men also may feel frumpy when constantly worrying that they will not satisfy a woman. Summing all evidence, the public opinion is based more on the negative evaluation of the problem of sexuality. Its approach can be compared to that of the news. Mass media represent more bad news due to more concern among viewers.
Biological and health approaches are paramount for the development of positive sexuality. However, the mental ability to positively value the life in its versatile nature is the supporting component for the previous two. In other words, psychosocial attitude matters. The thing is that the contemporary studies research the problem of sexuality among senior people to the age of 59 (Blackburn and Dulmus 245). In fact, this problem is poorly studied. It seems that with the age of more than 60 people lose their ability to feel sexual and attractive to opposite sex. This assumption is claimed by many researchers in social sciences. Psychologists tend to re-direct the general outlook on anility and sexuality.
Gerontology, science of aging, go close to the psychological issue of sexuality. In fact, among physical and psychological developments in an individual the second is considered to be most significant for sexual health (Metz and Miner 246). People with strong self-confidence are able to go over some problems with morbidity. This assertion is fair for those individuals who got accustomed during their life to the optimistic and reliable look on their capacities. In terms of everyday life senior people often forget about their initial urge for love and passion from the young age. The concept of love is really helpful for men and women in old age. It is so due to its main components, namely: “passion, intimacy, and decision” (Carroll 188). With the loss of physical abilities inactive or in rhythmic movements, the acuteness of feelings cannot be disregarded. Passion is appropriate for people of all age categories. When going down the street or sitting in café, one can hardly admit that most of the population is with dejection on their faces. It concerns senior category of people, particularly.
The individual’s position in life correlates with his/her hopes. This statement is a major predictor of a man’s or a woman’s disability-established relationships in their progression with the flow of time. People starting with negative attitude to their health and sound-mindedness of actions will end with despair about their sexual performance (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 277). Some of the factors which may aggravate the situation are: bad habits, ecology, jealousy, envy, stress etc. Building a happy life means having an idea of its constituent parts. Making up sexuality apparent for an individual’s conscience is to follow the points of positive attitudes to life and people. The thing is that “recognition of the importance of continuing sexuality in the lives of older adults can help people to enhance self-esteem and increase their options for intimacy” (Chop and Robnett 243). The life is colored with positive and negative effects. This is why individuals should not ignore the principles which are significant in domains of psychosocial activities. Positive action is the result of primordial positive evaluation. Positive evaluation is the product of positive thoughts and, perhaps, experience. The extent of good features in life is measured with good attitude and behavior among individuals.
Sexual relations and sexuality among people more than 50 or 60 years old are happening due to the life-long confidence in personal abilities. It is easy to explain, but it is hard to implement in peoples’ lives. Physiological changes which adults experience in sexual response do not diminish the libido when individuals are fully convinced of their capabilities (Zeiss and Kasl-Godley 19). Being a physiological creature, a man is supposed with having chemical impulses for feeling and acting. Such impulses can be provoked by unequivocal needs of a man or a woman, so that to feel satisfaction, relief, and happiness, as a result. Adults need more attention from the side of psychological or psychoanalytic treatment. When the self-esteem of an adult decreases due to health problems, the advice of a professional with particular examples may definitely improve the situation. Needless to say, the more positive prospects an adult experiences in life, the happier he/she is. Associating in adulthood possible intimacy of a man with a woman and vice versa is a means for making success in terms of sexuality (Moreland 810). Social and societal opinions, as well as the healthcare prospects, step back in this case. Moreover, there is the fact that “free association with others and privacy, both essential for intimacy and sexuality, are federally protected rights in the United States” (Kuhn 166). People should look for particular ways of how to solve their issues of sexuality.
The point is that menopause and drops in testosterone levels do not necessarily state the end of sexual life. It is a responsibility of everyone who desires happiness in life. It is a point of soundness of attitudes toward people. Ability to feel sexy is inherent in every individual. In old age it is mostly considered with memories of “reckless” sexual experience in youth; those ladies who were trying to pay a man’s attention; and men who were too gentle to perform the sequence of sexual relationships.
The contextual factor of body image is another problem with which men and women face while getting old. The whole outlook terrifies most individuals when years go over. The points of personal attractiveness are effaced. In such attitudinal framework, it is obvious to state such changes in the look. However, it is not the ground for despair. First of all, one should pay attention throughout life that tastes differ. This means that there are no definite standards for being pretty. It is more a matter of self-esteem, as it was mentioned above. There are those who like fat people. Also, some adore men of respectful age and women being too experienced in life. Sexuality is the entire concept. It is constant for mankind.
To sum up, developing positive sexuality and intimacy in older adults is the point of individual attention. The physiological and psychosocial domains of the problem state the decline of sexuality among senior adults. The harmful evaluation of such effect is in disability of people to feel happy. This is why it is vital to develop positive intentions for life. This will serve an individual from despair about his/her sexuality in old ages. The more people think about it, the more apparent becomes their satisfaction with life.
Works cited
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Carroll, Janell L. Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity. Ed. 3. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning, 2009.
Chop, Walter C. and Robnett, Regula H. Gerontology for the Health Care Professional. Ed. 2. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2009.
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Kuhn, Daniel. “Intimacy, Sexuality, and Residents with Dementia.” Alzheimer’s Care Quarterly 3,2 (2002): 165-176.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Eldercare strategies: expert care plans for older adults. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2003.
Metz, Michael E. and Miner, Michael H. “Psychosexual and Psychosocial Aspects of Male Aging and Sexual Health.” Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality 7 (1998): 245-260.
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Walker, Bonnie L., Osgood, Nancy J., Ephross, Paul H., Richardson, James P., Farrar, Bettie and Cole, Clarie. “Developing A Training Curriculum on Elderly Sexuality for Long Term Care Facility Staff.” Gerontology & Geriatrics Education 19 (1998): 3-22.
Zeiss, Antonette M. and Kasl-Godley, Julia. “Sexuality in Older Adults’ Relationships.” Generations 25, 2 (2001) 18-25.