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Sex during old age is not a myth
BY JOAQUIN ORAMAS
IT
is possible to attain happiness, well being,
productivity, and other conditions for one’s whole
life. To make that a generalized reality, the idea
of the 120 Years Club demonstrates what can be done
without enormous effort for us to have a long,
active life and enjoy health and mental clarity.
Much
can be done, beginning at an early age, and even
among older people, to reach that goal, based on
well being during each stage of life. And if each
stage is lived to the maximum of precautions and
prevention, the body can be maintained in healthy
shape on through the period of older adulthood.
Although that is the ideal, what it actually
requires is primarily a change in mentality with
respect to evaluating older adults. Firstly, it’s
necessary to banish certain myths about aging having
to do with certain physical limitations, which does
not mean that good health cannot be enjoyed.
One
of these myths is that which denies sexual activity
to those over 70. There are a number of ideas
surrounding sex and older people, which have given
rise to some not-very-cheerful opinions even in this
day and age, and which are commonly accepted by many
people. One of these opinions is that lack in
procreation possibilities is accompanied by a
decline in sexual interest, leading up to it being
minimal or non-existent. However, the capacity of
human beings for abstract thought and pleasure has
increased basic sexuality, which in the rest of the
animal kingdom is reserved for the preservation of
the species.
It’s
worth remembering that after menopause, women
cannot, whereas men retain their fertility beyond
the age of 70.
That
does not exclude the continuity of sexual activity
for both men and women as a source of happiness,
pleasure and expression of a mature and loving
relationship, enjoying the delights of intimacy and
physical contact.
These days, when there is more information about
sexual activity, some women face the arrival of
menopause with anguish, a situation which is
sometimes transferred to the man and feeds the myth
that sexuality ends a little after the age of 50.
This
happens primarily in the Western world, where youth
as the only ideal stage of life is emphasized,
underestimating maturity and older adulthood.
Meanwhile, Eastern culture recognizes within older
adults’ wisdom and the continuity of a sexual
pleasure that is more prolonged and of better
quality.
It’s
true that at times the social environment only
relates scant sexual interest with aging and
disapproves of love between older people. It’s as
though love and romance were entitlements only for a
certain age group.
Another of the myths that is perpetuated is that of
age difference, with the assumption that the man
should be older than the woman. This “macho” concept
approves of the notion that the male may be twice or
even three times as old as the female. The opposite
happens when a woman has a younger mate. And if this
situation applies to an older woman, the rejection
becomes all the more notorious.
It
could be said that myths exist in all times and
societies. It’s a backwardness that can become an
obstacle, if we take into account the possibility of
human beings prolonging longevity to the age of 120
or more.
Information:
redac2@granmai.cip.cu |
