Lecture 8: Sexuality in Adulthood Flashcards
Two factors are critical for maintaining sexual capacity in old age
- good physical and mental health
- regularly of sexual expression (use it or lose it)
Changes in men
- Less testosterone production and sperm output
- Erections occur more slowly
- Volume of ejaculate decreases
- Prostrate enlargement
Changes in women
- Menopause
- Changes in levels of sex hormones
- Decline in vaginal lubrication and elasticity
Sex Later on in Life
- Older people still have sex (and satisfaction is high)
- Some changes to consider when having sex in older adulthood
CNM Relationship Outcomes
- Engage in sex with both partners for intrinsic reasons (e.g., pleasure)
- Greater sexual fulfillment with a second partner associated with lower sexual satisfaction in first partner
Open Relationship Agreements
- Variable from one couple to another
- Require clear communication to specify boundaries
Consensual nonmonogamy (CNM)
- swinging
- polyamory
- open relationships
Monogamy Maintenance
- Behaviors intended to maintain monogamy in an exclusive relationship
- Proactive avoidance
- Relationship enhancement
- Derogating the alternative
Mate poaching
“Mate poaching occurs when someone forms a romantic and/or sexual relationship with someone who they know is already in an exclusive relationship.”
outcomes of cheating
- Psychological distress for both partners
- Relationship breakup
Why do people cheat?
infidelity associated with:
- stronger sexual interest
- more permissive sexual values
- lower relationship satisfaction
- weaker network ties to partner
- greater sexual opportunities
for many people, being faithful in a long-term monogamous relationship takes work
The Never-Married Adults
- longer delay until marriage
- many never-married adults are in romantic relationships
Percentage of adults that never married
1971
- 20-24 - 56%
- 25-29 - 21%
2016
- 20-24 - 96%
- 25-29 - 77%
Long-Distance Relationships
- No differences in relationship or sexual satisfaction
- No differences in rates of infidelity
Singlehood
- Singleism: stigmatizing and stereotyping of people who are not in a romantic relationship
- Committed relationship ideology
- Singles are perceived as possessing more negative characteristics than partnered peers
Are singles really that bad?
- No!
- No differences in personality, attractiveness, self-esteem, and social ability
Fear of being single
- Many people fear being single (single and partnered alike)
- Fear of being single is a predictor of settling for less in existing relationships
- This fear also predicts romantic interest in lower quality partners
Cohabitation
- Stage before marriage (for many)
- Common-law
- Does not cause divorce
- More frequent sex
Marriage
- Why bother?
- Sex 2-3x/week
- Masturbation is normal
Sexual Satisfaction
More sexual satisfaction if:
1. sexual rewards > sexual costs
2. sexual rewards > sexual costs expected
3. Equal reward cost ratios
4. Satisfaction with nonsexual relationship
Prevalence
- 1.2%-37.5% in nationally representative U.S. Samples
- 16.5% - 85.5% in community/college samples
Four categories of sexual infidelity:
- Sexual/explicit behaviours – intercourse, oral sex, touching, kissing
- Technology/online behaviours - sexting, cybersex, browsing dating profiles
- Emotional/affectionate behaviours – sharing secrets, working late, giving/receiving emotional support/dressing to attract
- Solitary behaviours – viewing porn, masturbation, finding a celebrity attractive
Infidelity
- Sexual: physically arousing contact (e.g., kissing, sexual touching, oral sex)
- Romantic: close affection or intimate connection (e.g., “falling in love”)
- Some behaviours are almost always considered infidelity
Monogamy
- Monogamy = Expectation for romantic and sexual exclusivity in romantic relationship
- Most expect monogamy but only some discuss it
- Even so, infidelity is common
Having Babies & Careers
- Children affect the sexual relationship of the couple
- Tendency to delay having children
- Two-career homes do not differ in sexual satisfaction
Discrepant Sexual Desire
- Individuals can differ in levels of sexual desire
- Maintain satisfaction via sexual communal strength
- Approach vs. avoidance
