Addressing the Sexual Rights of Older People

2017 | Gender Studies

As life expectancy rises, sexual activity is increasingly acknowledged as an important dimension of older people's quality of life. Starting with the premise that people of any age have the right to live free of stigma and discrimination, including over their sexual orientation, gender identity and age, this book offers a positive and applied approach to older people's sexual rights, which counters the problem orientation of much of the current literature. Edited by two leading scholars in the field, it outlines how older people's rights to sexual expression can be affected by ageist beliefs as well as disability and ill health. It explores sexual and gender diversity by examining the experiences and rights of older heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. It considers aspects of sexual safety and the influence of new technologies on older people's sexual identity and sexual expression, including: * Sexual assault * Sexually transmitted diseases * Erection-enhancing medications * Online dating platforms Taking an international approach, the book critiques the research evidence and highlights issues and gaps regarding provision for older people.

It provides a rights-based framework to guide service providers, policy makers, practitioners and older people's groups, outlining both policy implications for change and practical strategies that can be adopted to address older people's sexual rights.

Catherine Barrett (Author)