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Sex and Intimacy in Later Life

Series Editors: Paul Simpson,  University of Manchester, Paul Reynolds, International Network for Sexual Ethics and Politics and The Open University and Trish Hafford-Letchfield, University of Strathclyde

Older people are commonly characterised as non-sexual, or their sexuality is considered a superficial concern in comparison to health, public services and pensions. This is despite evidence of an increase in sexual engagement amongst older people. Little academic attention has been given to this subject, or to the impact that this may have, such as increased rates of sexually transmitted infection or implications for healthy sex lives in care institutions.

This internationally focused series builds on, extends and deepens knowledge of sexual practice amongst older people. Pulling together work by established and emerging scholars across a range of disciplines, it covers the experiential, empirical and theoretical landscapes of sex and ageing.

Read this introduction from the series editors

Call for proposals

The Series Editors welcome proposals for books that represent current and innovative research on age, sex and sexuality. They particularly welcome books on the following themes:

  • Understanding older people’s sexual and intimate lives
  • Policy and practice change in supporting older people’s sexual and intimate lives
  • Technology and older people’s sexual and intimate lives
  • Recognition, diversity and sub-cultures in older people’s sexual and intimate lives
  • Representations of older people’s sexual and intimate lives and their effects
  • Constraints on older people’s sexual and intimate lives and challenging any unequal and unreasonable restrictions

If you would like to discuss a proposal, please direct your email to the Series Editors below:

Paul Simpson: paul.simpson-2@manchester.ac.uk
Paul Reynolds: sexethicspolitics@gmail.com
Trish Hafford-Letchfield: trish.hafford-letchfield@strath.ac.uk

International Advisory Board

Jill M. Chonody, Boise State University, US and University of South Australia, Australia
Mark Henrickson, Massey University of New Zealand, New Zealand
Ricardo Iacub, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
Diana Kwok, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Ketki Ranade, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India
Marjorie Silverman, University of Ottawa, Canada
Suen Yiu Tung, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

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Sex and Diversity in Later Life

Critical Perspectives

Addressing diversity in sexual and intimate experience later in life (50+), this collection explores how being older intersects with ethnicity, gender, sexuality and class. This original text extends knowledge concerning intimacies, practices and pleasures for those thought to represent normative forms of sexual identification and expression.

Policy Press

Later Life, Sex and Intimacy in the Majority World

This book challenges Western-centric views on sex in later life by exploring diverse cultures from the majority world. It advocates learning from overlooked perspectives and dismantling stereotypes about their sexual conservatism. It critiques cultural binaries, emphasising the need to decentre Western perspectives as the benchmark.

Policy Press

HIV, Sex and Sexuality in Later Life

Drawing on international perspectives and research, this book explores the experiences of sex and sexuality in individuals and groups living with HIV in later life (50+).

Policy Press

Desexualisation in Later Life

The Limits of Sex and Intimacy

Challenging stereotypes, this volume investigates the experiential and theoretical landscapes of older people’s sexual intimacies, practices and pleasures. Contributors explore the impact of desexualisation and distinguish the challenges older people face from the prejudices imposed on them.

Policy Press