Older adults' embodied experiences of aging and their perceptions of societal stigmas toward sexuality in later life

Sexuality is an important part of life for many older adults, and research is beginning to demonstrate the diversity of sexual agency and sexual expression in middle and later life. There is a lack of qualitative research, however, on the lived experiences of older adults concerning this topic. The aim of this study was to explore older adults’ embodied experiences and perceptions of aging in relation to sexuality, and whether differences based on gender and/or sexual orientation exist amongst this participant group. Thirty-one United Kingdom adults aged 66–92 years (M age 74; 16 women and 15 men) completed in-depth semi-structured interviews; these were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were generated. Changing Body; Media and Society; and “I still feel the same inside.” Older adults reported being seen as “past it” and irrelevant, but some saw this as freedom from societal expectations. Health and functional aspects of their bodies were prioritised over aesthetics and “overly glamourous” older celebrities were rejected as appropriate role models. Aging “well” meant resisting decline, but outward appearances did not always align with internal perceptions and experience. Many of our participants had internalised narratives of “successful aging” that centred around retaining youth. Findings support affirmative aging narratives. Aging as a time of difference without a sense of loss or decline. Implications for how later life is presented in advertising and service provision are discussed. •Older adults felt that they are seen as non-sexual and irrelevant by wider society.•Body image moved away from aesthetics to focus on health and functionality.•Media representations are “overly glamourous” and do not reflect lived experience.•Incongruence between the mind and body sometimes led to feeling out of control.•Seeing aging and later life as a time of difference, not decline, aided wellbeing.