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.

To love and be loved is arguably one of the most powerfuland fundamental driving forces sustaining self-esteem and self-identity throughout the lifecourse. Need for reciprocal loving does not change as we grow older, despite failures of health,loss of a partner, late divorce, and alterations of personality due to the aging process.However, most studies of human sexuality have ignored the problems and developing patterns ofolder adults entering into new partnerships. To fill this gap, Intimacy inLater Life brings together a wide range of distinguished internationalscholars to address this neglected research area. Thisvolume explores how older people today think and behave in relation to partner change.Contributors consider the choices and constraints that influence decisions about new romanticrelationships after divorce or the death of a spouse, along with how these differ with respectto age, gender, and culture. The authors discuss the considerable social variety to be foundbetween "permissive" and morally conservative societies and cultural milieux,as well as how standards of sexual behavior have changed over time. Contributions include: KateDavidson and Graham Fennell, "New Intimate Relationships in Later Life," SofieGhaanfareeon Karlsson and Klas Borell, "Intimacy and Autonomy, Gender and Ageing:Living Apart Together," Deborah Carr and Rebecca Ut, "Late-Life Widowhood inthe United States: New Directions in Research and Theory," Nan Stevens,"Re-Engaging: New Partnerships in Late-Life Widowhood," Kate Davidson,"Gender Differences in New Partnership Choices and Constraints for Older Widows andWidowers," Jenny De Jong Gierveld, "The Dilemma of Repartnering:Considerations of Older Men and Women Entering New Intimate Relationships in LaterLife," Deborah K. Van Den Hoonaard, "Attitudes of Older Widows and Widowers inNew Brunswick, Canada Towards New Partnerships," Aldine J. Moore and Dorothy C.Stratton, "The 'Current Woman' in an Older Widower's Life," and Kalyani K.Mehta, "Perceptions of Remarriage by Widowed People inSingapore." Kate Davidson is lecturer in theDepartment of Sociology, University of Surrey, UK, and is co-director of the Centre for Researchon Ageing and Gender. Graham Fennell is professor ofsociology and social policy in the School of Business and Social Sciences, Roehampton Universityof Surrey, UK and European editor of Ageing International.

As people live longer around the world, remaining healthy into old age, the phenomenon of new intimate relationships in later life is rapidly growing. This book, part of the Ageing in a Global Context series, looks closely at how these relationships have developed within the current cohort of elderly, with particular attention to the ways in which new relationships at older ages are simultaneously rooted in older cultures of intimacy and partake in changes in social relations and behavior that have emerged more recently. What do new intimate relationships offer older men and women, and what do they expect or hope for from them?

A behavioral scientist explores love, belongingness, and fulfillment, focusing on how modern technology can both help and hinder our need to connect. A Next Big Idea Club nominee. Millions of people around the world are not getting the physical, emotional, and intellectual intimacy they crave. Through the wonders of modern technology, we are connecting with more people more often than ever before, but are these connections what we long for? Pandemic isolation has made us even more alone. In Out of Touch, Professor of Psychology Michelle Drouin investigates what she calls our intimacy famine, exploring love, belongingness, and fulfillment and considering why relationships carried out on technological platforms may leave us starving for physical connection. Drouin puts it this way: when most of our interactions are through social media, we are taking tiny hits of dopamine rather than the huge shots of oxytocin that an intimate in-person relationship would provide. Drouin explains that intimacy is not just sex—although of course sex is an important part of intimacy. But how important? Drouin reports on surveys that millennials (perhaps distracted by constant Tinder-swiping) have less sex than previous generations. She discusses pandemic puppies, professional cuddlers, the importance of touch, “desire discrepancy” in marriage, and the value of friendships. Online dating, she suggests, might give users too many options; and the internet facilitates “infidelity-related behaviors.” Some technological advances will help us develop and maintain intimate relationships—our phones, for example, can be bridges to emotional support. Some, on the other hand, might leave us out of touch. Drouin explores both of these possibilities.

To love and be loved is arguably one of the most powerful and fundamental driving forces sustaining self-esteem and self-identity throughout the life course. Need for reciprocal loving does not change as we grow older, despite failures of health, loss of a partner, late divorce, and alterations of personality due to the aging process. However, most studies of human sexuality have ignored the problems and developing patterns of older adults entering into new partnerships. To fill this gap, Intimacy in Later Life brings together a wide range of distinguished international scholars to address this neglected research area.

This open access book provides a comprehensive perspective on the concept of ageism, its origins, the manifestation and consequences of ageism, as well as ways to respond to and research ageism. The book represents a collaborative effort of researchers from over 20 countries and a variety of disciplines, including, psychology, sociology, gerontology, geriatrics, pharmacology, law, geography, design, engineering, policy and media studies. The contributors have collaborated to produce a truly stimulating and educating book on ageism which brings a clear overview of the state of the art in the field. The book serves as a catalyst to generate research, policy and public interest in the field of ageism and to reconstruct the image of old age and will be of interest to researchers and students in gerontology and geriatrics.

Today's older couples often look and function differently than those of yesteryear. Lifespans have increased, while many health challenges remain. Retirement, spousal role equity, and family caregiving needs look different now, and cultural shifts have shaped the prevalence and visibility of non-traditional older relationships, such as same-sex relationships and ""living apart-together"" relationships. With such an increased variety in relationship forms and social contexts, what does the research say about quality? What factors influence the nature and quality of today's older couple relationships, and what are the complex links between relationships and health? In this cutting-edge book, the authors present the latest theoretical, methodological, and empirical perspectives in the field of middle-age and older couple relationships. The chapters cover a broad range of topics, including the impact of health concerns, loneliness, chronic disease management, couple negotiation of everyday tasks, and coping across the lifespan. Implications for couples therapy and policy are included. In short, the book makes a significant stride into understanding the strengths and challenges of older couples.