Aging and sexuality – an existential-phenomenology perspective.

Abstract

Dasein is in a socially and historically circumscribed world, so that their possibilities and choices pervade this historical, social and temporal horizon. Aging is a phase of human development that also brings possibilities and the experience of sexuality can be one of them. This article aims at building up some theoretical considerations about old age, the Dasein freedom and sexuality in this moment of life. Twelve articles that address the subject of sexuality in old age were analyzed and an understanding of existential phenomenological inspiration was carried out. Three themes were listed: 1) sexuality seen as necessary in old age, 2) the (im) possibilities of experiencing sexuality based on gender issues, 3) the normalization of sexuality. Living sexuality fully can be an aspect of Dasein`s freedom, but it can also be imprisoning, in the sense of falling into the improper mode when there is a norm saying that it has to be experienced. Gender issues also appear in this experience: women and men understand the experience of sexuality in this stage of life in a different way. It is concluded that the experience of sexuality can even bring more quality of life and health to the elderly, but only if it makes sense to them. The elderly's own experience on the subject needs to be valued by those who dare to take care of it so that freedom and autonomy are possible.