Myth or Fact? Older people, ages 65 and over, do not have sexual intercourse.
Myth. Older people, of all nationalities, have sex.
Surprised? It could be a little weird to think that your parents, grandparents or great-parents may still be engaging in the act, but chances are that they are. After all, they are human.
This fact also applies to elderly Nigerians. Just like people of other age groups and nationalities, older Nigerians are also having sex, though their habits and perceptions towards sex may differ slightly.
Unlike younger people, older Nigerians are more hesitant to have sex because of physical and physiological challenges. Because of the declining strength in their bodies, men are more likely to seek sex if they have external resources, ie. drugs, to help them enjoy sex.
Unlike men, women are less likely to actually seek sex. Many older women saw sex as an abomination and stated that having sex can have negative spiritual and physical consequences like death. Instead of focusing on sex, and satisfying one’s self, many women stated that it is more honorable for a woman to focus on being a good grandparent, an example to the young ones in their communities and more importantly strengthening one’s spirituality. Whether or not this perception of sex actually affected their frequency of engaging in sex is unknown, but the attitudes expressed by different older Nigerian women were very consistent.
In conclusion, older people are having sex, though most likely at decreased frequencies than younger people. Whenever you question the sexuality of older people, remember that like young people, old people have, are and will always be human beings with sexual needs that will continue to exist as they age.
References:
Ekundayo, Opeyemi O., Abimbola A. Akanni, and Ayobami O. Oyedeji. “Sexual Behavior of the Elderly at Ile-Ife, Nigeria.” Gender & Behavior 10.1 (2012): 4563-573.
Ojo Melvin Agunbiade & Titilayo Ayotunde (2012) Ageing, sexuality
and enhancement among Yoruba people in south western Nigeria, Culture, Health & Sexuality: An International Journal for Research, Intervention and Care, 14:6, 705-717
Saka MJ, Saidu R, Jimoh A, Akande T, Olatinwo AW. Behavioral pattern of menopausal Nigeria women. Ann Trop Med Public Health, 2012; 5:74-9.
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