Intimacy in Later Life

by Davidson,Kate M.

• ISBN13: 9780765805577
• ISBN10: 076580557X
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2003-11-30
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

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 volume explores how older people today think and behave in relation to partner change. Contributors consider the choices and constraints that influence decisions about new romantic relationships after divorce or the death of a spouse, along with how these differ with respect to age, gender, and culture. The authors discuss the considerable social variety to be found between "permissive" and morally conservative societies and cultural milieux, as well as how standards of sexual behavior have changed over time. Contributions include: Kate Davidson and Graham Fennell, "New Intimate Relationships in Later Life, " Sofie Ghazanfareeon Karlsson and Klas Borell, "Intimacy and Autonomy, Gender and Ageing: Living Apart Together, " Nan Stevens, "Re-Engaging: New Partnerships in Late-Life Widowhood, " Kate Davidson, "Gender Differences in New Partnership Choices and Constraints for Older Widows and Widowers, " Jenny De Jong Gierveld, "The Dilemma of Repartnering: Considerations of Older Men and Women Entering New Intimate Relationships in Later Life, " Deborah K. Van Den Hoonaard,"Attitudes of Older Widows and Widowers in New Brunswick, Canada Towards New Partnerships, " and Kalyani K. Mehta, "Perceptions of Remarriage by Widowed People in Singapore."

Table of Contents

Introduction: New Intimate Relationships in Later Life	vii
Kate Davidson and Graham Fennell
1. Intimacy and Autonomy, Gender and Ageing: Living Apart Together	1	(18)
Sofie Ghazanfareeon Karlsson and Klas Borell
2. Late-Life Widowhood in the United States: New Directions in Research and Theory	19	(28)
Deborah Carr and Rebecca Utz
3. Re-Engaging: New Partnerships in Late-Life Widowhood	47	(18)
Nan Stevens
4. Gender Differences in New Partnership Choices and Constraints for Older Widows and Widowers	65	(20)
Kate Davidson
5. The Dilemma of Repartnering: Considerations of Older Men and Women Entering New Intimate Relationships in Later Life	85	(20)
Jenny de Jong Gierveld
6. Attitudes of Older Widows and Widowers in New Brunswick, Canada Towards New Partnerships	105	(16)
Deborah Kestin van den Hoonaard
7. The "Current Woman" in an Older Widower's Life	121	(22)
Alinde J. Moore and Dorothy C. Stratton
8. Perceptions of Remarriage by Widowed People in Singapore	143	(18)
Kalyani K. Mehta
Contributors	161	(2)
Index	163