At this stage of life, the middle years, both sexes have the world at their feet. Many have never had so much spare time and money in their lives, with their children now off their hands. Today, with the help of modern medical knowledge, they are able to feel well enough to make the most of life if they want to. I hope this book has been of some help.
Community attitudes and women’s expectations for themselves are daily changing for the better with the advent of women’s alterations in life style. They not only want a better life for themselves, but are prepared to put up with far less frustration than their mothers did.
The author of Late Bloom; New Lives for Women2′ points out that never before has the climate been so attuned and encouraging to mature achievers. They have had to overcome, of course, a double disadvantage – middle-age and their sex. There have been years of prejudice to stamp out, and years of being conditioned to the idea that ‘our’ goal is ‘his’ career, but these women are now altering the situation. Late Bloom; New Lives for Women describes how women’s horizons are now widening at this age. Many are entering business and graduating from courses; adult education classes are packed.
Gone are the days when older women were regarded by public opinion as being past sexual activities. Dr Alex Comfort,”" expresses the opinion that age is no barrier to sexual experience, and that it is not only comforting, but it also guards against marital disharmony. According to him, people stop having sex for the same reason they stop riding bicycles – general infirmity, thinking it looks ridiculous, or having no bicycle. They should expect to enjoy sex long after they have abandoned their bicycles. As for looking ridiculous, in his view it doesn’t look any sillier than, say, playing golf.
Kinsey has shown that ageing need not affect a woman’s sexual capacity until late in life. This is particularly the case when regular sexual stimulation is continued.
However, it takes two to promote sexual interest. I am more oriented to the female point of view because I don’t see many men, but a large proportion of the women I see describe husbands who are impotent due to excessive intake of alcohol, following heart attacks, or because they are affected by medication. These women assure me that the husband ‘would never discuss it with his doctor’. Both partners are missing out, and they must bring the subject up with their doctors and seek counselling if this situation is bothering them. I do not believe that either sex is, in most cases, chasing younger partners. The majority I see want partners of their own age group, and want to retain associations which, in many cases, have been with them for decades. But they also want their partners alert and in good working order. They both want to feel well; for it is a time to find other interests, time to be close to partners, and time to consider themselves.
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