Sex and single women in midlife

Theoretical perspectives, recent findings, and future directions

Bibliographic Data

ID12927183
AuthorsNancy Luke (0000-0001-6170-4982, Pennsylvania State University, corresponding author), Michelle Poulin (0000-0002-5313-2395, University of California, Berkeley)
Year2023
Volume15
Issue3
Pages578-594
Publication date2023-05-30
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Family Theory & Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1756-2570 • E-ISSN: 1756-2589
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/jftr.12518
OpenAlexW4381926415
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited55

Demographic trends, such as the graying of divorce, have led to increasing numbers of unmarried women in midlife, yet little is known about the meaning of sex and intimacy among this population. This article reviews the nascent literature on single women's sexual experiences at midlife, theoretical frameworks that have been employed, and key findings. Challenging the stereotype that single women in midlife are in sexual decline, research shows that many women embrace their newfound freedom, have increased agency in midlife, and have positive sexual experiences. Others face impediments to finding new partners and engaging in sexual activity, including the lasting effects of abuse from previous relationships and restrictive social norms. For some, sex becomes less important in midlife, often replaced by close relationships with family and friends. Research largely focuses on White, heterosexual women; research on the experiences of racial and sexual minorities and midlife women in the Global South is needed

Agency (philosophy · Developmental psychology · Face (sociological concept · Meaning (existential · Population · Sociology · Stereotype (UML · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Demography · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Gender Studies · Psychology · Social Psychology

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Open DOIOpen Access