Human behaviour | Social Science homework help

REQUIRED READING RESOURCES

· Hutchison, E. D. (2019). 
Dimensions of human behavior: The changing life course (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

· Chapter 10, “Very Late Adulthood” (pp. 359-383)

Post the following:

· Describe 
two factors impacting sexual decision-making in very late adult clients.

· Explain how these factors influence either a positive or a negative outlook on late adult sexuality.

Respond to 
two colleagues:

· Recommend how each colleague might support individuals in very late adulthood with intimacy and sexuality.

RESPONSE1

Describe two factors impacting sexual decision-making in very late adult clients.

Sexuality is one aspect of intimacy. However, it deserves more attention; it should not be neglected, as it often is in interactions with older individuals. Hutchison (2019) states that “The lack of a sexual partner due to divorce, death, or illness is one of the most common reasons for an older adult reporting low interest in sex and little sexual activity” (p. 367). Another factor that impacts sexual decision-making in very late adult clients is a medical condition such as depression which may reduce or restrict movement or sexual function and impact pleasure (Hutchison, 2019).

Explain how these factors influence either a positive or a negative outlook on late adult sexuality.

“The sexual behavior of older adults, especially women, has changed in recent years. However, there are still certain stereotypes today related to pathophysiology, beliefs, culture, and tradition that negatively affect older adults’ sexual activity” (Ricoy-Cano et al., 2020, para. 1). The lack of a sexual partner has a negative outlook on late adult sexuality because of the low interest in sex, primarily due to the death of a spouse or life partner. Many people lose interest in lovemaking when their partners are no longer here to share their intimacy. Depression and other illnesses may be responsible for adverse changes in sexual behavior in older adults. In addition, personal, social, and cultural stereotypes can also harm the sexual behavior of older adults because some of them find it challenging to embrace age-related changes, such as body image (Ricoy-Cano et al., 2020). 

References

Hutchison, E. D. (2019). 
Dimensions of human behavior: The changing life course (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Ricoy-Cano, A. J., Obrero-Gaitán, E., Caravaca-Sánchez, F., & De La Fuente-Robles, Y. M. (2020). Factors Conditioning Sexual Behavior in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies. 
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 
9(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9061716

RESPONSE2

·
Describe two factors impacting sexual decision-making in very late adult clients.

One factor impacting sexual decisions making in very late adult clients is the fact that many men in people’s lives have passed away. People are often struggling with loneliness during this phase of life. Hutchison 2019 states “Given the scarcity of men and the fact that many partners and friends have died, many persons 85 and older, especially women, are more alone in this life stage than at other times in their lives” (p. 367). Another factor is that there is a bigger change in understanding of intimacy during this time. People are figuring things out for themselves and their levels of intimacy. 

·
Explain how these factors influence either a positive or a negative outlook on late adult sexuality.

The first factor can have a negative outlook on very late adults because it can isolate them and cause them to struggle with finding love at this age or wanting to have different forms of relationships with others. I think the second factor can be both positive or negative depending on how an individual takes this new understanding of intimacy. If the individual takes this as a form to learn and grow then it can be great, their world can be opened to greater possibilities, but if they see it as ways to isolate then it can have a negative effect on the individual.

Resources:

Hutchison, E. D. (2019). 
Dimensions of human behavior: The changing life course (6th

ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.