Sexuality in the third age. The image of the university young people

Abstract

The research describes the vision that young Chileans have with respect to olderpeople's sexuality, considering the distinction between older people, olderwoman and older man. The analysis leans on currents of gerontological thoughtthat emphasize that an important part of senior citizens’ disabilities are productof their social exclusion rather than of factors associated to their physical ormental health. How the image of sexuality in old age is part of the configurationof this kind of exclusions, and how is linked to other characteristics attributed toolder people is the object of the research done on Chilean students by means ofa Semantic differential test applied to 682 university students of both sexes. Theresults show a generalized negative image on old age, projected, especially overthe sexuality in old age. Finally, a reflection on how the strength and weight ofthese stereotypes can be affecting the well-being expectations of present andfuture older people is proposed.