A survey was conducted to determine the attitudes of the aged with regard to sex and remarriage for later comparison with the attitudes the younger generation has regarding the sex life of old people and an analysis of the factors suppressing sexuality in old age. The sample was 247 males and 169 females 60 years of age and over.
The results are as follows :
Although many of the aged males retain sexual urges, almost all of the aged females have lost them. Very few of the aged want to remarry with no difference between males and females, and many of them estimate that their children would oppose remarriage of an elderly parent. However, contrary to the ideas of the aged, many younger people consider it natural that the aged should take an interest in the opposite sex and feel sexual urges, and would agree to the remarriage of an aged parent.