Sexuality in Adulthood Across the Family Life Cycle

Sexuality in Adulthood Across the Family Life Cycle

Family life-cycle stage	At least two common sexuality-related transitions or concerns at this stage	At least two examples of how research and theory characterize positive sexual functioning during this stage	How you would intervene/use this information to assist the family
Single adulthood	Solo masturbation is common. Increased possibility of friends-with-benefits kind of relationship.	Positive experiences in solo masturbation open the way to increased levels of sexual subjectivity, more entitlement to sexual pleasure obtained through masturbation, and increased efficacy in attaining sexual pleasure and orgasm (Hensel & Fortenberry, 2014). This also enables one to be more expressive in their intimate relations and have high resistance to gendered double standards. FWB provides a relatively convenient and safe environment for one to satisfy one’s physical needs for sexual contact.	It will be important to emphasize proper sexual health to discourage risky sexual behaviors.
Committed long-term relationships	In committed long-term relationships, there is an increased tendency to have more open and frequent communication regarding sexual preferences compared to non-committed couples. There is also a higher sexual frequency in a month for individuals in long-term committed relationships. Attainment of pleasure is a key aspect in the sexual life of individuals in committed long-term relationships as these are also used to determine the quality of the relationship (Caltabiano, Castiglioni & De-Rose, 2020; Boislard, Van de Bongardt & Blais, 2016).	Better partner and individual sexual self-disclosure is linked with higher levels of sexual satisfaction. Research shows that sexual self-disclosure is an integral component of long-term sexual satisfaction since communication increases closeness and intimacy and enables partners to better comprehend the desires of one another (Hensel & Fortenberry, 2014). Better relationship quality and better sexual communication is also linked to higher sexual satisfaction.	Couples should be encouraged to communicate more about their sexual needs to enhance understanding of each other’s needs and become more explorative.
Becoming parents	Reduced sexual desires are common after childbirth (Behzadipour et al, 2021). Sexual pleasure also tends to decline, albeit temporarily (Jaworski et al., 2019).	Research shows that among postpartum women, solo masturbation played a major positive role in sexuality following birth, deriving more pleasure for women in comparison to partnered activities ( Hensel & Fortenberry, 2014).	Emphasis on the exploration of different styles and ways to boost sexual pleasure and frequency will be important.
Family life-cycle stage	At least two common sexuality-related transitions or concerns at this stage	At least two examples of how research and theory characterize positive sexual functioning during this stage	How you would intervene/use this information to assist the family
Divorce/relationship termination and remarriage/re-partnering	Possibility of having more casual sex after relationship termination (Jones, 2020) Tendency to abstain or indulge in solo masturbation.	With casual sex, one fails to have an attachment to people, allowing them to pursue sexual pleasure alone. Masturbation also facilitates increased pleasure and could increase one’s sexual confidence in a new relationship.	Emphasizing the need to resolve issues like anger first before moving on to the next relationship will be important. During this time, seeking therapy to boost confidence can help, and constant communication about sexual needs in a new relationship will be important for satisfaction.
Older adulthood	Increased satisfaction derived from solo masturbation. Declines in sexual desire and function are common in later stages of life.	Most individuals in later life stage are said to be living apart together, which allows them to participate in an intimate relationship while at the same time maintaining separate residences. This allows for intimacy with independence and autonomy. LAT partnerships offer benefits for sexuality by enabling a connection between people without the stress of attempting to integrate two different lifestyles (Hensel & Fortenberry, 2014). This allows for a healthy relationship in which the couple is close but independent and has differentiated identities. Partnerships among older adults have sexual benefits because new relationships, particularly for women, bring increased sexual satisfaction as well as emotional intimacy that is absent from previous relationships.	Attempting various ways of exploring sexuality and sexual pleasure is recommended.

References

Behzadipour, S., Daneshpour, M., Damreihani, N., & Aflatooni, L. (2021). Sexual satisfaction and intimacy during pregnancy and after childbirth. Sexologies, 30(2), e111-e117.

Boislard, M. A., Van de Bongardt, D., & Blais, M. (2016). Sexuality (and lack thereof) in adolescence and early adulthood: A review of the literature. Behavioral Sciences, 6(1), 8.

Caltabiano, M., Castiglioni, M., & De-Rose, A. (2020). Changes in the sexual behaviour of young people: introduction. Genus 76, 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41118-020-00107-1

Hensel, D. J., & Fortenberry, J. D. (2014). Life-span sexuality through a sexual health perspective. In D. L. Tolman, L. M. Diamond, J. A. Bauermeister, W. H. George, J. G. Pfaus, & L. M. Ward (Eds.), APA handbook of sexuality and psychology, Vol. 1. Person-based approaches (pp. 385–413). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/14193-013

Jaworski, M., Panczyk, M., Królewicz, I., Belowska, J., Krasuski, T., & Gotlib, J. (2019). Partner’s support during pregnancy as the mediator of women’s sexual satisfaction after childbirth. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 1-15.

Jones, K. (2020). After Divorcing At 50, I Prioritised My Sex Life. This Is What Happened. Huffington Post. https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/sex-after-divorce_uk_5f7f3962c5b664c95bd66ba4

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Use the five family life-cycle stages listed in the Sexuality in Adulthood Across the Family Life Cycle chart to organize your thoughts for this assignment. For this paper:

Single adulthood
Committed, long-term relationships
Becoming parents
Divorce/relationship termination and remarriage/re-partnering
Older adulthood

– Describe two common sexuality-related transitions or concerns at each stage.
– Provide two examples of how research and theory characterize positive sexual functioning during each stage.
– Briefly describe how you might intervene or use this information to assist clients.

Reference
Hensel, D. J., & Fortenberry, J. D. (2014). Life-span sexuality through a sexual health perspective. In D. L. Tolman, L. M. Diamond, J. A. Bauermeister, W. H. George, J. G. Pfaus, & L. M. Ward (Eds.), APA handbook of sexuality and psychology, Vol. 1: Person-based approaches. (pp. 385–413). American Psychological Association. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1037/14193-013