In one of my HECOL classes, we discussed the topic of Viagra. I decided to summarize our thoughts and fndings on the use of Viagra in later life.
The debut of Sildenafil Citrate, better known as
Viagra, has left heterosexual couples ranging in agefrom their late 50’s to
their 70’s, perplexed on whether the usage of this blue pill enhances or
strains their relationship, in and out of the bedroom. There has been evidence
of positive influences on sexual intimacy when Viagra is present, extending
from the obvious reason of the ability of penile penetration; the secrecy of
active sexuality among elders has been exposed through the availability of
Viagra. Gullette discloses in a study that “sexuality diminishes with age and
this decline is framed as an inevitable and ‘negative’ outcome of ageing” (in
Vares, Potts, Gavey, & Grace, 2007, p. 153), thus, supporting the
dependency of Viagra to transform their sex life into something positive.
On the other hand, the use of Viagra has been seen as a violation of societal
norms and natural processes within intimacy associated with elders. The
negative influence that Viagra has on couples in later life shifts the dynamics
of the relationship ties they have with their partners. Though couples in later
life suggest that Viagra has enhanced their intimate relationship with their
spouse, it can be strongly argued that the ambiguity of this issue is the
dominant standpoint.
Among couples in later life, three important trends
have risen in support of viewing the use of Viagra as beneficial to the
relationship. The first trend is the most predictable when examining Viagra use
among couples in later life; the fact that greater “physical stimulation is
required to maintain erections” and less intense orgasms come with ageing
(Morgentaler, 2000). Viagra has proven to dampen such erupting
frustration, allowing women to have their sexual desires met. Secondly,
the ability to explore sexual intercourse in later life has fuelled elders to
utilize their past experience, gained knowledge of their body and sexual
confidence in performing sexuality in more pleasurable ways.Lastly, there is a
strong sense of youth reminiscence that partners the existence of Viagra. As
told by an elder examined in one study, Viagra has “allowed us [elders] to
enjoy sex again – make us mentally feel younger” (Loe, 2004, p. 308). Ageing
has developed the mournful loss of sexual capacity among older men. Aiding these
feelings, Viagra has instilled “hope of revisiting the ‘firmness’ and ‘energy’
of adolescent erections” (Potts, Grace, Vares, & Gavey, 2006, p. 314). The
prospect for males to live sexually in later life through youth’s opportunities
is most evidently seen through the Playboy icon, Hugh Hefner. In a TIME magazine interview, he revealed that “the
happiest times…were the times in the early stages of romantic love, it keeps
you young; young love, new love, keeps you young” (Statemen, 2008).
Viagra has placed elderly men and women under
immense pressure to perform sexual activities with one another even when the
act is undesirable; men become worried about lost masculinity and women become
alert from the lack of emotional intimacy. The reappearance of a firm penis is
not likely to compromise both concerns. In addition, when conforming to
Viagra’s suggestive possession of high levels of sexual fitness, the concern
for the health of men in later life is degraded. Viagra is seen as a solution
to sexual decline, rather than medication; it has transformed into a scapegoat
for needing or wanting sex. Because of this, the health risks Viagra
potentially carries is overshadowed by the excitement of regaining
erectility.Lastly, the ego boost which men gain from the usage of Viagra has
caused older women to develop marital insecurity in fear of infidelity.
The
ambivalence Viagra carries is projected onto intimacy among older couples. This
causes discrepancies within relationship ties between partners and other family
bonds. As ambivalence becomes a known trend of sexual ties in later life, one
can justify that expressing sexuality among older generations will prevail in
reflecting both positive and negative outlooks.
References:
Vares,
T., Potts, A., Gavey, N., & Grace, V.M. (2007). Reconceptualizing cultural
narratives of mature women's sexuality in the Viagra era. Journal of
Aging Studies, 21,153-164.
Loe,
M. (2004). Sex and the senior women: pleasure and danger in the Viagra era. Sexualities, 7(3),
303-326.
Potts,
A., Grace, V.M., Vares, T., & Gavey, N. (2006). ‘Sex for life’? Men’s
counter-stories on ‘erectile dysfunction’, male sexuality and ageing. Sociology
of Health & Illness, 28(3), 306-329.
