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Leisure Sciences
An Interdisciplinary Journal
Volume 39, 2017 - Issue 3
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Research Articles

Sex as Leisure in Later life: A Netnographic Approach

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Pages 224-243 | Received 19 Oct 2015, Accepted 10 May 2016, Published online: 06 Jul 2016
 

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to provide an in-depth understanding of the roles of sex as leisure activity in later life and to explore the links between sex and wellbeing at this life stage. Applying a netnographic approach, the study followed a full year of activity in 14 leading English language-based seniors’ online communities. The final dataset of 2,534 sex-related posts was analyzed using constructivist grounded theory. The findings reflect the multiple roles of sex in older adulthood, highlighting its importance, leisurely qualities, and benefits. The community members also discussed various constraints limiting sexual function and expression. Many posters, however, did not treat these constraints as a verdict and reported adopting myriad strategies to maintain sexuality despite limiting constraints. These findings suggest that sexual activities encompass all patterns of leisure in older adulthood and highlight the threats of leisure constraints to wellbeing and the importance of constraint negotiation.

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