Age brings new romance with byte

While a planned June 2009 finish for her PhD means any firm conclusions are a fair way off, Malta says she can surmise that no matter what age, love, sex and intimacy are of ongoing importance and older adults are using the internet to find new partners.

In fact, the internet could be the ideal tool for older adults. "A lot of people said they don’t do the bar or club or pub scene – it’s just so detrimental to their self-esteem. The internet has opened up this whole vista of availability that wasn’t there before."

The information, she says, while fascinating in itself, will also be important in a broader context, perhaps helping to shape public policy in the future as the population ages.

For example, it could be important for those designing housing for older people, who will have to consider that allowing for people to be sexual could aid their health and wellbeing.

"Imagine if you go to a hostel or a residency and you’re told you can’t have your partner come in and have conjugal visits. These things should be factored in."

Malta says it is important that society realises that older adults are neither technophobic nor asexual. "The number of older adults will continue to rise in coming years, so these issues need to be looked at now because we have to change our attitudes."

Interviewees requested the use of pseudonyms.
This article first appeared in the Swinburne Magazine