SEX AND THE SINGLE BOOMER

KANTRAVOWITZ (2006) NEWSWEEK, 2/20/ 51-63

Seniors have redefined youth. Fifty is the new thirty and sixty is a way of being 40. They may not feel that everyday, but they look it in jeans and colored hair. They are dating again, because of the death of a mate, divorce, or they have never married.

Most still meet the old fashion way through friends and relatives. However, more are going on line to find a mate. According to a new AARP survey, Nearly one-third are unattached after fifty and they want to date again. So they do. Unfortunately, they are involved in unprotected sex. No one is going to get pregnant and when they dated early in life, most disease were gone or curable. Some want a mate and others want a friend. They don't want to move in together, but see each other on a regular basis.

There are more men looking than women so that gives females leverage. This is a change from the past. Generally women outlive men. However, more women are now in committed relationships, so it is the men that are looking.

This is all new to the American experience. Generally seniors in the past left the marriage market and lived solitary or family oriented lives. Now they are out there again and for the most part enjoying it. For those who are widowed, they want their mate back, but find dating acceptable.

How all this works out is yet to be written.