Sexuality & Spirituality in Mid and Later Life
Workshop # 58
Peggy Brick
How can we be sexually healthy and whole as we age? Confronted with changing bodies, changing relationships and changing lives, we will explore the changing meanings of sexuality in mid and later life. Communicating with clear and caring guidelines, we will examine the interface of sexuality and spirituality as we grow older.
Percentage of time:
Worship/worship-sharing 20; Lecture 20; Discussion 30; Experiential 30
Adults only
Full Description
Participants will discover how to continue to seek "sexual wholeness" as they address the many changes that are part of our lives as we age.
Objectives:
Participants will -
- Identify their concerns, questions, and discoveries regarding sexuality and spirituality in mid and later life.
- Review the basic facts regarding sexuality in mid and later life and assess the changes in sexual attitudes, values and behaviors in society during our lifetimes.
- Discuss what our personal experiences tell us about the interface of sexuality and spirituality in mid and later life.
- Evaluate statements on sexuality from "Faith and Practices" and other Quaker writings as they apply to the lives of older adults.
- Discuss particular dilemmas regarding sexuality and spirituality faced by people in mid and later life.
- Develop queries that address issues of sexuality and spirituality in mid and later life and aging.
Probable Sessions:
Sunday: Introductions; Identify participants' current concerns regarding spirituality, sexuality and aging.
Monday: Discuss spirituality and sexuality through our lifespans: how our beliefs, values, attitudes and feeling have changed.
Tuesday: Overview: sexuality and aging – basic facts.
Wednesday: Evaluate statements about spirituality and sexuality from "Faith & Practices;" other Quaker documents and other religious groups.
Thursday: Develop a set of Queries addressing issues of sexuality, spirituality and aging.
Friday: Examine a variety of difficult life situations suggested by participants and seek sexually moral responses.
