(229) Late Life Male Virgins: Exploring the Psycho-Social-Sexual Consequences of Sexual Inexperience in Cisgender American Males Seeking Sex Therapy

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Reports on past studies about male sexuality, as it compares to women’s, indicate that men have higher sex drives, more positive attitudes toward casual or uncommitted sexual encounters, being more eager to engage in a variety of sexual activities, having more positive emotional responses to intercourse and having higher value regarding sexual experience and activity than women. Although the literature and cultural norms have perpetuated the myth of the sexual male, there is a dearth of literature regarding male virginity, specifically, late life male virginity, and its impacts on psycho-social-sexual health. Objective To investigate the experiences of later in life male virgins and the effects of their sexual status on their psycho-social-sexual health. To provide new insight into late life male virgins' assumptions, feelings, and gender role expectations and their perceptions on how those impact their attainability of sexual interactions and romantic relationships. To increase awareness among clinicians regarding the need for targeted interventions for late life male virgins in clinical practice. Methods This exploratory qualitative research was based on the case studies of five cisgender heterosexual men in the United States of America, who were late life virgins at the time of the study (defined as men 45 years and older, with no previous sexual experiences or interactions with the opposite sex) who sought Sex Therapy and Surrogate Partner Therapy to assist in their objective to acquire social and sexual skills with the goal of having their sexual debut. Results The common themes that stemmed from the case studies revealed that: 1) although the men in the study were able to achieve academic and professional status, they felt flawed and out of the norm due to their virginity status; 2) all the men hid their sexual inexperience from peers and family due to shame and fear of negative consequences to their reputation and even professional loss; and 3) made evident the challenges these men face while navigating social and sexual experiences later in life; 4) underscored the damaging effects of myths, stereotypes and societal expectations around male sexuality; and 5) highlighted the lack of information, education and therapeutic tools that could help guide late life male virgins in their pursuit to exercise their sexuality. Conclusions The study provides a greater understanding of the challenges and issues late life male virgins face in their quest to reach their sexual debut and live satisfactory sex lives that meet their particular needs. The themes offer guidance for the development and implementation of sex therapy interventions that will help this specific cohort, as well as directions for future research. Disclosure No.