A sexualidade na percepção de mulheres idosas residentes na Quarta Colônia de Imigração Italiana

Abstract

The sexuality of elderly women has already been surrounded by myths and taboos, including that elderly women are asexual. The experience of sexuality goes far beyond youth, being a common act, capable of providing health and well-being to the elderly. Thus, the objective of this study is to understand the perception that elderly women living in the fourth Italian immigration colony have regarding their sexuality. This is a qualitative research of an exploratory and interpretative nature, aimed at understanding the sexuality of elderly women. The study was developed in a group of elderly women belonging to the fourth Italian immigration colony in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, where interviews called in-depth interviews were carried out, which followed a script with open questions, allowing the interviewee the freedom to speak in a free and open about sexuality. The results found in this research are the meanings related to sexuality, religion and punishment, and how elderly women had their bodies seen as an object of work for a long time. Through this research, it was found that the experience of sexuality extends beyond youth, being a common phenomenon that contributes to the health and wellbeing of older people. It was evident that, even in the face of taboos surrounding elderly women's sexuality, attention to the body and the experience of sexuality remain present.