Sex and the (older) single girl: Experiences of sex and dating in later life

• Older single women demonstrate great diversity in experiences of, and desire for, sex.
• Their sexual subjectivities are informed by broader norms and discourses on ageing and sex.
• Older women also challenge, resist and negotiate these norms.
• Older single women often remained single by choice and valued their independence.
• There was a perceived lack of ‘suitable’, single older men, limiting the women's relationship options.

This study explored the sexual subjectivities of older Australian women. In this article we present findings from 15 qualitative interviews with Australian women aged 55-81 who were single at the time of interview. The majority of these women were single following divorce or separation, with a smaller number of women who were widowed or never in a long-term relationship. We found that these women’s sexual desire and sexual activity were fluid and diverse across their life course. Although some participants desired a romantic or sexual relationship, they were also protective of their independence and reluctant to re-enter into a relationship in later life. Our findings indicate that these women’s sexual subjectivities were shaped by dominant norms of ageing, sex, and gender. At the same time, older women are challenging and resisting these norms, and beginning to renegotiate sexuality in later life.