Ageing, Sex, and Disability
New Aesthetics and Critical Perspectives
Policy Press
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 31. March 2026
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-4473-7597-5 (ISBN)
Description
What if we reimagined ageing, illness and disability not as barriers to sexuality-but as starting points for new forms of desire, intimacy and pleasure?
This groundbreaking book challenges the silence and stigma surrounding the sexuality of older, ill and disabled people. Drawing from sociology, health studies, cultural theory and lived experience, the authors explore diverse expressions of sexuality that defy long-established views.
From queer ageing to sex work and legal rights, this collection offers bold, inclusive perspectives and policy ideas that centre pleasure, agency and dignity. A vital resource for academics, practitioners and anyone invested in social inclusion and justice.
This groundbreaking book challenges the silence and stigma surrounding the sexuality of older, ill and disabled people. Drawing from sociology, health studies, cultural theory and lived experience, the authors explore diverse expressions of sexuality that defy long-established views.
From queer ageing to sex work and legal rights, this collection offers bold, inclusive perspectives and policy ideas that centre pleasure, agency and dignity. A vital resource for academics, practitioners and anyone invested in social inclusion and justice.
Reviews / Votes
'This edited volume provides valuable insights for anyone seeking to improve their understanding and knowledge of sexuality, disability and inclusivity in later life. The authors weave together scholarship from various disciplines to provide a fresh way of looking at older age and sexual citizenship. Students in the social sciences in particular will benefit from the insights offered in this collection.' Sharon Hinchliff, University of Sheffield 'Breaking the limits imposed on who can desire and be desired, this book radically expands the boundaries of sexuality in later life. The concept of an "aesthetic of sexuality" in older people with illnesses or disabilities shifts the conversation from mere tolerance of difference to an acknowledgment-and even expectation-of attractiveness. Bringing together perspectives from diverse countries and disciplines, this work makes a vital contribution to gerontology, sexology, and disability studies.' Alex Kalache, physician and gerontologist, and former director of Department of Ageing and Health at OMS and at ILC BrazilMore details
Series
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bristol University Press
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
3 s/w Tabellen, 16 s/w Abbildungen
Not illustrated
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
603 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4473-7597-5 (9781447375975)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Ageing, Sex, and Disability
New Aesthetics and Critical Perspectives
E-Book
03/2026
1st Edition
Policy Press
€48.99
Available for download
Persons
Ricardo Iacub is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Postgraduate Programme in the Psychology of Ageing at the University of Buenos Aires.
Paul Simpson is Lecturer in Ageing at the University of Manchester.
Trish Hafford-Letchfield is Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at the University of Strathclyde.
Paul Simpson is Lecturer in Ageing at the University of Manchester.
Trish Hafford-Letchfield is Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at the University of Strathclyde.
Content
Foreword by Brian de Vries
1. Introduction to the Volume: Motives, Themes, Issues and Chapter Synopses - Ricardo Iacub, Paul Simpson and Trish Hafford-Letchfield
2. From New Possibilities to Late Onset Affordances: Reflections on Lesbian Experiences of Ageing, Disability and (Non-)Sex - Giulia Nazzaro, Nika Looman, Katrien de Graeve
3. Old Hen Makes Good Broth: Body Practices, Eroticism and Disability in Older Binary Trans Women's Bodies - Cuauhtemoc Sanchez-Vega
4. Ageing, Disability and Sex: Older Lesbians Aging Into Physical Disability - Debra Harley
5. "Vivas": A Look at Female Aging from Art-Activism - Rose Cattana
6. Aesthetics of Eroticism in Older People with Dementia Portrayed in Contemporary Cinema - Ricardo Iacub, Paul Simpson
7. Cripping Sex as We Age: Caregiver Memoirs and Anti-Ableist Approaches to Sex - Elizabeth Kleinfeld
8. Sexy, Sick, Grand Daddies: Cultural Representations of Cross-Generational Intimacy and Older Gay Men Aging With/Into Disabilities - Jami McFarland
9. Decoding the Sexual Aesthetics of Illness, Disability and Later Life: Towards a Marxist Critique - Paul Reynolds
10. Sexuality and Folly in Old Age: How Far Do Rights Go? - Maria Isolina Dabove
11. Sexuality and Dementia: Navigating a Grey Area - Josep Faba and Feliciano Villar
12. Coming with Heart: Sex Work with Older and Disabled People - Mark Henrickson and Patricia Morgan
13. Ageism, Gender Difference and Older Physically Disabled and Learning Disabled People as Sexual Citizens - Mervyn Eastman
14. Is There Sex After Incontinence in Later Life? Towards a New Aesthetic - Trish Hafford-Letchfield
15. Final Reflections and Overarching Themes: New Sexual Aesthetics and Older, Disabled People - Paul Simpson, Trish-Hafford-Letchfield and Ricardo Iacub
1. Introduction to the Volume: Motives, Themes, Issues and Chapter Synopses - Ricardo Iacub, Paul Simpson and Trish Hafford-Letchfield
2. From New Possibilities to Late Onset Affordances: Reflections on Lesbian Experiences of Ageing, Disability and (Non-)Sex - Giulia Nazzaro, Nika Looman, Katrien de Graeve
3. Old Hen Makes Good Broth: Body Practices, Eroticism and Disability in Older Binary Trans Women's Bodies - Cuauhtemoc Sanchez-Vega
4. Ageing, Disability and Sex: Older Lesbians Aging Into Physical Disability - Debra Harley
5. "Vivas": A Look at Female Aging from Art-Activism - Rose Cattana
6. Aesthetics of Eroticism in Older People with Dementia Portrayed in Contemporary Cinema - Ricardo Iacub, Paul Simpson
7. Cripping Sex as We Age: Caregiver Memoirs and Anti-Ableist Approaches to Sex - Elizabeth Kleinfeld
8. Sexy, Sick, Grand Daddies: Cultural Representations of Cross-Generational Intimacy and Older Gay Men Aging With/Into Disabilities - Jami McFarland
9. Decoding the Sexual Aesthetics of Illness, Disability and Later Life: Towards a Marxist Critique - Paul Reynolds
10. Sexuality and Folly in Old Age: How Far Do Rights Go? - Maria Isolina Dabove
11. Sexuality and Dementia: Navigating a Grey Area - Josep Faba and Feliciano Villar
12. Coming with Heart: Sex Work with Older and Disabled People - Mark Henrickson and Patricia Morgan
13. Ageism, Gender Difference and Older Physically Disabled and Learning Disabled People as Sexual Citizens - Mervyn Eastman
14. Is There Sex After Incontinence in Later Life? Towards a New Aesthetic - Trish Hafford-Letchfield
15. Final Reflections and Overarching Themes: New Sexual Aesthetics and Older, Disabled People - Paul Simpson, Trish-Hafford-Letchfield and Ricardo Iacub