Few would question the notion that sexuality is of intense interest to young or even middle-aged people. Evidence of that interest can be seen in the myriad cultural images projected by advertisements, television, movies, books, plays, and print media. Yet, older people are rarely portrayed in romantic ways, much less as having sexual interests or needs. Existing research reflects these cultural stereotypes in that an absence of information persists about sexuality in the relationships of older persons. Garza and Dressel (1983) point out that the most obvious shortcoming of existing research in later-life relationships is the lack of concern with the role of sexuality within the marital relationship. Contributing to ...