Later Life, Sex and Intimacy in the Majority World

Literature on sex, intimacy and sexuality in later life has been heavily influenced by perspectives from more affluent regions, perpetuating the belief that the West is more sexually progressive and liberal than other cultures.

This book challenges this belief by exploring diverse cultures and perspectives from the majority world, which are often overlooked. It highlights the importance of learning from cultures in the global South and East, dismantling stereotypes that frame them as sexually conservative or inferior.

Variously drawing on structuralist, postcolonial and decolonial theory as well as social anthropology, the book critically examines binaries related to culture, age, sex and intimacy, highlighting the need to decentre Western perspectives as the benchmark while other cultures and practices are misunderstood.

Krystal Nandini Ghisyawan is Director of Research at the Silver Lining Foundation in Trinidad and Tobago.

Debra A. Harley is Provost Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Early Childhood, Special Education and Counsellor Education at the University of Kentucky.

Shanon Shah is Researcher at the Information Network Focus on Religious Movements (Inform), based at King’s College London, and Tutor in Islam at the University of London’s Divinity programme.

Paul Simpson is Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Manchester.