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Studying Sexualities from a Life Course Perspective

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Handbook of the Sociology of Sexualities

Part of the book series: Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research ((HSSR))

Abstract

This chapter overviews theory and research on sexual beliefs, behaviors, and identities over the life course. Following a brief history of the life course perspective on sexualities, the author outlines a conceptual framework for studying gendered sexualities from birth to death. Next, she evaluates a wide range of methods suitable for research in this area and discusses in depth exemplary recent studies focusing on different stages of the life course (e.g., adolescence, midlife, old age), the development of sexual identity and orientation, and specific experiences (e.g., parenthood, military service), paying particular attention to the ways gender, race, ethnicity, social class, and sexual orientation intersect to shape the life course. The chapter concludes by proposing critical areas for future research, including seldom-examined life stages (e.g., childhood, very old age), links across multiple life stages, pleasure and desire, transgender and intersex, sexual subcultures, physical and mental illness, disabilities, and contexts other than wealthy, post-industrial nations.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Scare quotes are mine, not Span’s.

  2. 2.

    Sociologists generally recognize a distinction between sex—the chromosomes, hormones, and genital configurations used to distinguish female and male bodies—and gender, the social and cultural meanings and practices associated with femininity and masculinity (Lorber 1993). Both sex and gender are increasingly recognized as socially constructed.

  3. 3.

    Most, but not all, respondents in this analysis self-identified as heterosexual.

  4. 4.

    This is true of research about sexual minorities and aging more generally. (Thanks to Moira Carmody for this insight.)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Vanderbilt University, 37240, Nashville, TN, USA

    Laura M. Carpenter

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Correspondence to Laura M. Carpenter .

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  1. Department of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    John DeLamater

  2. Department of Sociology, Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York, USA

    Rebecca F. Plante

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Carpenter, L. (2015). Studying Sexualities from a Life Course Perspective. In: DeLamater, J., Plante, R. (eds) Handbook of the Sociology of Sexualities. Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17341-2_5

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