Bárbara García, doctor and sexologist: 'Older adulthood is like a second puberty'
Bárbara García, a gynecologist and sexologist from Argentina, discusses her new book that addresses the misconceptions surrounding sexuality and pleasure, particularly for older adults.
Bárbara García, a gynecologist and sexologist, has dedicated her career to dismantling the taboos surrounding pleasure and advocating for informed and healthy sexuality. Her recently published book, "Poder irse," explores the various customs and beliefs about pleasure that she has encountered throughout her practice. The book addresses both adolescents learning about their first sexual experiences and older adults venturing into new and liberating discoveries about their sexuality, encouraging a positive understanding of sexual health across the lifespan.
In the context of her work, García emphasizes that sexuality is a vital aspect of well-being that persists throughout life. She highlights the importance of moving away from a coitocentric view—focusing solely on penetration and traditional definitions of sexual intercourse—which can alienate older adults from enjoying their sexuality. Instead, she advocates for a broader perspective that embraces diverse expressions of pleasure and intimacy, allowing individuals, particularly the elderly, to reclaim and celebrate their sexual experiences without stigma or shame.
García's insights contribute to a growing discourse on sexuality in older adulthood, helping to illuminate the challenges faced by a demographic often overlooked in discussions about sexual health. By advocating for educational resources and open conversations about pleasure at any age, her work aims to empower people to understand and embrace their desires as a natural course of life, thereby enriching their overall quality of life and emotional well-being.