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Seniors having sex has always been an unmentionable subject and is often ignored, especially in public. That's why you have to applaud Lyman Orton of the Vermont Country Store who spoke openly about seniors having sex in defense of his store's decision to sell various creams, ointments and objects designed to enhance sexual experiences.
The typical customer of Vermont Country Store--which has customers throughout the United States and the world through its successful catalogue sales operation--is 60 years old. Orton explained his decision to sell these sex items in a recent op-ed piece sent to various newspapers this way: "I'm running a store, trying to meet the needs of my customers, not worry about what corporate types think I should do. My shopkeepers' intuition told me there was a need for these products by our customers, and it turned out I was right. This, along with my willingness to talk about sex by 'older folks,' certainly got the old party lines humming."
Orton went on to say that it is time to have this discussion in the open. It's about more deeply understanding the changing culture around aging through a conversation with those who know a thing or two about the subject.?
Orton is right. Discussion of this subject should not be driven by a product that he has decided to sell. Reasonable people can agree or disagree whether his products are appropriate. However, making sure the taboo is lifted about seniors having sex and how they can remain sexually active is a healthy aging issue and is the most important aspect of this entire debate. The discussion started with Cialis and Viagra and it needs to continue. |
