(CBS) Baby boomers, the generation that made "free love" household words, still believe in love. But as they've matured, so have their attitudes about love, sex and relationships.

Results of a new study on sexuality at midlife and beyond, published in the current issue of AARP: The Magazine, was examined by The Early Show in its "5-0h!" series.

Hugh Delehanty, AARP publications editor-in-chief, and therapist Sallie Foley, author of "Sex & Love for Grownups," talked about it with co-anchor Harry Smith.

AARP did its first study of sexual attitudes in 1999. The recent study says that to seniors, relationships matter, intimacy is part of life and fidelity is important.

"It's not about free love," Delehanty said. "It's about deepening intimate relationships. What we found in this study is that there are three aspects to that new sexual revolution."

First, quality of life includes sexual activity. Delehanty explained, "A wide number of people, think that sex is an important part of a quality of life throughout your life, not just when you're young."

But the survey found that sex is not the most important part of life. Ranking higher was: being in good spirits, being healthy, good relationships with family and friends, financial security, good relationship with partner, spiritual well-being.

Second, use of medicine was accepted to improve sexual relationships. Delehanty said, "If there is a health problem related to sex, you're going to do something about it; not just roll over and say: 'Oh, that's just aging.'"

And third, Delehanty said, "Boomers are much more open to sex and much more tolerant of people who are unmarried having sex. But they're very conservative, as conservative as their elders, about fidelity. So this is all about relationships."

©MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Back To Top