Aging gays.

• Main Authors: Austria, Marianne, Castillo, Irina, Llave, Chinkey
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2001
• Subjects: Older gays; Biological Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/10212
• Institution: De La Salle University

Being gay and being old, gay men experience changes in their life, physically and socio-emotionally, that can cause stress and anxiety. With these life changes that they face, they seek help from their lover and friends. These people provide support that can help them with their problems. Through them, gay men can feel that they are accepted and they are not alone. This study aimed to describe the forms of support provided by friends and lover to gay men as they go through midlife. In particular, this study determined the common aging-related problems gay men face in midlife. With the support given, the study also looked at the feelings of gay men. The method of self-report through face-to-face interview was employed. There were 10 middle aged gay men, chosen using non-probability purposive sampling technique. The participants were gathered through chain referrals. The interview sessions were conducted by using a self-constructed interview guide with open-ended questions. Data was analyzed using cross case analysis. As a result, the five common aging-related problems gay men are experiencing are financial problems, burnout, growing old alone, physical aging and family problems. These are the problems that they disclosed to either their friends and/or lovers. To help them, their lover and friends provide help such as listening, giving advice and etc. However, the relief they feel is only temporary. It's temporary with friends because of: first, it is only limited second, most of their friends are also experiencing the same problems and third, friends cannot be a permanent and intimate companion to them. With a lover, it is also temporary because of: first, they cannot empathize with them because of age difference and second, their relationship with their lover is also uncertain. But having a lover is still important because that makes them feel special.