The Bonus Years of Adulthood

Exploring the Newest Stage of the Life-Cycle
Maggie Scarf, author and journalist, is a Fellow of Jonathan Edwards College, Yale. Her latest book is September Songs: The Good News About Marriage in the Later Years. See full bio

Interview with a Pentecostal

He identified himself as a Pentecostal and requested an interview

He identified himself as a Pentecostal on my e-mail, and asked for an interview in regard to my recent book, September Songs. My book is about "young-old" adult long-marrieds (couples 50-75 yrs), so I thought the topic of our talk would be clear. But should I identify myself as Secular in advance, or just let the subject come up in our talk? I decided on the latter course.
However when he called, at the appointed time, he didn't want to talk about "senior marriage"; he wanted to talk about sex. Sex with a capital S. He asked me what I thought about sex between older singles? I said I hadn't studied older singles. He asked me what I thought about the new ways in which older singles "hooked up" these days? I said "hooking up" could mean anything from becoming acquainted to having sexual intercourse; he decided to let that question go by without further comment. Then he wanted to know what I thought of the new medications such as Viagra? Next he asked if I could comment on the degree of knowledge that seniors had in regard to the spread of STD's?
I told him I wasn't a physician and hadn't encountered sexual acting out in the older  married adults in my research sample.

When our conversation was over, I went to Wikipedia and looked up "Pentecostal." I learned that it was a charismatic form of Christianity which emphasized the "direct personal experience of God through rhe baptism of the Holy Spirit."
Well, okay....I'm still trying to figure out what that conversation was really about.



Subscribe to The Bonus Years of Adulthood

Your Ex-Factor...

This invaluable guide will open your eyes to promote fulfilling relationships regardless of "old baggage".
Read more...
Argosy University
Learn more about our graduate degree programs in clinical psychology.
Read more...
Anxiety Free
A comprehensive formula with herbs and nutrients clinically proven to increase feelings of well-being.
Read more...

Find a Therapist

Search our customized Directory for a licensed professional near you.

Current Issue

Everyday Creativity

How to start living creatively and reap the benefits.