In 2013, the E-males study was launched to increase the visibility of (and meet the research gaps... more In 2013, the E-males study was launched to increase the visibility of (and meet the research gaps on) FtM transgender Australians and their needs, with a view to informing policy. This chapter describes the study’s two design compo- nents: an anonymous online survey which gathered basic data through quantitative and qualitative questions, and an anonymous online discussion-board forum which facilitated deeper discussions of the key themes with the research team and other respondents. This design allowed participants to give feedback on, and co-create, the topics and questions—to increase their ownership of the project and how they were to be presented. Participants were recruited through a range of recruitment techniques, including paid advertising, support groups and services, Facebook posts, e-lists, media interviews and so on. The study’s design and recruitment processes were informed by a reference group including a diverse range of FtM transgender Australian individuals, and feedback from key organisations.
Older age is often associated with asexuality. That is, older individuals are not viewed as desir... more Older age is often associated with asexuality. That is, older individuals are not viewed as desiring of sex, nor as sexually desirable to others. Broader social and cultural norms that downplay women's sexual desire and agency further compound these phenomena. Whether this popular image accurately reflects older women's sexual desires, behaviour and capacity to experience pleasure is unclear. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 43 partnered Australian women aged 55–81, this article considers women's sexual experiences and desires in older age. The findings of our research confirm that older women's experiences of sex and sexual desire are diverse and fluid. Some of the factors that influenced participants’ sexual behaviour and desire will be considered in this article, as will their understandings of what “counts” as sexual satisfaction and “successful sex”. The factors affecting sexual behaviour and desire also influence the way in which women are able to negotiate sexual interaction with their partners. Participants expressed a need for education and resources in order to gain greater control and to make autonomous choices over their sexual experiences, desire and ability to give and receive pleasure. The implications of these findings for practitioners are also considered.
This article reproduces and discusses a series of blog posts posted by academics in anticipation ... more This article reproduces and discusses a series of blog posts posted by academics in anticipation of the report on commercialisation, sexualisation and childhood, ‘Letting Children Be Children’ by Reg Bailey for the UK Department of Education in June 2011. The article discusses the difficulty of ‘translating’ scholarly work for the public in a context where ‘impact’ is increasingly important and the challenges that academics face in finding new ways of speaking about sex in public.
This book describes the first national study on female-to-male (FtM) transgender people’s experie... more This book describes the first national study on female-to-male (FtM) transgender people’s experiences in Australia. This extensive study fills the current gap in Australian research on the specific experiences and beliefs about transition for contemporary Australian FtM transgender people. Following an overview of current literature on the various aspects of and approaches to transgender issues, this book describes in detail the design, participants and findings of the study. It offers useful statistics and stories related to participants' identities, education, health, sexual and social lives. It ends with recommendations to all those working in the various offices and institutions that FtM transgender people encounter in their everyday life, and represents and invaluable resource for researchers, service providers and gender diverse communities alike
In 2013, the E-males study was launched to increase the visibility of (and meet the research gaps... more In 2013, the E-males study was launched to increase the visibility of (and meet the research gaps on) FtM transgender Australians and their needs, with a view to informing policy. This chapter describes the study’s two design compo- nents: an anonymous online survey which gathered basic data through quantitative and qualitative questions, and an anonymous online discussion-board forum which facilitated deeper discussions of the key themes with the research team and other respondents. This design allowed participants to give feedback on, and co-create, the topics and questions—to increase their ownership of the project and how they were to be presented. Participants were recruited through a range of recruitment techniques, including paid advertising, support groups and services, Facebook posts, e-lists, media interviews and so on. The study’s design and recruitment processes were informed by a reference group including a diverse range of FtM transgender Australian individuals, and feedback from key organisations.
Older age is often associated with asexuality. That is, older individuals are not viewed as desir... more Older age is often associated with asexuality. That is, older individuals are not viewed as desiring of sex, nor as sexually desirable to others. Broader social and cultural norms that downplay women's sexual desire and agency further compound these phenomena. Whether this popular image accurately reflects older women's sexual desires, behaviour and capacity to experience pleasure is unclear. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 43 partnered Australian women aged 55–81, this article considers women's sexual experiences and desires in older age. The findings of our research confirm that older women's experiences of sex and sexual desire are diverse and fluid. Some of the factors that influenced participants’ sexual behaviour and desire will be considered in this article, as will their understandings of what “counts” as sexual satisfaction and “successful sex”. The factors affecting sexual behaviour and desire also influence the way in which women are able to negotiate sexual interaction with their partners. Participants expressed a need for education and resources in order to gain greater control and to make autonomous choices over their sexual experiences, desire and ability to give and receive pleasure. The implications of these findings for practitioners are also considered.
This article reproduces and discusses a series of blog posts posted by academics in anticipation ... more This article reproduces and discusses a series of blog posts posted by academics in anticipation of the report on commercialisation, sexualisation and childhood, ‘Letting Children Be Children’ by Reg Bailey for the UK Department of Education in June 2011. The article discusses the difficulty of ‘translating’ scholarly work for the public in a context where ‘impact’ is increasingly important and the challenges that academics face in finding new ways of speaking about sex in public.
This book describes the first national study on female-to-male (FtM) transgender people’s experie... more This book describes the first national study on female-to-male (FtM) transgender people’s experiences in Australia. This extensive study fills the current gap in Australian research on the specific experiences and beliefs about transition for contemporary Australian FtM transgender people. Following an overview of current literature on the various aspects of and approaches to transgender issues, this book describes in detail the design, participants and findings of the study. It offers useful statistics and stories related to participants' identities, education, health, sexual and social lives. It ends with recommendations to all those working in the various offices and institutions that FtM transgender people encounter in their everyday life, and represents and invaluable resource for researchers, service providers and gender diverse communities alike
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