["Young love is from earth--mature love is from heaven" (Turkish proverb). Attitudes to sexuality in old age].

The prevailing attitudes towards sexuality in old age are described in a rather phenomenological analysis: sexuality ends corresponding to the termination of reproductiveness; sexual needs in old age appear to be pathological; the elderly's sexual acts are disgusting. Empirical findings corroborate those conclusions. The situation is explained by societal circumstances, by the learning histories, and by the living conditions in old age. Examples of agreement with sexuality in old age demonstrate the often idle potentialities which are hidden in this sector of life.