THE PHASES OF MARRIAGE: PHASE THREE
This lasts from about the age of fifty until the death of one of the partners. It is usually a phase of togetherness and increasing satisfaction. The couple have no fear of pregnancy and their sex lives often improve. Unfortunately, some older couples still feel that sex is for the young and so do not enjoy sex nearly as much or as often as they could. Thankfully things are changing in the right direction as far as this is concerned. It is worth taking care not to lose the habit of intercourse if one partner has to go into hospital or is ill for a long period. It is also interesting to see that evidence suggests that an active sex life is linked to a long life. People of this age often have grandchildren who bring pleasure with few responsibilities (a rare combination in life) and no longer have to worry about being competitive at work. The man will have got as far as he is going to and is either settled in his career or is running up to or already in retirement.
In the good man-woman relationship this attachment grows, particularly at times of stress when the couple think about each other, want to be with each other, communicate distress to each other, and are comforted by one another. The bond that forms between long-married couples can be formidable. They tend to think along the same lines and seem to be ‘one body’ as described in the Bible.
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