The purpose of this study was to examine elderly people's sex life and their attitudes toward sex and thereupon, analyze the conditions of their sex life depending on their demographic and financial variables, the influence of their perceived sex over their satisfaction with sex and the correlations between their satisfaction with sex and that with life.

For this purpose, this study used literature review and empirical research in parallel. First, domestic and foreign literature and preceding studies were extensively reviewed, while various statistics, data published by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Families, other government publications and on-line data were checked, to examine the conditions of elderly people's sex life. Then, a questionnaire survey was conducted for the elderly people aged 60 or older and living in 'S' district in Seoul.

The results of this study can be summarized as follows;

First, the importance of the sex life for the elderly people scored 3.52 on average, a higher one than the normal level.

Second, elderly people's perception of the sex life scored 3.17 on average, a higher one than the normal level. Differences of such perception were statistically significant only depending on health condition and monthly pocket money.

Third, elderly people's satisfaction with their sex life scored 2.98, a lower level than the normal one. Differences were statistically significant depending on marital status, health condition, religious status, family status, housing type, financial condition, major income source, monthly pocket money and job status.

Fourth, elderly people's satisfaction with life scored 3.19 on average, a higher level than the normal one. Differences were statistically significant depending on health condition, academic background, monthly pocket money, past and current jobs.

Fifth, as a result of analyzing the correlation between elderly people's perception of sex life and their satisfaction with sex life or ordinary life, it was found that their perception of sex life affected their satisfaction with sex life significantly (correlation coefficient: .519), and that their satisfaction with sex life was positively correlated with their satisfaction with life (correlation coefficient : .349). In contrast, their perception of sex life was not correlated with their satisfaction with life.

Sixth, it was found that the more positively the elderly people perceived their sex life, they were more satisfied with their sex life.

Seventh, the more they were satisfied with their sex life, they were more satisfied with their life.

Based on the above findings, the following suggestions are put forwards to help the elderly people informed correctly of the sex life and have them cultivate a desirable attitude toward sex;

First, the elderly people should be appropriately informed of sex.

Second, the subjects of the elderly people's sex education programs should be expanded.

Third, special counselling organizations should be established more with their professional manpower trained more.

Fourth, the single elderly people should be given opportunities for dating or remarriage.

Fifth, the elderly people should be encouraged to perceive the sex affirmatively.

Sixth, the most urgent task to help the elderly people fulfill their sexual desire, enjoy their sex life freely and depart from their vintage of sex and thereby, live a richer life is to solicit the public understanding of elderly people's sex life and form a public consensus for elderly people's right of sex.