Push-Button Pleasure

For some men and women, the thought of sex in any position other than missionary is a completely foreign concept. However, a growing number of ThirdAgers are looking beyond books for alternative bedroom pleasures. Many boomers searching for a new trick or a nighttime toy are getting good vibes from Good Vibrations, the Web site based on the 20+ year old retail store.

Joni Blank, now in her late 60s, created the store as a place for men and women to shop comfortably for sex toys. "We provide comfortable, non-sleazy shopping focused on good customer service," says Dr. Carol Queen, sexologist and director of continuing employee information for Good Vibrations. "Both our store and our site are really focused on education. For the shy customer, there is a lot of information built into the site, sexual response issues that answer questions. It's not necessary to know what you want when you visit us."

Over the years, Good Vibrations has seen customers continue to shop through different stages in their life. "In our last survey, which was quite some time ago, the greatest demographic block of customers was 30-45," Queen says. "And it's safe to presume that many of those people have stayed customers. We notice a wide age range patronize Good Vibes, specifically baby boomers and beyond. Women and men over 40 have told friends about us." Queen adds that although the baby boom generation was born in the gadget age, most ThirdAgers went through formative years during the sexual revolution. More so than previous generations occupying this particular age range, Queen feels strongly that baby boomers are intensely aware about keeping sexual energy alive and well.