I was watching something on National Geographic the other day and something about asexuals came up. I was a bit intrigued, but they did not go into as much detail as I wanted. I figured that sense we have a good group of discussioners (just made that word up), then we could all learn something.
What is Asexuality?
Wikipedia says: Asexuality describes individuals who do not experience sexual attraction and is considered by some to be a sexual orientation.[1] Asexuality as a human sexual orientation has only been recognized and defined in a few academic studies since the late 1970s, and a community of self-identified asexuals has only coalesced since the start of the 21st century, aided by the widening popularity of online communities.[1] One commonly cited study placed the incidence rate of asexuality at 1%.[2] Asexuality is not the same as celibacy, which is the deliberate abstention from sexual activity; many asexuals do have sex,[3] and most celibates are not asexual.
How does this fit into the Kinsey Sexuality Scale?
Alfred Kinsey was aware of an asexual element in the population but did little to investigate it. His Kinsey scale of sexual orientation consisted of a single axis lying between heterosexuality and homosexuality with bisexuality in between, and thus left no place for asexuality. In the Kinsey Reports of 1948 and 1953, subjects were scaled from 0 (completely heterosexual) to 6 (completely homosexual), but a separate category of X was created for those with "no socio-sexual contacts or reactions".[4][5] He labeled 1.5% of the adult male population as "X"
Questions
1. Is asexuality even real? I am skeptical. I don't see how one could be asexual given the hormones we all have.
2. Do you think it is purely sexual or does it involve romantic notions?
3. Given that it is real and does exist, could it be a result of a trauma?
4. Would you classify this as a mental disorder given the fact that their body has the right hormones, etc?
MR - I'm aware of that. Should I ever suddenly find myself in a position where I desire sexual intercourse, I'm in the belief that my body would 'erform' so to speak. It is indeed nice to be unburdened by thoughts and desires of sex though.
There is a personal question I'd like to ask you. Please don't feel you need to answer. Have you attempted any sexual stimulation? Whether it be with a partner or yourself?
To me, there is no single explanation for asexuality. It could be attributed to what Mage posted, what Walker has said, fear, anxiety, etc. Sexuality is sooooo complex. You may not have encountered what you're attracted to, as well.
If we keep the terminology medical, then this is nothing but a medical discussion. But we do need to be careful.
Okay, so we've broken down a wall. You do have the ability to climax. So, for this particular case it could be psychological and/or biological like Walker is saying.
You know, I watched a show on asexuality. It followed 12 asexuals. 4 of them ended up in a relationship together, after the show.
They ended up being physical with each other. Two males, two females. They must've connected on the asexuality in some way, or they were truly not asexual.
He created a symbol for asexuals! You know, homosexuals, we have a symbol. Asexuals have a symbols. The heterosexuals do not. What gives?
I'm going to guess because heterosexuality is a majority, and that mainstream society deems this as "normal". It's usually the minorities that create organizations to better have a voice. I haven't found a heterosexuality organization or a white Caucasian association, but I could be wrong. Chances are more prevalent that these are in Indiana lol
I think Freakenstein has hit the nail on the head so to speak. Minorities create groups and symbols and mottos and the such to better gather together and be heard. The majority tends not to fly under such a banner. Anyway, isn't this used for heteroseuxality:
