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?
He/she can be in love, as that is emotions, but is unable to feel a need for physical love/sex.
Surely sex is one of the key factors in falling in love? Of course having a relationship on an emotional level can form strong bonds but i would have thought i combination of the emotional and the physical is required to 'fall in love'. And like you said i doubt there are many people out there willing to have a relationship of this nature.
Surely sex is one of the key factors in falling in love?
The definition of love is extremely variable.
It seems odd that someone wouldn't feel any sexual attraction to humans but do to something else. Perhaps that is what bestiality stems from?
Common-sense does dictate that humans who are not sexually attracted to humans would be uncommon, but I wouldn't go from that to bestiality (or zoophilia for that matter). I mean, some people might rationalise that they prefer animals because they do not relate to people but to say this is the cause would be putting the cart before the horse. Not to mention those who are attracted to inanimate objects e.g. shoes, vinyl, for whatever reason.
While alien to the most of you, it is possible to completely lack a libido and therefore be 'asexual', particularly if one has lost certain functioning, as in alcoholic dementia, for example.
(I am not an expert on the subject butttt)Surely alcoholic dementia can be reversed by giving up drink, whereas as far as i understand asexuals can never gain a sex drive because it seems they are born with it.
That raises the question, is asexuality (in humans) there from birth or do people develop asexuality?
My guess on that one would be that people develop a sexuality, and asexuals are the ones who does not develope one...
People who are only interested in animal partners is called zoosexuals, btw. I think... It's been a while since I read it.
Surely sex is one of the key factors in falling in love? Of course having a relationship on an emotional level can form strong bonds but i would have thought i combination of the emotional and the physical is required to 'fall in love'. And like you said i doubt there are many people out there willing to have a relationship of this nature.
Depends on priorities, this.... The couple I live with rarely even sleep in the same room, but they do love each other, and want kids one day. They just don't have the need to sleep together.
And imo, sexual desire has very little to do with falling in love. To me it grows in a bit later. But that's just personal experience put out to comparison...
Personally it was about two years before I learned about asexual reproduction, after the point where I learned about asexuality... It is two different things.
Yea, I think that is where it confused me. Because I have only ever learned from it as applied to reproduction.
(I am not an expert on the subject butttt)Surely alcoholic dementia can be reversed by giving up drink, whereas as far as i understand asexuals can never gain a sex drive because it seems they are born with it.
I thought that alcoholic dementia was a permanent thing? You drink so much that it permanently damages your brain or body. But then again, I could be wrong as well. Also, it could be that there are some people who are born asexual, with no sex drive whatsoever. But I am sure there are people who also believe they might be asexual just because they have never felt sexual desire, not necessarily because they cannot feel it. So I am sure it goes both ways. People who can't actually feel sexual desire, and those that just haven't felt it yet.
I thought that alcoholic dementia was a permanent thing? You drink so much that it permanently damages your brain or body
I suppose that could be true aswell. It does make sense, they do say it kills your brain cells. We need someone who is knowledgeable on medicine, Strop?
Depends on priorities, this.... The couple I live with rarely even sleep in the same room, but they do love each other, and want kids one day. They just don't have the need to sleep together.
And imo, sexual desire has very little to do with falling in love. To me it grows in a bit later. But that's just personal experience put out to comparison...
I suppose different people have different preferences, i think age plays a factor too. Still I belive sex is a big factor in any serious relationship, which is why i belive asexuals would have difficulty maintaining one.
But I am sure there are people who also believe they might be asexual just because they have never felt sexual desire, not necessarily because they cannot feel it. So I am sure it goes both ways. People who can't actually feel sexual desire, and those that just haven't felt it yet.
I know a gay guy who used to claim he was asexual. I think he honestly believed he was, not having felt a desire at that point of his life (18ish, he was). He's still not all that interested in getting a partner, as far as I know he'd more like a companion... But yeah, two different things. As I said earlier, I believe sexuality is something you develop.
@woody: Could also just search the internet for information~ Alcoholic dementia?
I suppose different people have different preferences, i think age plays a factor too. Still I belive sex is a big factor in any serious relationship, which is why i belive asexuals would have difficulty maintaining one.
*believe (sorry, the red lines are bugging me) The triangular theory of love, ever heard about it? Sex goes under the Passion part. A relationship without any physical desire is categorized as 'companionate love' and is comparable to a very close friendship. Actually most very close friendships, where two friends admit to loving each other in the friendly way, is companionate love... So I guess it depends on what you would be willing to define as an actual relationship.
So I guess it depends on what you would be willing to define as an actual relationship.
For me i would find it very hard to belive an adult relationship can function normally without at least a little sex. And when i say relationship i mean a married couple or a bf/gf situation. Interesting how you mention the different types of love. In Greek there are 3 words for love, love a partner, love a friend and love of an object. It seems it would be far easier to articulate if this thread were in Greek.
Prehaps they are like, pardon my language, but the opposite of a text book sex offender, who can't control his/her sexual drives. And with asexuals, I beleive it's just the opposite feeling. Obviously there is no drive if this theory of asexuality is true.
[quote(I am not an expert on the subject butttt)Surely alcoholic dementia can be reversed by giving up drink, whereas as far as i understand asexuals can never gain a sex drive because it seems they are born with it.[/quote]
So Then Is It Like A Birth Defect As They Can Not Be Aroused Or Is It A Choice Of How To Live Their Life?
Sorry About the quote thing it didn't work :/ But here Is What I Was Trying To Quote
(I am not an expert on the subject butttt)Surely alcoholic dementia can be reversed by giving up drink, whereas as far as i understand asexuals can never gain a sex drive because it seems they are born with it.
So Then Is It Like A Birth Defect As They Can Not Be Aroused Or Is It A Choice Of How To Live Their Life?
It is NOT a choice. I do not really think it is a birth defect, as sexuality is formed in the teenage years (but of course, we cannot know).
Asexuality is not the same as celibacy, which is the abstention from sexual activity. Some asexuals do have sex, and most celibates are not asexual, or considered as such.
From wikipedia.
Sadly, there have been done little research on Asexuality.
I dont like to define normality because other factors like culture, age and religious beliefs come into it, but from my experience and people that i know, it seems that sex is normal. From a biological point of view it is a natural thing to do. But like i said other factors like religion ie sex before marriage or just personal preferences can affect this.
And, yay for different words for different loves. It's a thing I've wished we had in Danish as well...
P.S: Pretty please learn to remember the e in believe? It's irrelevant, but now it's in my eye. X_x *shot*
Trust me when learning the language at first it makes it far more difficult.
I dont like to define normality because other factors like culture, age and religious beliefs come into it, but from my experience and people that i know, it seems that sex is normal. From a biological point of view it is a natural thing to do. But like i said other factors like religion ie sex before marriage or just personal preferences can affect this.
It looks like you got my point, though. A "normal" relationship is pretty difficult to define, as the norm varies depending on a lot of things. But ya, wanting sex is a pretty common desire in western cultures... *dares not say it more broadly*
