Article has been checked for accuracy (content includes links to reputable media sites, academic research institutions, and occasionally medical studies). All content on our website has been reviewed, however, if you believe our content is inaccurate, out of date, or questionable, you may contact us to make the necessary corrections. 4 minutesAsexuality is a virtually invisible sexual orientation; furthermore, when it is visible, it is often poorly understood. In this article we are going to try to break down some myths and stigmas about it.
Written and verified by psychologist Elena Sanz.
Last update: January 20, 2022
In today's world, sex is given great importance. Not only is it seen by the majority of the population as a fundamental piece of affective relationships, but it is also considered a physiological need and even pervades a large part of the advertisements we receive.
For the same reason, those who do not experience sexual attraction are misunderstood, silenced and even rejected by society. In order to reverse this situation, we invite you to learn some interesting facts about asexuality.
This is called "invisible sexual orientation" because there is still a great lack of information about it. Not only ordinary people find it difficult to understand and validate this sexual identity, but also the field of research lacks sufficient studies in this regard.
Asexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by the absence of sexual desire or sexual attraction to other people. It is worth mentioning that this term refers to what the person feels or experiences (or in this case, does not) and not to the way they behave.
An asexual person can have relationships, but this does not imply that this desire appears. So, these are some curiosities about it.
1. Prevalence
Asexuality in the human species has always existed, in all times and cultures. However, it was not until the last century that it began to be considered as a category within models of sexuality. The term was first used in 1977, in a scientific article by Myra Johnson in which it was defined as the choice not to engage in sexual activity.
Currently, it is estimated that between 1% and 6% of the population could be included in the definition of asexuality; however, the figures vary depending on the definition taken.
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Both men and women can identify as asexual, and it has even been found that in this category there is greater gender diversity, including agender or bigender people, among others.
2. Sexual desire?
Contrary to what one might think, asexual people can experience sexual desire understood as arousal, but it is not directed towards any person in particular. For the same reason, they may not want to get involved in sexual activities with other individuals, but they do want to practice and enjoy masturbation.
3. Asexuality is a spectrum
Asexuality is considered to be an umbrella term, encompassing a very heterogeneous set of people. In this regard, the concept of graysexuality has emerged to exemplify this continuum that would encompass all intermediate positions between total asexuality and normative sexuality.
Thus, there may be people who do not want any kind of physical contact and others who do enjoy kissing, hugging and other interactions that do not involve sex. There may be people who practice masturbation and others who don't; It is even possible that some of them have sexual relations at certain times.
4. Romantic relationships
Although they do not feel sexual interest towards others, asexual people can fall in love, establish romantic relationships and enjoy their life as a couple normally. In fact, these two entities (sexual attraction and romantic attraction) are independent.
5. Asexuality is not a disorder
This is one of the most important facts about asexuality that we should all know, and that is that it is not a disorder. Asexuality is not sexual dysfunction nor is it the result of past trauma or bad experience.
It is also essential to differentiate it from celibacy or voluntary abstinence. The latter is a personal decision not to get involved in sexual encounters for different reasons despite the fact that there is attraction and desire. On the other hand, in asexuality there is no interest.
On the other hand, in asexuality sex is not conceived as something sinful, dirty or shameful; it does not arise from distorted beliefs nor is it related to limiting anxiety. Sex simply does not arouse interest.
Knowing the facts helps remove the stigma
In a hypersexualized world, it's hard to assume that there are people who don't consider sex to be at all relevant to their lives. For the same reason, asexuality carries stigma and misunderstanding.
Understanding the reality of this sexual orientation is essential in order not to pathologize low sexual desire and not try to force asexual people to fit into the normative canons.
It might interest you...Read it in The Mind is WonderfulAsexuality: I like you, but I'm not sexually attracted to youWhat happens if you don't feel sexually attracted to anyone? Perhaps you feel identified with asexuality, a type of sexual "non-orientation".