Angela Chen, author of Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex, explores the experiences of asexual individuals, challenges societal views, and discusses navigating intimacy and societal pressure in a sexed-up world.
Asexuals may still engage in sexual activities and enjoy them, challenging misconceptions that asexual people don't want or hate sex.
Understanding and respecting diverse forms of attraction and relationship preferences is crucial in creating an inclusive society.
Deep dives
Asexuality: Exploring the Spectrum of Experiences
Asexuality is a diverse identity that encompasses different experiences. Some asexuals never feel sexual attraction, while others may experience it occasionally. The prevalence of asexuality is difficult to determine accurately due to societal misconceptions and low participation in studies by those uninterested in sex. Understanding asexuality challenges the notion that sexual attraction is essential for a fulfilling life. Asexuality is often misunderstood, with assumptions that asexual people don't want sex or hate it, when in reality, some asexual individuals still engage in sexual activities and enjoy them. Asexuality highlights the need to redefine and challenge compulsory sexuality, which imposes the idea that all adults should experience sexual attraction.
Challenges of Identifying as Asexual
Many asexual individuals face challenges and feelings of brokenness due to not conforming to societal norms around sex and relationships. Discovering and accepting one's asexuality can be a relief, as it provides a sense of belonging and community. However, asexual people may struggle with navigating a world that is primarily focused on romantic partnerships and lacks support for those who are single. Asexuals' experiences are varied, and some may also identify as aromantic, experiencing no romantic attraction. Overall, acknowledging and respecting diverse forms of attraction and relationship preferences is crucial in creating an inclusive society.
Demisexuality and Understanding Emotional Connection
Demisexuality is a label that describes individuals who only experience sexual attraction after developing a deep emotional connection. Some demisexual individuals may not feel a random or instant sexual attraction to strangers. Understanding demisexuality challenges traditional notions of attraction and highlights the importance of emotional connections in developing sexual desire. For demisexual individuals, forming a deep bond with a partner is crucial before experiencing sexual attraction. Providing visibility and support for demisexual individuals can help dispel shame and misconceptions surrounding their experiences.
In a world obsessed with sex, what if you never (or rarely) want it? Yumi Stynes meets women from across the asexuality spectrum to find out how they navigate dating and relationships in a sexed-up world.
Featured in the episode: Angela Chen, author of Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex
Resources: https://www.australianasexuals.com/
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