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If you are a passionate person who’s very into intimacy and sex, you probably can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like for people to experience zero sexual attraction, in other words Asexual. Well, that’s actually a thing, so it’s time to dive into the very interesting world of what it means to be asexual.

Do They, or Don’t They?

The idea of experiencing sexual attraction or not is way more complicated than it seems. It’s true that some people who have identified themselves as being asexual basically have no disease to get physically close, yet they still feel attracted to other people. The difference is that they don’t feel the need to get physical and would much rather express this attraction in different ways.  People may not be sexually attracted to other people, but they can desire a romantic relationship with someone, or feel an emotional connection. 

There are some asexual people that are still drawn to others physically but under limited circumstances. People who are demisexual, for instance, can feel attracted to someone physically only after having formed an emotional bond. 

It is wrong to assume that every person who is asexual experiences no desire. There are still asexual people that masturbate because their sex drive is still in there. However, plenty of asexuals will accept engaging in intercourse for other reasons, such as wanting to please their partner or because they know that this is a “socially accepted” way of showing your love and affection. And there are even asexual people who have sex just for the foreplay and the after-cuddles.

Is Asexuality Similar to Celibacy?

Being asexual does not mean you are abstinent, it just means that you don’t feel the need to have sex to express your emotion towards a certain someone. There are people who believe that being asexual is similar to being abstinent or celibate. The latter two are lifestyle choices, the former one isn’t. 

Asexuality isn’t something with a cause, so there’s nothing to “cure”. Being asexual isn’t a medical problem, and it’s something as natural as being homosexual, for example. There is no proof of asexuality being genetic, so there’s nothing wrong with people that don’t need sex to express their attraction towards a certain someone.

Common Myths about Asexuality

People tend to judge things they don’t understand and asexuality happens to be one of them. Some of the most common lies or misconceptions that people have on the topic are:

  • Asexuals only date other asexuals. That’s absolutely false. It’s true that asexual and non-asexual people who are in a relationship might have to compromise at times, but their relationship is, by no means, impossible. 
  • Asexuality is a mental disorder. This has not been proven scientifically, as people who are asexual don’t really have a traumatic past or a disorder that leads to their lack of interest in intercourse.
  • Asexuals are afraid of intimacy. It’s true that people who are asexual aren’t necessarily interested in sex, but they do want to be romantically involved with other people.

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