Though many asexuals experience and share common feelings regarding their own self-identification, claiming the title of being an asexual is not limited to a specific or set notion of why or how a person develops an understanding of their sexual orientation. Rather, as Mark Carrigan discusses in his dissertation, “There’s More to Life than Sex? Difference And Commonality Within the Asexual Community”, those who identify as asexual express a wide range of explanations and reasons as to why they fit into this distinct category of sexual orientation. Though they all share, “little or no sexual attraction to males or females,” (Carrigan 403) they express different stances on why they do not need or seek out sex or have sexual attractions. For many …show more content…
With that in mind, there are some asexuals who came to realize there, “sense of difference” among there peer groups who did frequently express sexual desires (Carrigan 408). What these asexuals “sensed” was that they lacked the ability to think in that way. In other words, these asexuals develop their sexual orientation due to their uninterested perspective on sexual matters (Carrigan 405). With all of this being said, such asexuals may still experience aesthetic (physical), romantic, emotional, intellectual attraction and can have sex with a partner if they are in a committed relationship (Carrigan 406). It is important to mention though that many come to the conclusion of asexuality as a response to prioritizing the platonic (Carrigan 406). Asexuals who do so (aromantics), do not experience any attraction on any level, “and do not pursue any romantic relationships [rather, they may] prefer to maintain close friendships” (Carrigan 406). Another category of asexuals would be the individuals who have an aversion to sex and are disgusted by the idea of having sex (Carrigan …show more content…
Such asexuals probably do not seek out romantic relationships either. Now, another aspect of asexuality that Carrigan discusses is how sexual orientation relates to pathology. I mentioned earlier that the practice of sex or expressing sexual desires presents itself as a normalized and almost expected aspect of society. This idea can present many problems for asexuals who then may feel that their sexual orientation is inherently wrong and that it can or should be fixed medically. This is emphasized in one of Carrigan’s interviewee's whos asexual status made them feel “less of a person [and] somehow broken” (Carrigan 410). Subsequently, having these feelings may result in an asexual individual wanting or seeking ways to fix their “brokenness.” Like one interviewee who underwent therapy, blood tests, prescriptions to enhance testosterone and progesterone to fix their sexuality (Carrigan 410). Overall though, this sense of abnormality may cause some asexuals to resent the very idea that makes them who they are, and instead of accepting themselves, they may view their sexual orientation as a pathological illness or disease that can be reversed by medical