Asexuality Sexual Orientation

Asexuality As a Sexual Orientation

Asexuality is defined as the lack of sexual attraction to others. Asexuals compose of about 1% of the population and are the select few in a sex-crazed world where sexual orientation often contributes to a person’s sense of identity. The defining of the term "asexual" as a "lack of sexual attraction for others" has partly emerged from theories of sexual orientation. Due to its definition, many view asexuality as an overall repulsion to sex, lacking the attraction necessary to be classified as an orientation. Asexuality, however, has not conformed to the two most widely used models of sexual orientation - one being Storm's two-dimensional model and the other being Kinsley's traditional one-dimensional model.

There is insufficient evidence proving that asexuality is a disorder/dysfunction because with a disorder, effects such as significant personal distress and interpersonal difficulties are felt, unlike with asexuality. For example, people with issues such as erectile dysfunction suffer a loss of self esteem, while asexuals do not feel any negative effects from lacking a sexual attraction. “Asexuals are mainly not worried about their asexuality, except for the disapproval it may provoke from others, and they are uninterested in seeking professional help to deal with it” (Brotto 4). This disapproval may include societal responses, such as the exclusion and non-acceptance from even the LGBT community - a community reputable for supporting one’s own personal preferences - due to the beliefs that asexuality is not an orientation nor do asexuals receive the oppression that many in the community do. In some studies, asexuals report higher rates of distress and symptoms such as anxiety. Available evidence suggests this is actually a result of prejudice and discrimination against asexuals and may also be a result of autism, which asexual women have a slightly higher chance of having. It is not, however, an indication of any underlying psychological disturbance. Asexuality does not appear to be a function of sexual arousal difficulties or traumatic sexual

It is no different than being homosexual or heterosexual. It is the same way a straight person is not attracted to people of the same gender, or a gay person is not attracted to people of the opposite gender. There is not a special feeling involved; it is part of your identity. If asexuality can be argued as a disorder or dysfunction, other orientations can, too, based on the perception of the person analyzing. While much more research on the origin of asexuality is needed, it seems clear from the accumulated body of evidence so far that asexuality is not the result of a medical issue, sexual arousal problem, or fear of sex. Instead, asexuality appears to be just another natural variation in human sexuality, not a sexual dysfunction. By the definitions revolving sexual orientation/preference and the research gyrating around asexuality, there is no reason as to why it should not be considered a unique classification of sexual orientation. In addition to this, it is important to keep in mind that just because people are different or have different preferences, that does not always mean that something must be wrong. In conclusion, there is adequate scientific research to prove that asexuality is not a disorder or dysfunction and is able to be classified as a sexual