Becoming impossible: asexual narratives of identity, experience, and importance

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Heather Sunshine Mitchell (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Steve Kroll-Smith

Abstract: Our current society assumes that sexual attraction or desire is natural and experienced by all human beings; however, asexuality is beginning to challenge this assumption. The purpose of this Master’s thesis is to gain a better understanding of asexual identity through interviews regarding experience and importance of asexuality with 10 self-identified asexual individuals. Six themes emerged from the interviews: discovery of asexuality, importance of asexuality to the lived experience, identity labels, definitions of asexuality, lack of education on asexuality, and libido and the various types of attraction. Many of the issues discussed in the 6 themes related back to the lack of education regarding asexuality in society. Asexuality is still a relatively unknown sexual orientation. In addition, the ongoing debate over the definition of both asexuality and now sexual attraction reinforces the view of asexuality as an insecure sexual orientation. Finally, the conflation of all types of attraction into sexual attraction reduces awareness of the different attractions and relationship possibilities for individuals.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2016
Keywords
Asexual, Asexuality, Sexuality
Subjects
Asexuality (Sexual orientation)
Asexual people

Email this document to