These are the most common misconceptions about asexuality

Asexuality is something I actually know far too little about. I also find the term quite vague, because what does it really imply? Not feeling sexually attracted to others? Never wanting sex? There are quite a few misconceptions about this orientation, which has relatively little research done on it. According to a study by The Williams Institute from 2004, about one percent of the population is asexual. I can imagine that asexual people go completely crazy from questions or assumptions that stem from pure ignorance.

That is why I am sharing the most common misconceptions about asexuality below.

‘Asexual people do not experience sexual feelings’

Someone who is asexual does not feel sexual attraction to other people, but that does not mean that the body cannot experience sexual feelings. This also explains why some asexual people do masturbate, but then without sexual fantasies about another person. Asexuality does not mean a lack of libido.

‘Asexual people cannot have sex’

That asexual people do not like to have sex with someone does not mean that they cannot have sex. Moreover, there are plenty of asexual people who still have sex. For example, a number of asexual people tell Vice that they do this to please their partner or to start a family.

‘Asexuality is a condition’

Asexuality is an orientation and therefore not a condition. Scientists do not yet know exactly why there are people who do not feel sexually attracted to others. However, according to sexologist Peter Leusink, studies have been conducted on asexuality that show that asexuality is innate, the hormones of asexual people are not abnormal and sexual abuse and/or depression does not occur more frequently among asexual people than among non-asexual people.

‘Asexuality is a gender identity’

Gender identity is the gender to which someone identifies. Gender refers to the characteristics, behaviors, and role patterns that society has determined for each sex. Not experiencing sexual attraction does not belong here. Questions like: ‘isn't it just a phase?’ make no sense.

‘Asexual people cannot fall in love’

Asexual people can indeed fall in love. The lack of sexual attraction does not mean a lack of love. There are also asexual people who enter into relationships or even marry. An asexual person can feel romantically attracted to another. Aaron, a 25-year-old asexual man from West Virginia, describes his relationship like this: ‘I can look into my girlfriend's eyes and feel the same warmth that anyone else experiences in a happy relationship, but I just never have the urge to pounce on her.’