What is asexuality?
Asexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by a lack of sexual attraction to others. People who identify as asexual may experience little to no sexual desire or attraction towards anyone else. They can feel romantic love without necessarily experiencing sexual desire or attraction. In contrast, people who identify as aromantic do not experience romantic love. Some people identify as both asexual and aromantic.
Existential consequences
The existence of asexuality poses existential challenges to the meaning-making process. One's identity is often tied to one's sexual orientation, which includes how they perceive themselves and their place in society.
Being heterosexual can mean feeling like part of the majority, whereas being homosexual means being different from it.
For an asexual person, there is no obvious way to fit into this binary system. This creates a sense of isolation and invisibility that affects personal meaning-making and identity coherence.
Personal meaning-making
Meaning-making refers to the process by which individuals create a framework for understanding the world around them. It involves interpreting events and experiences through the lens of preexisting beliefs and values. The absence of sexual desire can make it difficult for asexuals to find meaning in life. They may feel like something is missing without any way to fill it. This can lead to feelings of emptiness, loneliness, and depression.
Identity coherence
Identity coherence refers to the degree to which an individual's self-concept aligns with their behavior and perceptions. Asexuality can undermine this alignment because it makes it difficult for others to understand what kind of person you are based on your behavior alone. You might appear "normal" but still lack the internal motivations that drive most people. This can lead to confusion and misunderstanding from others, further compounding the problem.
Asexuality poses existential challenges to personal meaning-making and identity coherence. People who identify as asexual struggle to find meaning in life and fit into society because they do not experience sexual attraction or desire. This can lead to feelings of isolation, invisibility, and confusion. Addressing these issues requires acknowledging the unique needs and perspectives of asexual individuals.
What are the existential consequences of asexual invisibility on personal meaning-making and identity coherence?
Asexuality is an orientation that involves experiencing little to no sexual attraction toward other people. Research has suggested that individuals who identify as asexual may experience challenges with self-acceptance, intimacy, and relationships due to their lack of interest in sexual activities (Hill & Hill).