For the last post, I’m going to look at asexual representation, in society and in the media.

This whole blog has been rather difficult to write, due to lack of resources about asexuality. I have been rather limited on sources that are factual and have reliable information. While there are plenty of sources out there about homosexuality, bisexuality, and heterosexuality, there is very little about asexuality.

First off, there is a lack of asexual representation in scientific studies.  Looking on websites such as PubMed for studies, there is a limited selection that discusses asexuality throughout the lifespan. There are also difficulties when it comes to creating and testing studies regarding asexuals and asexuality.  One article wrote that “Difficulties arise when asexual participants are inconsistent in their self-identification as asexual” (Chasin, 2011).  It continues on to say that “Arguments are considered in favor of exploring diversity within the asexual population, particularly with respect to gender and romantic orientation…” (Chasin, 2011).

Current asexual studies are also not as diverse when it comes to participants.  In terms of self-identifying asexuals, more of them are female than male.  Only one study has been done on asexuality and arousal, and the participants were female.  What was concluded from the study was that “…asexual women are just as capable of physiological arousal as non-asexual women, and that asexual women were healthily aware of what was going on in their bodies” (Asexual Awareness Week).  If asexuality was researched more, and utilized a more diverse subject pool in terms of gender and sexual/romantic orientation, then we could learn a lot more about asexuality as a whole from a scientific perspective.

Another issue when it comes to asexual representation is in the media.  There are lots of characters in fiction that are suspected to be asexual, but there are not many that are actually stated as asexual.  Examples of characters that are asexual/suspected to be asexual include Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes Mysteries/BBC Sherlock), Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit), Dexter (Dexter), Ariadne (Inception), Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory), and the Doctor (Doctor Who) (AVEN Wiki).  Many of them show asexual tendencies, such as not being interested in romantic and/or sexual gestures. Some of the list on the AVEN Wiki have actually come out as asexual or the creator has labeled them as asexual.  However, there are problems in terms of representation.  Some people feel that asexual characters are “boring” or “not fun”, which is not entirely true about asexuals.  There are also the stereotypes of asexuals that people who are not informed about asexuality feel, such as asexuals being “inhuman” or “robotic”.  Also, since sex and relationships are such huge parts of the media today, a person who does not want sex or a relationship may be seen as completely different from “normal” people. Media, especially TV shows, books, and movies, should focus on adding in characters from the asexual spectrum, so as to show that it is okay to not be sexually attracted to other people.

Overall, while asexuality is a topic that not many people know about or discuss, it is important to learn about it. Society should learn and accept that in this world where sex and relationships are the norm, that there are those who do not think the same. Asexuals are still people, and asexuality is a real and valid orientation.  Hopefully, we can raise awareness about asexuality so that asexuals do not feel alone or broken in this world.

References

Chasin (2011) article: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10508-011-9757-x/fulltext.html

Asexual Awareness Week: http://asexualawarenessweek.com/asexuality-101/

AVEN Wiki: http://www.asexuality.org/wiki/index.php?title=Asexuality_in_fiction