Is it normal for everyone to feel love and desire? Romantic love and sexual attraction are assumed to be universal. However for some, these feelings are unfamiliar or even entirely absent. How much do you reallyknow about aromanticism and asexuality? .....Ed
Sexual orientations such as gay, lesbian, and bisexual have become more visible in recent years. But what about asexuality and aromanticism? For many, these terms remain unfamiliar, as they challenge the belief that romantic love and sexual attraction are universal. Yet, asexual and aromantic people are not emotionless; they experience feelings and friendships, simply in different ways.
To begin with, it is important to clarify the difference between romantic and sexual attraction. Romantic attraction is the desire to form an emotional bond, while sexual attraction is physical or biological. Most people are both romantic and sexual, whether heterosexual or homosexual. Asexual and aromantic individuals, however, experience attraction differently—or not at all.
Asexuality means experiencing little or no sexual attraction. Aromanticism means little or no romantic attraction. These are orientations—not choices or disorders. Nevertheless, misconceptions persist: ‘You are just inexperienced’, ‘You will change when you meet the right person’, or even, ‘Were you traumatised as a child?’ Others trivialize these identities, saying they can be ‘fixed’ or pity their partners as miserable. These misconceptions are not only false but also harmful, reinforcing stigma against asexual and aromantic individuals. Asexuality and aromanticism are valid orientations, not phases or symptoms. A person’s worth does not depend on sexual or romantic attraction.
Asexuality and aromanticism exist on a spectrum. Alloromantic asexual experiences romantic attraction but not sexual attraction. Aromantic allosexual feels sexual attraction but not romantic attraction. Aromantic asexual experiences neither romantic nor sexual attraction.
Do these identities mean avoiding relationships or physical affection altogether? Not necessarily. Some asexual people choose platonic partnerships, while others accept physical intimacy for their partner’s happiness, even without feeling sexual desire themselves. Similarly, some aromantic individuals maintain strong, loving friendships or other non-romantic bonds.
Despite the diversity within these orientations, asexuality and aromanticism remain largely invisible. To change this, Asexual Awareness Week is observed internationally during the last full week of October, and from 19 to 25 October this year. The campaign aims to raise awareness, challenge misconceptions, and broaden society’s understanding of human connection. Asexual and aromantic identities remind us that love and desire do not fit a single mold. By recognising these experiences, we take a step toward a more inclusive world, the one that embraces every shade of the human spectrum.
Kim Ichelle (ST Reporter)
ichellekim@soongsil.ac.kr
