The Asexual Visibility and Education Network defines an asexual as 'someone who does not experience sexual attraction' and stated, 'nother small minority will think of themselves as asexual for a brief period of time while exploring and questioning their own sexuality' and that 'here is no litmus test to determine if someone is asexual. Self-identification as asexual may also be a determining factor. Researchers generally define asexuality as the lack of sexual attraction or the lack of sexual interest, but their definitions vary they may use the term 'to refer to individuals with low or absent sexual desire or attractions, low or absent sexual behaviors, exclusively romantic non-sexual partnerships, or a combination of both absent sexual desires and behaviors'. Because there is significant variation among people who identify as asexual, asexuality can encompass broad definitions. Īsexuality is sometimes called ace (a phonetic shortening of 'asexual' ), while the community is sometimes called the ace community, by researchers or asexuals. The most prolific and well-known of these communities is the Asexual Visibility and Education Network, which was founded in 2001 by David Jay. Various asexual communities have started to form since the impact of the Internet and social media in the mid-1990s. Asexual individuals may represent about one percent of the population. While some researchers assert that asexuality is a sexual orientation, other researchers disagree. Īcceptance of asexuality as a sexual orientation and field of scientific research is still relatively new, as a growing body of research from both sociological and psychological perspectives has begun to develop. Some asexual people engage in sexual activity despite lacking sexual attraction or a desire for sex, for a number of reasons, such as a desire to physically pleasure themselves or romantic partners, or a desire to have children. Sexual orientation, unlike sexual behavior, is believed to be 'enduring'. Īsexuality is distinct from abstention from sexual activity and from celibacy, which are behavioral and generally motivated by factors such as an individual's personal, social, or religious beliefs.

It may also be categorized more widely, to include a broad spectrum of asexual sub-identities.

It may be considered a sexual orientation or the lack thereof. Asexuality is the lack of sexual attraction to others, or low or absent interest in or desire for sexual activity.

Sexual tor definition