Hodson's Argument Regarding The Existence Of Asexuality

Asexuality, in the simplest terms, is the lack of sexual attraction. It is a sexual orientation that those who do not experience sexual attraction identify themselves with. The idea of someone not wanting to have sex or not having sexual attraction towards another in a “sex-obsessed” world has stirred up a controversy. The main argument regarding asexuality is the validation of it, whether or not it exists. Some people see it as more of a disorder or a phase. It is difficult for them to comprehend the idea of an intimate relationship without sexual desire. And then there are those who strongly believe in asexuality, regarding it as real as any other sexual orientation. Both sides provide a convincing case regarding the existence of asexuality
Some people believe that asexuality is a myth, an “imaginary” sexuality coined by those who aren’t comfortable identifying with their “true” sexuality. Those who do identify as asexual tend to be shot down by these people. Simply stated by Dr. Gordon Hodson, “By deviating from the typical, average, or normal sexual interests, sexual minorities are considered substandard and thus easy targets for disdain and prejudice.” (Hodson). Up until 1948, the Kinsey scale aided the claim of the nonexistence of asexuality. The Kinsey scale put to terms is an official scale describing a person’s sexual experience to further pinpoint their sexuality. And up until 1948, asexuality had not even been a consideration of this scale. This supports the claims that asexuality is simply a modern term concocted by those not wanting to fit into the already designated scale. And while some do accept the term, they do so for an entirely different reason, believing it to be some type of disorder. It is known that “‘Hypoactive sexual desire’ is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (Westphal) It is considered a disorder for those who are in distress because of their lack of sexual attraction. However, what it does not cover are those who are happy and healthy despite their sexual
Asexuality, through research and countless accounts, has proven to be a very real sexuality and should be considered as valid as any other. The reason for a sort of hesitation towards those who think that they may fit in the asexual spectrum are the anticipated negative responses. But, as people learn to be more accepting, they may find that asexuals are not as uncommon as one would initially believe. I see a future of asexual education, teaching it more in schools and in daily life, and bringing a new awareness to the forgotten