Averse vs. Repulsed?

[WinterWanderer]

Hey, so I need clarification on what the words "averse" and "repulsed" mean, and whether they're two separate things.

I always thought that being "sex-averse" means that you're opposed to having sex, whereas "sex-repulsed" is like a step up, where the very thought of yourself having sex disgusts you. So if that's how it works, someone can be averse to having sex, but not completely repulsed by it.

Is that right? Or are they the same thing?

(And to clarify, people who are sex-repulsed aren't necessarily anti-sex, right? They don't necessarily mind if other people have sex, they're just personally repulsed by the idea of having it themselves? Because I've seen sex-repulsed and anti-sex used interchangeably, here on AVEN and on other sites, even though they're different things.)

[Snao Cone]

That's pretty much correct. Sex averse is more like "Nope, never, do not ask me again" and sex repulsed is like "I'm disgusted by that and it's triggering to think about."

You're correct that sex repulsed is not anti-sex. Anti-sex is more of a principle than a personal reaction.

[goldensun]

Sex repulsed people is different from sex aversed people because sex repulsed do not like the idea of taking part in the act of sex and possibly anything to do with the act as they find it gross or disgusting. Whereas sex averse is the lesser view on sex..what I mean they don't get repulsed but either they don't care for it or desire it but it's OK. But I maybe wrong with the sex averse definition

[sindi]

Whereas sex averse is the lesser view on sex..what I mean they don't get repulsed but either they don't care for it or desire it but it's OK. But I maybe wrong with the sex averse definition

I'd say that it's wrong. I'm by no means repulsed by sex in itself, but I simply don't ever want to have it, so I think that would make me sex averse. I haven't checked the definition anywhere, but "averse" usually doesn't mean that you're OK with it...

[HeidiUK]

That's pretty much correct. Sex averse is more like "Nope, never, do not ask me again" and sex repulsed is like "I'm disgusted by that and it's triggering to think about."

You're correct that sex repulsed is not anti-sex. Anti-sex is more of a principle than a personal reaction.

I see averse as against it, not necessarily repulsed (but that's the extreme end of it).

Why would anyone be anti-sex outside of their own body? (e.g. for the whole society?)

[Member54880]

Hey, so I need clarification on what the words "averse" and "repulsed" mean, and whether they're two separate things.

I always thought that being "sex-averse" means that you're opposed to having sex, whereas "sex-repulsed" is like a step up, where the very thought of yourself having sex disgusts you. So if that's how it works, someone can be averse to having sex, but not completely repulsed by it.

Is that right? Or are they the same thing?

(And to clarify, people who are sex-repulsed aren't necessarily anti-sex, right? They don't necessarily mind if other people have sex, they're just personally repulsed by the idea of having it themselves? Because I've seen sex-repulsed and anti-sex used interchangeably, here on AVEN and on other sites, even though they're different things.)

I've been wondering what the difference is too. Some people use them interchangeably, but "repulsed" is the more commonly used of the two. Some say one indicates a stronger degree of not wanting sex, but one I'm used to is repulsion being the physical repulsion towards sex, and aversion being a psychological aversion to it. I don't know if anyone else here makes that distinction though, and I'm not claiming it's the correct one, just the one I've seen that I understand.

It's also possible for someone can personally dislike sex, but think it's good if others have it, or not care one way or another.

[sindi]

Well, I couldn't care less if others have sex, so I don't like the implications of the word "repulsed" - that I would find sex altogether repulsive. But I also definitely don't want to insinuate, that I might possibly be OK with having sex myself.

[Amedot]

I call myself sex repulsed because, well, I am... but my feeling of repulsion has fluctuated over the course of my life, to the point of just being sexually averse, or even sexually apathetic, or even wanting to have sex specifically to please a partner... IDK. I think repulsion towards sex is a spectrum like anything else, and it's up to individuals to choose which words describe them best :)

[WinterWanderer]

That's pretty much correct. Sex averse is more like "Nope, never, do not ask me again" and sex repulsed is like "I'm disgusted by that and it's triggering to think about."

You're correct that sex repulsed is not anti-sex. Anti-sex is more of a principle than a personal reaction.

I see averse as against it, not necessarily repulsed (but that's the extreme end of it).

Why would anyone be anti-sex outside of their own body? (e.g. for the whole society?)

Anti-sex people don't like sex fundamentally, could be for a variety of reasons.

I've met anti-sexual people here who would prefer that no one ever had sex, and that everyone used alternative methods of conception. That's a very extreme position, though.

Usually anti-sex people here are more inclined to argue that sex should not be represented in the media at all, because they'd rather not see/hear about it.

Idk, I feel like I'm stepping on people's toes by trying to generalize it. I don't want to offend anyone, so correct me if I'm wrong on anything. :)

[HeidiUK]

and it's up to individuals to choose which words describe them best :)

^^This.

[Guest]

Well, I couldn't care less if others have sex, so I don't like the implications of the word "repulsed" - that I would find sex altogether repulsive. But I also definitely don't want to insinuate, that I might possibly be OK with having sex myself.

I use "sex repulsed" as in I have a physical disgust reaction of thinking of myself engaged in sexual activities. As long as it's consensual, I don't care what other people do.

Others may use the term in a different way though, but when I identify myself as something, I only use it as a term to reflect what I do in my own life. :)