The term asexual can be interpreted a couple ways

[grimfang999]

I noticed people here still trying to pin asexual to one definition, though I had the realisation that the term itself is somewhat ambiguous and can be literally defined in at keast two ways:

Asexual (Noun)

1. (Orientation) Having no innate sexual attraction toward any sex or gender.

2. (Physiology) Opposite of sexual. Lacking, or simply not having, the drive to engage in sexual activity. Not to be confused with, though potentially related to in some individuals, hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

Are there any definitions that I missed? I know that, as an identity, it can encompass a number of different meanings for different people, but are there other interpretations? Are there terms, or should there be terms, to more precisely indicate which use of asexual we are referring to?

[God of the Forest]

You and whoever else is "trying to pin asexual to one definition" seem to be confusing libido with asexuality. Libido is what you are describing as "(Physiology) Opposite of sexual. Lacking, or simply not having, the drive to engage in sexual activity". Asexuals can and often do have a "sex drive" which means we can get aroused, masturbate, watch porn, and even have sex. All asexuality is defined as is "a person who does not experience sexual attraction" or "lack of desire for partnered sex" this simply means some of us are capable of sexual arousal (we still have sex organs, we aren't eunuchs), we just prefer to take care of it ourselves, if at all.

[Star Bit]

Asexuals do not have sex-drives, they have libidos. Sex-drive obviously says the word s-e-x and masturbation isn't that. The two are only listed as synonyms because to most (sexual) people they are.

[Ricki]

Asexuals do not have sex-drives, they have libidos. Sex-drive obviously says the word s-e-x and masturbation isn't that. The two are only listed as synonyms because to most (sexual) people they are.

Well seeing as libido means 'Sexual Desire' then clearly no asexual can have a libido by your logic...

[Star Bit]

No, sexual desire can refer to two (or more) things, although it's normally used on one; sex. People can have the sexual desire to masturbate. People can have the sexual desire to enact a fetish. The word sexual is broad and problematic unless it's intentionally being used in all its possible ways. Libido factually refers to masturbation and sex; according to the creator of the word; Sigmund Freud. And every dictionary defines it as "sexual desire", so who knows in what way they're using the word. You also have to remember that most sexual people don't realize the difference and that the phrasing is made for sexual people. But if they do all mean it in the way the phrase is typically used, then yes, asexuals cannot have libidos (and there's no word for the singular desire to masturbate). The Webster dictionary is the only one that states it differently and blatantly spells it out as a desire for sex only. The word itself literally means a few things but basically adds up to desire and not specifically sex.

[Ricki]

No, sexual desire can refer to two (or more) things, although it's normally used on one; sex. People can have the sexual desire to masturbate. People can have the sexual desire to enact a fetish. The word sexual is broad and problematic unless it's intentionally being used in all its possible ways. Libido factually refers to masturbation and sex; according to the creator of the word; Sigmund Freud. And every dictionary defines it as "sexual desire", so who knows in what way they're using the word. You also have to remember that most sexual people don't realize the difference and that the phrasing is made for sexual people. But if they do all mean it in the way the phrase it typically used, then yes, asexuals cannot have libidos (and there's not word for the singular desire to masturbate). The Webster dictionary is the only one that states it differently and blatantly spells it out as a desire for sex only. The word itself literally means a few things but basically adds up to desire and not specifically sex.

Oh I genuinely 100% do not care about definitions. just the fact that you say it has the word 's-e-x', making whatever point you're trying to make (not reading) redundant xD Im just joke-pointing-out. Chillax yo. You can state all the definitions as loudly as you like to my face and I still will not care what you're telling me. (Also you should take what Freud says with a pinch of salt anyway).

[God of the Forest]

X

[Éadweard]

There have always been many interpretations of asexual. The young people on here think they created the word, but they didn't. The word has been around a very long time and has been used as an adjective for years. No one owns the word asexual and people will continue to use it many ways whether you like it or not. The word DOES NOT only refer to an identity of people on this website.

[Star Bit]

*face palm* You didnt read a word i said did you? I said libido and sex-drive are listed as synonyms (and listed why). I said asexuals masturbate. I do not have things confused. And on AVEN the two are commonly made distinctively different, as were the words when they were originally created. I am doing no such thing like saying aces are drasticly different from sexuals.

And Ricchan's rudeness was completely unnecessary. If you don't want to read a long comment you don't have to; no need to flip me off about it.

[Sally]

Asexual = someone who does not want sex with another person.

Libido doesn't matter. "Sex drive" doesn't matter. With another person matters.

And Ricchan, if you don't care about definitions, what are you on this thread for?

[grimfang999]

In all honestly I mainly just made this because the realisation that the word itself can mean two completely different things just by changing the emphasis absolutely fascinated me, I just love the subtleties of language sometimes.

[Ricki]

Asexual = someone who does not want sex with another person.

Libido doesn't matter. "Sex drive" doesn't matter. With another person matters.

And Ricchan, if you don't care about definitions, what are you on this thread for?

I read topic names that look like they could have an interesting point behind them, and I replied to poke fun at the the argument of the (lack of the) use of the word 'sex' makes libido a different thing. Clearly it's different but not because of what the word says. I don't care about the definitions of sexuality, so are you telling me that makes my undeserved of using your precious holy AVEN site which you like to spend hours upon hours taking things too seriously? I pray for your forgiveness oh might Sally.

And Ricchan's rudeness was completely unnecessary. If you don't want to read a long comment you don't have to; no need to flip me off about it.

And im in no way being rude, only "'avin' a giggle". If you want to interpret it as rude then knock yourself out, but I say things as a joke, not to offend people. If you're allowed to express your opinions on here then I'm allowed to express mine don't get all arsey when someone says something you don't like xD

[Philip027]

Regarding the whole masturbation subject:

As far as I'm concerned, if someone is regularly driven to masturbate (regularly meaning, it's not just like some once-off "for SCIENCE" thing) I consider that synonymous with a sex drive. (I don't feel splitting hairs between libido and sex drive is very useful because I guarantee you 99% of people out there are going to see them as being the same thing anyway)

When you get down to it, masturbation is a simulation of sex. It stimulates the sexual organs; usually the goal of it is to provoke a sexual response. Trying to remove the whole SEX association with it seems just plain silly to me.