- Definition
Someone who is asexual experiences little to no sexual attraction to others, though they can still feel emotional or romantic connections.
Someone who is asexual might want a deep, romantic partnership with someone but not feel a desire for a sexual relationship with them.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Asexuality can be like how some people love listening to music and feeling the emotion in it, but don't feel the urge to dance along.
Ask your child: What are different ways people can feel close to someone?
Common mix-up: Many people confuse asexuality with celibacy, which is a choice. Asexuality is about not feeling sexual attraction, and it doesn't mean a person can't feel love or have a romantic relationship.
Examples
- An asexual person might not develop crushes based on sexual feelings, the way they see their peers doing.
- Another asexual person might feel sexual attraction very rarely or only after forming a deep emotional bond.
asexual is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
