This chapter presents data from dyadic phenomenological research that explored asexuals and their partners’ experiences in relationships. The research study explored the following research questions: (a) What are the lived experiences of couples where one or both individuals identify on the asexual spectrum? (b) How do these couples define intimacy? (c) What are the experiences of these couples that can be applied to the practice of marriage and family therapy or to better understand relationships overall? Interview data from nine couples (18 individuals) is presented to describe relationship formation, intimacy, commitment, and unique challenges that couples experience when one or more partners identify as asexual. Findings include ways that participants describe their relationships through deconstruction of social scripts around relationships and how intimacy is defined. I present key directions for clinical work with asexuals and their partners that can be applied to clinical relationship work more generally.

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Asexuality, Intimate Relationships, and Family

  • Valerie Q. Glass

摘要

This chapter presents data from dyadic phenomenological research that explored asexuals and their partners’ experiences in relationships. The research study explored the following research questions: (a) What are the lived experiences of couples where one or both individuals identify on the asexual spectrum? (b) How do these couples define intimacy? (c) What are the experiences of these couples that can be applied to the practice of marriage and family therapy or to better understand relationships overall? Interview data from nine couples (18 individuals) is presented to describe relationship formation, intimacy, commitment, and unique challenges that couples experience when one or more partners identify as asexual. Findings include ways that participants describe their relationships through deconstruction of social scripts around relationships and how intimacy is defined. I present key directions for clinical work with asexuals and their partners that can be applied to clinical relationship work more generally.