Aromanticism, asexuality, and relationship (non-)formation: How a-spec singles challenge romantic norms and reimagine family life

Abstract

In this study, I demonstrate how individuals on the aromantic and asexual spectrums navigate their sexual and intimate relationships. Through quantitative data analysis as well as interviews with aromantic and/or asexual singles, this study reveals the complexity of sexuality and intersections between sex, romance, and constructs of family. First, I highlight how alloromantic (non-aromantic) asexual singles are most likely to express interest in romantic relationships, followed by aromantic allosexual (non-asexual) singles, whereas aromantic asexual singles showed little interest in romantic relationships. Then, I focus on how aromantic and asexual spectrum interviewees (1) subvert expectations for normative sexual and romantic partnership, (2) untangle notions of sex, romance, and family, and (3) reimagine relationships and kinship to form their own intimacies.