Allonormativity

Allonormativity is the concept that all humans experience sexual attraction and romantic attraction. It is the force which upholds compulsory sexuality, the social systems and structures which privilege or incentivize sexual relationships over single individuals.^[1][2]

The term could be considered an expansion of heteronormativity, the idea that heterosexuality is the default or normative sexuality. The term is often used when discussing the pathologization,^[3] erasure,^[4] and dehumanization^[5] of asexual and aromantic individuals in society, media, and within academic discourses.

Etymology

Allonormativity was derived from allosexual, which in turn was derived from the Greek prefix allo-, meaning different or other, and -sexual, i.e., attraction directed towards a target outside the self. The second element, -normativity, refers to the societal worldview which deems allosexuality as normal or desired.

Effects

Allonormativity, by its definition, denies the existence of asexual identity in humans. Thus, growing up in an allonormative society may lead to asexual individuals feeling broken or isolated prior to or even after learning about asexuality.^[4][6] Because allonormativity presents asexuality as deviant, it also contributes to the pathologization of and discrimination against asexual people.^[7][8]

See also

• Amatonormativity
• Compulsory heterosexuality
• Heteronormativity

References

1. Hart-Brinson, Peter; Tlachac, M. L.; Lepien, Emily (2023-06-27). "Contradictions in Experiences of Compulsory Sexuality and Pathways to Asexual Citizenship". Sexuality & Culture. doi:10.1007/s12119-023-10110-1. ISSN 1936-4822.
2. Brandley, Ben; Spencer, Leland G. (2023-01-01). "Rhetorics of Allonormativity: The Case of Asexual Latter-day Saints". Southern Communication Journal. 88 (1): 1–15. doi:10.1080/1041794X.2022.2108891. ISSN 1041-794X.
3. Schneckenburger, Stella A.; Tam, Michelle W. Y.; Ross, Lori E. (2023-06-06). "Asexual competent practices in healthcare: A narrative review". Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health: 1–21. doi:10.1080/19359705.2023.2214528. ISSN 1935-9705.
4. Mollet, Amanda L. (2020). ""I Have a Lot of Feelings, Just None in the Genitalia Region": A Grounded Theory of Asexual College Students' Identity Journeys". Journal of College Student Development. 61 (2): 189–206. doi:10.1353/csd.2020.0017. ISSN 1543-3382.
5. Brandley, Ben; Dehnert, Marco (2023-03-17). ""I am not a Robot, I am Asexual": A Qualitative Critique of Allonormative Discourses of Ace and Aro Folks as Robots, Aliens, Monsters". Journal of Homosexuality: 1–24. doi:10.1080/00918369.2023.2185092. ISSN 0091-8369.
6. Kelleher, Sinéad; Murphy, Mike (2022-06-22). "Asexual identity development and internalisation: a thematic analysis". Sexual and Relationship Therapy: 1–29. doi:10.1080/14681994.2022.2091127. ISSN 1468-1994.
7. Decker, Julia Sondra (January 5, 2015). "Asexuality and the Health Professional". Psychology Today Canada. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
8. Steelman, Sarah M.; Hertlein, Katherine M. (2016-04-02). "Underexplored Identities: Attending to Asexuality in Therapeutic Contexts". Journal of Family Psychotherapy. 27 (2): 85–98. doi:10.1080/08975353.2016.1169014. ISSN 0897-5353.

Further reading

• Mollet, Amanda L.; Lackman, Brian. "Chapter 6 Allonormativity and Compulsory Sexuality". Encyclopedia of Queer Studies in Education. pp. 26–30.

External links

• The dictionary definition of allonormativity at Wiktionary