Taking sexual relationship as its own thing, separate from romantic relationship (i.e. separating the sexual and romantic aspects), what is the difference between a friendship and a romantic relationship? What differentiates them, exactly?
Taking sexual relationship as its own thing, separate from romantic relationship (i.e. separating the sexual and romantic aspects), what is the difference between a friendship and a romantic relationship? What differentiates them, exactly?
I can’t think of a romantic realtionship where sexual is not a part of it. Without it it becomes much like a family loving relationship. siblings, parent/child, just a good friend. Basically anything where you care about someone else. their wellbeing. on a regular basis.
Some people are asexual but not aromantic, and some people can’t have sex due to medical issues, so there are plenty of people out there who separate these! A lot of folks do experience them as entangled experiences, and that’s fine too. What’s important is finding what parts work for you, and a partner that is compatible with that if applicable.
I guess it sorta depends on what counts as non sexual. If they could have sex would they? Is there kissing and canoodling like with virgins at the start of relationships. I would call all those sexual just not actively so. Its like potentially sexual.
I’m ace. Kissing and some cuddling makes me very uncomfortable, because it often leads to sex. There have been times that I thought I was sharing a sweet kiss with someone and suddenly they’re trying to slide hands under my clothes. So in my mind that was a romantic kiss, but to the other person it was sexual. This is why it’s so important for people like me to fully discuss things before we start dating someone.
There are different types of ace, you’ll see some aces say they are sex-favorable. That means they don’t feel sexually attracted to anyone, but they will engage in sex. On the opposite side of the spectrum is sex-repulsed. That’s me, I feel absolutely disgusted by sex.
That makes sense but there is again sibling, parent/child kiss and sexual kissing. I would be curious about what you think of kissing wise. Like making out tongue kissing versus peck on the cheek or just lip touching. Similarly a familial hug of reassurance vs canoodling type grabby hugging. I guess in the end if (in my opinion) you would not do it with your parent or sibling then I view it as sexual (the thing you would not do) and if you would do it I view it as non sexual.
My view is that there are shades of gray between kissing family and kissing with the intent to have sex. To me there is distinction between a kiss shared during a date and one that is shared as you’re stumbling towards a bed with a partner. One is an “I love you” kiss (romantic) and the other is “let’s fuck now” (sexual).
If I give my wife a non sexual peck on the lips or cheek or she gives me one it feels like one with a parent. I love you but not I want to fuck or be fucked. I just don’t really see a difference between familial love in that way. I just can’t imagine what a non sexual kiss would be that I would feel wierd about if it was another family member.