The Asexual Male Experience: A Phenomenological Inquiry

Authors

Donna M. Mandigo, Capella UniversityFollow
Louis F. Kavar, Capella University

Abstract

This article offers a phenomenological investigation into the experience of asexuality for self-identified asexual, cisgender men. No other study has been previously conducted on this phenomenon; the present study sought to provide new knowledge surrounding the experience of male asexuality and to illuminate any potential differences in the asexual experience between asexual men and asexual women for further conversation. A qualitative analysis of data derived from 8 asexual adult men between 30 and 65 years of age via semi-structured interviews provided detail-rich insight into the inner processes, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors of asexual men. Five major themes arose to comprise the essence of the asexual male experience: (1) emotional response, (2) feeling otherness, (3) process of discovery, (4) a sense of belonging, and (5) adapting split attraction models. Discussion includes context of the emergent themes through a Rogerian lens and the shared commonalities between the emerging asexual identity for asexual men and other marginalized sexual orientation groups.

Keywords

asexual, sexual orientation, asexual male, qualitative research, phenomenology

Author Bio(s)

Dr. Donna Marie Mandigo is a recent Capella University doctoral graduate whose research interests lie in human sexuality, including asexuality. She is currently an elopement and wedding photographer living in upstate New York. Please direct correspondence to D.Marie.Mandigo@gmail.com.

Louis F. Kavar, Ph.D., is lead faculty member for qualitative research in the Department of Psychology, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Capella University.

Acknowledgements

This paper was written using a doctoral dissertation as its premise. The author completed the research in partial requirement to satisfy Capella University’s criteria to earn a doctoral degree.

Publication Date

2-16-2022

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2022.5213

Recommended APA Citation

Mandigo, D. M., & Kavar, L. F. (2022). The Asexual Male Experience: A Phenomenological Inquiry. The Qualitative Report, 27(2), 488-508. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2022.5213