Childline - asexuality

28 replies

Pobblenotoes · 25/10/2022 23:21

Just scrolling on insta, came across this https://www.instagram.com/p/CkGsDe1O8R_/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=where it explains asexuality as having little or no sexual attraction to others. Forgive me, but aren't children naturally asexual? I realise childline supports young people, not just young children. But there's just so much of this pushing sex and sexuality on children these days, it feels like childline is joining in. To give a child a label to run with as asexual seems bizarre. But hey, I'm just a mum. Interested to hear what people think of childline's stance. Is it helpful or part of the toxic web?

OP posts:

grey12 · 29/10/2022 08:50

@Sonervousimgonnathrowup but not wanting sex as a young child shouldn't be seen as unusual 🤷🏻‍♀️ I most definitely wasn't interested in it until maybe 18/19. And that definitely does not make me assexual.

The problem with labelling a child as "assexual" is that the label sticks. And then the young adult will be confused by their relationships and experiences.

It is best to say that it's ok to not want sex 🤷🏻‍♀️ and to say "no" and have that "no" being respected. AND if that person continues to not want sex throughout some years, relationships, experiences THEN they will come to self-identify as assexual.

latetothefisting · 29/10/2022 09:07

Thelnebriati · 27/10/2022 17:28

I think the key thing is to assume the volunteer is trained or sensible enough to moderate the advice they given depending on the age of the child
Right - but in this case the advice is being given on their main Instagram account, not in a one to one counselling session.

We have somehow created a society where children need a get out label such as 'asexuality'. How did that happen.

But Instagram requires individuals to be at least 13 to be able to sign up. So doesn't that support my point that childline IS focusing advice age appropriately i.e. in this instance at teenagers?

(Obviously I know that younger people can access it I'm not naive, but Instagram is clearly targeted at teens and young adults so childline is using it appropriately, it's not like they're "advertising" asexuality in the ad breaks for Peppa pig!)

Sonervousimgonnathrowup · 29/10/2022 14:05

@grey12
Labels don’t stick.
And there’s only one s in asexual.
You were unusually late to be interested in sex, it’s good for young people to know there are options, and that they are not freaks if they don’t FEEL SEXUAL ATTRACTION (that’s btw what asexuality mean, it’s not just not having sex).

And then the young adult will be confused by their relationships and experiences.

Tbf, even old adult who have been sexually attracted to other and had sex and relationships seem utterly confused about relationships😆. So I don’t really see what’s to worry.

Anyway, I know your mind is clearly made up with that bringing some knowledge to younger people that could help some of them is bad, but I’m really clad that there is more information out there these days.

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