When someone has explained their sexuality to you, have they ever mentioned that they were aromantic? You may find that this has often fallen in line with the asexual spectrum.
Aromantic means that you don’t experience romantic attraction; if they do, it’s minimal.
Asexuals are often confused with aromantics as they have little or no interest in sex, and many people struggle to understand the difference between romantic and sexual attraction.
Defining Aromantic
Being aromantic means that you don’t experience romantic attraction, or if you do, it’s minimal. In many cases, being aromantic means that you can enjoy life without having a need or desire for a romantic partner.
While many associate aromantic as part of the asexuality label, you can use it to describe anyone of any sexuality with no or limited romantic attraction.
Many aromantics can enjoy life through the strong friendships that they have built. In many cases, they still have sexual partners. They just don’t experience romantic love, even if they experience platonic love.
Aromantics may not care for romance in the media and may not find the idea appealing. Not caring for romance in the media doesn’t mean you’re aromantic.
Some may not develop crushes or understand why people behave as they do when they fall in love. They’ll avoid situations associated with romance.
Aromantics And Queerplatonic Relationships
Queerplatonic relationships are neither sexual nor romantic but are considered more than friendship. These relationships have the same emotional capacity typically considered for a romantic relationship.
Overall, they contain more intimacy and commitment than platonic friendships. Due to this, they are popularly found in aromantic and asexual communities.
The Aromantic Spectrum
There are several labels under the aromantic umbrella, so aromantic may use these terms to describe themselves. But they may just say they’re aro if they just want to keep it straight to someone who doesn’t understand.
Aromantic
Aromantic is often shortened to aro and describes someone who doesn’t experience or has very little romantic attraction. They may still experience intimate relationships, but not in a romantic manner.
Aegoromantic
Aegoromantics are those who enjoy the concept of romance but don’t particularly care for a romantic relationship themselves. They may partake in shipping in fandoms and having romantic fantasies but otherwise have no interest in real-life romance.
Apothiromantic
Apothiromantics are those who are repulsed by the notion of romantic attraction.
Aroflux
Aroflux is an identity where someone experiences their romantic orientation fluctuating as they either experience no romantic attraction or a lot.
Autoromantic
Autoromantics are those who may want to be romantic with themselves. They won’t desire romantic relationships or activities from others.
Bellusromantic
Bellusromantic is when someone has a conventional interest in romance but has no desire for a relationship.
Cupioromantic
Cupioromantics don’t experience romantic attraction but want a romantic relationship.
Demiromantic
Demiromantics are those who don’t experience romantic attraction until they form a solid emotional bond with someone.
Desinoromantic
Desinoromantics don’t experience complete romantic attraction but may experience liking someone. After this, the interest doesn’t go anywhere.
Frayromantic
Frayromantics only experience romantic attraction to those they don’t have a solid emotional bond with. They are typically seen as the opposite of demiromantic.
Grayromantic
Grayromantics are those who feel very little romantic attraction and only experience it under specific conditions.
Lithromantic
Lithromantics are those who experience romantic attraction but don’t want to feel it reciprocated. In theory, they may enjoy it. But when it is returned, the interest fades.
Quoiromantic
Quoiromantic is when someone is not romantically categorizable and is unsure about the concept of romantic attraction. They may be unable to tell the difference between romantic and platonic attraction.
Recipromantic
Recipromantics only experience romantic attraction if they know the other person reciprocates those feelings.
Misconceptions About Aromanticism
There are some misconceptions about how aromanticism works. In this section, I will delve into some misconceptions about aromanticism and correct a few of these ideas.
Aromantic People Don’t Have Emotions
Some people believe that aromantic people are cold and robotic, but this is far from the truth. Aromantic people don’t suddenly lose their emotions because they aren’t romantically attracted to people.
They typically still feel joy and enjoy spending time with other people.
Aromantics Can’t Love Others
Aromantic people can still love other people, but not in a romantic manner. They can still love their friends, family, and partners. People confuse romantic love as the most critical type, but platonic love can be just as important.
Aromantics Are Stand-Offish
Everyone has different reactions to being touched or not by other people. This isn’t just for one romantic or sexual orientation. When it comes to aromantics, they may enjoy physical intimacy or hate it.
It all comes down to personal preference.
Aros Are Ace And Aces Are Aros
Many people believe that by being aromantic, they are asexual by default. It’s also why many asexuals are considered not to want romantic partners. However, these identities are not interchangeable.
While some aros are ace, there is a majority who aren’t.
Aromantics Are Lonely And Waiting For The Right Person
There’s an idea in the media that everyone needs to find the right person, and if they don’t, they’ll die alone.
Due to misconceptions about aros, it’s assumed that they’ll never be happy if they don’t have a romantic partner. Despite this, many experience platonic relationships and queerplatonic relationships.
Final Thoughts
Aros don’t feel romantic attraction, nor do they need to, to experience a happy and fulfilling life. Many people are unaware that romantic love is not more important than any other type of love.
They also can still have sexual relationships even if they aren’t romantic, as aromanticism is not to be confused with asexuality.
However, everyone experiences aromanticism differently, so not everyone’s experience will be the same. Some will still experience some attraction or be curious about it, while others may not.
Aromanticism is an umbrella and should be seen as such.
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