I liked this movie and thought the acting was great and the story uplifting, but it seems unrealistic to address Temple's life and not deal with her sexuality. We never get any clue to her orientation. Surely she's not an asexual intellectual.
What's the deal?
Well, she didn't like to be touched by other people, so that kind of makes sex difficult. There are people that live a celibate life and are o.k. with it. It's hard for others to understand but it does happen. Or, the folks who made the movie didn't think it was relevant to the story or anyone's business.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
I cannot speak as an expert on how autism and sexuality are related (or arent) but as for Temples sexuality being addressed in the movie that scene that comes to mind is of when she comes home from the farm after buying her pickup truck dressed as a man she turns the channel from a romantic scene from what we as viewers assume doesn't interest her. To say that she "surely isnt asexual" is a sweeping statement. Infact it is quite possible she is asexual. Especially considering the scene when she first gets to college and is questioned about her squeeze machine giving her "release" and how she "touches herself" it is clear she was answering literally with no connotations to sexual references.
shareI was also curious to know if she ever had a love life.
shareSurely she's not an asexual intellectual.Actually, that's pretty much exactly what she is.
Interesting. That is certainly fine with me (although I hope my own autistic daughter gives me grandkids, I will admit). But I do think it should have been addressed in the movie, with at least a quick line the one you mentioned from her interview.
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Why?
It had nothing to do with the movie and it's none of our business.
Certainly it has to do with the movie, because the movie is about Temple Grandin. And it's not just about her professional work, but about her personal life in a variety of ways. There are all kinds of things in there, involving her relationship with her mother and aunt and so on, that she could have decided were "none of our business", but she told her story. Once you do that, the whole story becomes our business.
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I thought it was addressed in a pretty obvious way by how she behaves. Do you really need things spelled out for you? Do you really need it explained with exposition?
shareSome people with asperger's or autism don't really have an interest in relationships, some don't like sex because of the sensory issues, others like it because they are very sensual. Some aren't interested in relationships because people are confusing. Also, some may not be emotionally ready for it until they are older. I have asperger's and didn't start dating until I was 26.
Have you talked to your Doctor about the movies you watch? -My Grandma
At first, I wondered what kind of question this was. Then, curiosity got me. And it is a valid question. I assume sexuality is a foreign concept to her. Plus the sensory issues.
And reading this, it reminds me of Big Bang's Sheldon. His mind works differently than most, and he's mostly asexual. The issues that may occupy us - sex, sports, drinking - aren't in his sphere. His mind is of a higher order. He would assume it better, but most would think he's sadly missing out. Thank goodness we have both types! And it's a shame how easily his type is mocked and picked on, especially growing up.
A friend's aunt is mostly 'normal'. Growing up in the 50's, she always had a good job and made very good money. She lived with relatives and never dated (we assume). She has a niece who is an exec, making $400k. We're not sure if she dates, either. They are both workaholics, who don't care much for romance - tho they are social. Unlike Temple or Sheldon, you wouldn't notice anything differently about them.
Unless you tried flirting. I once read about a study. A lady did her thesis dressing as a bag lady, a drunk, wealthy, a MAN. Even in a bar, she was accepted as a man. The one thing she couldn't do - pick up a woman. She didn't have the background, and had no clue. She could act 'manly', but whatever women pick up on - she didn't have it. Even when they assumed she was a man. Very interesting.
She has publicly stated that she has no interest in sex, never has, and doesn't have any experience of sexual attraction to another person. So yes, she probably would meet criteria for asexuality. That's not a consequence of autism -- more people than you would expect are the same way. It's a function of hormones more than anything else.
shareSome women have sensuality and interest in sex, but because they don't have a necessary level of attractiveness to ever be asked out on even one initial date in their lives they resign themselves to never expect any sex life at all. They may lie about the way they feel about sex and their real desires and give up trying and hoping.
shareThat's true, but there are also numerous people, of both genders, who are fundamentally asexual. They have little or no sexual drive, and thus are neither heterosexual or homosexual. There is an emerging activist movement to raise awareness and support for asexual individuals.
Here's an article from TIME reviewing a book on the topic:
http://time.com/2889469/asexual-orientation/
and another from Wired:
http://www.wired.com/2015/02/demisexuality/
The subject is receiving more serious academic and scientific research interest in recent years but still has a long way to go.
Temple Grandin herself self-identifies as asexual, and there is no reason to dispute her self-assessment. any more than there is to dispute some other individual's self-identification as "straight" or "gay." Our culture is so saturated with sexuality that it's difficult to believe there are people who genuinely have no interest, but they do exist, and are not rare or defective.
I have a vague intrest in women but I think its the fantasy of being normal because I dont like relationships or personal contact.
share