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'Involuntarily celibate' is a valid academic sociological term popularized in the Donnelly study, referring to people who would like to have a sexual or romantic partner but cannot find one for six months or more. The perdiod of time to determine when one can be considered an involuntarily celibate was chosen by [[Denise Donnelly]] as six months, as that factored in that some sexually active people go [[Dry spell|weeks without sex]], and people start to worry about their sex lives after a certain period longer than that period. | 'Involuntarily celibate' is a valid academic sociological term popularized in the Donnelly study, referring to people who would like to have a sexual or romantic partner but cannot find one for six months or more. The perdiod of time to determine when one can be considered an involuntarily celibate was chosen by [[Denise Donnelly]] as six months, as that factored in that some sexually active people go [[Dry spell|weeks without sex]], and people start to worry about their sex lives after a certain period longer than that period. | ||
==The study== | ==The study== | ||
The questionnaire for the study was filled out by 60 men and 22 women who identified as involuntarily celibate. Findings showed that involuntary celibates may come from broad sexual and personal backgrounds. Three categories were developed: virgins were those who had never had sex, singles had sex in the past but were unable to establish current sexual relationships, and those with romantic partners, but were currently in sexless relationships (which included 28% of respondents). | The questionnaire for the study was filled out by 60 [[men]] and 22 [[women]] who identified as involuntarily celibate. Findings showed that involuntary celibates may come from broad sexual and personal backgrounds. Three categories were developed: [[virgins]] were those who had never had sex, singles had sex in the past but were unable to establish current sexual relationships, and those with romantic partners, but were currently in [[sexless]] [[relationships]] (which included 28% of respondents). | ||
Of the virgin involuntary celibates, 76% were male, and 24% were female. Men in the study reported they felt trapped by being stuck in the role of the initiator of dates, while the women in the study reported that they felt like they should not initiate romantic or sexual encounters. | Of the virgin involuntary celibates, 76% were male, and 24% were female. Men in the study reported they felt trapped by being stuck in the role of the initiator of [[dates]], while the women in the study reported that they felt like they should not initiate romantic or sexual encounters. | ||
Overall, 35% of respondents felt dissatisfied, frustrated, or angry about their lack of sexual relationships regardless of their current partnership status. Most involuntary celibates appeared to feel despair, depression, frustration and a loss of confidence. | Overall, 35% of respondents felt dissatisfied, frustrated, or angry about their lack of sexual relationships regardless of their current partnership status. Most involuntary celibates appeared to feel despair, depression, frustration and a loss of [[confidence]]. | ||
The study also found grounding for a common incel concern - that as sexual and relationship milestones are missed, it becomes harder and harder to achieve normality going forward. Many felt that their sexual development had somehow stalled in an earlier stage of life, leading them to feel different from their peers and | The study also found grounding for a common incel concern - that as [[sexual]] and [[relationship]] milestones are missed, it becomes harder and harder to achieve normality going forward. Many felt that their sexual development had somehow stalled in an earlier stage of life, leading them to feel different from their peers and that they will never catch up. | ||
==Involuntary celibacy is now a valid academic sociological term== | ==Involuntary celibacy is now a valid academic sociological term== | ||
While the Donnelly study's sample size was small, the study has been cited 62 times in scholarly literature, including an encyclopedia about family life, a peer-reviewed sociology journal, and various books by accredited sociologists and an accredited anthropologist, giving the term "involuntary celibacy" academic legitimacy, at least as a sociological term describing a real-life circumstance. | While the Donnelly study's sample size was small, the study has been cited 62 times in scholarly literature, including an encyclopedia about family life, a peer-reviewed sociology journal, and various books by accredited sociologists and an accredited anthropologist, giving the term "involuntary celibacy" academic legitimacy, at least as a sociological term describing a real-life circumstance. | ||