And for the doubting Thomas’s in the comments stating that a) Kids won’t understand they’re asexual, b) Asexual is a new term and c) it’s wrong to even CONSIDER a 13 year old might be asexual, let me tell you a few things:-
a) Whilst any teenager might not “Know” they’re asexual, because they don’t know the term, and specifically about Will, the term wasn’t really around back then, we’ve already been told by Will himself he doesn’t think he’ll ever fall in love, and it’s implied he doesn’t like girls, and he’s fed up of all the romance happening with everyone else. If you can know your straight without needing the word to prove it, and gay without needing the word to prove it, why do we need him to use the term when he’s already suggested the concept? Like, his words sound like an age appropriate explanation of asexuality. Like, you can’t say “teenagers don’t KNOW if they’re asexual cos they’re not sexual beings” when the other teenagers of the same age, in the same show, are snogging each other’s faces off and wanting the door closed. It’s not sex, but it’s not exactly platonic, is it!?
Also you wouldn’t say that about gay people would you? Some gay people knew that they were gay when they were 3, why is it so different to think that asexual people knew by other means that they were asexual at a young teenage age? Some kids playing house, some kids having primary school boyfriends/girlfriends in that sweet way (Think Little Rascals with me here will you please?!) some kids looking at wedding obsessed poeple and, maybe one kid in that class is thinking “Nope, don’t want that! I’m growing up to live by myself with my dog!”. Like, these are the first signs for some people they were asexual, in real life, that they were expected to grow out of, and they never did. And it was brushed off by people saying They’d Change Their Mind When They Were Older.
2) Asexuality was a known concept since Kinsey’s study in the 1950s, but the term asexual wasn’t coined until the late 80s/early 90s. It’s been known as a few things. X was used in England during the 80s by some people who did sex and gender studies for uni, Non-sexual was an american version, some other unflattering terms to imply a social medical mental disorder. I’ve read a few sources about the history of asexuality pre AVEN, most linked by Swankivy, but this is a new one I’ve found
https://www.leoconnacht.com/wp/2019/02/asexuality-has-been-around-longer-than-you-think-a-peek-at-the-history-of-a-concept-and-a-word/
Which says it was a dutch magazine which founded the phrase, in 1991! So hey, back to Stranger Things: they’re resourceful kids, and we know Joyce will study anything to learn the answers to things bothering her. Maybe one of them goes to the library, finds everything they can on sexuality and learns the term and teaches it to Will.
3) Thirdly, I spent my teenage years saying “Yes I like boys BUT NOT LIKE THAT” and many asexuals spend their childhood and teenage years saying “No I don’t like ANYONE LIKE THAT” or “I like everyone BUT NOT LIKE THAT” and some might say “Hey I think I’m gay but without the sex, what is THAT?”. People aren’t thinking of teenagers having sex when we consider that Will might be asexual, we’re using the knowledge we had when WE were that age and seeing the similarities. The fact that it’s fine that people are suggesting he’s gay without the Same sort of implications just shows your opinion on asexuality, and it’s not good, and it’s honestly hurtful.
But also remember, there’s a lot of older people in their 50s and 60s now who are finding the term asexual and going “if only I’d known these words when I was younger” and “It all makes sense”, because of trying to fit into societies narrow boxes since they were children. So even though this is in reaction to a fictious character, the fact that is, your opinion on whether teenagers can Know they’re asexual could affect teenagers in your life. If they’re old enough to understand they can be gay, they’re old enough to understand they’re asexual, and they’ll need your support. Because if not they could spend 10+ years trying to fit into either straight, bi or gay boxes and waiting for it to click, and being miserable because it’s not clicking.
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