Is she alone as a sexaphobe?

DEAR AMY: I am a 20-year-old woman. I've never had a boyfriend, although I considered dating a good friend who expressed interest in me in high school. I told him I wanted to go out with him but I wanted to wait until after graduation. He then started to try to hold my hand when we sat next to each other. This weirded me out. There's just something about the physical part of a relationship that scares me. I think I may be asexual. I do experience sexual attraction, but it's something I'm afraid of. I've never been sexually abused. It's just the way I am. I yearn for companionship, but I'm afraid that if I date someone, I will be expected to be physical. My ideal relationship would be to go to dinner and a movie; talk about our hopes, dreams and fears; but never have sex. Is that normal? Are there other people like me?Sexaphobe

DEAR SEXAPHOBE: There are plenty of people like you - but unless you courageously face down your fears, you will remain stuck in this uncomfortable and fearful state.

There could be myriad reasons you feel the way you do. The best way to cope with this is to talk about it with a professional therapist, who could guide you compassionately through your doubts and fears.

DEAR AMY: A high school athlete wrote to you about her coach making her shave. I am a female college student who doesn't shave her legs. Most men have understood. Women are my fiercest adversaries. My grandmother threatened to shave my legs while I slept and my sister offered to hold me down. A "friend" attempted to pay me $50 a leg to shave. I was a four-year varsity starter for my high school's soccer team. I was designated captain in my senior year. Never once did I consider shaving my legs.No Shave

DEAR NO: Shaving your legs should be a personal choice not dictated by anyone else.