Gendered morality in the sex toy market: Entitlements, reversals, and the irony of heterosexuality

Abstract

This article characterizes norms of sexual morality in the sex toy market, revealing a core contradiction in the morality of gendered heterosexuality. Taking a novel approach to the study of the sex industry, the study’s data focus on producers rather than consumers of sex toys. Sex toy professionals understand women as ideal users whose sexual desire and consumption are morally defensible. Not only do girl-power sex positivity discourses valorize women’s orgasms, but men’s sex toy use is disavowed and even openly reviled by producers. This seems to upend existing configurations of heterosexual privilege, which ordinarily benefit men’s sexual desire. However, the reversal reveals a shared moral feature of gendered heterosexuality, which privileges women as sexually purer than men, who are encumbered with tainting lasciviousness.

Unmet Need for Sexual Rehabilitation after Acquired Brain Injury (ABI): A Cross-Sectional Study Concerning Sexual Activity, Sexual Relationships, and Sexual Rehabilitation after ABI

“…Among all participants, many showed a positive attitude towards sexual aids: 28% had tried some and 11% were interested in trying. Women who had resumed sexual life, had tried sexual aids to a greater extent than men (52 vs 22%), which is in line with Ronen [19], Driemeyer [16], Hebernick [17] and Reece [18] et al's findings in general populations. It is worth mentioning that participants who wrote free-text answers regarding adjustments that had worked out well emphasized the use of sexual aids, both alone and with partner.…”

“…It is worth mentioning that participants who wrote free-text answers regarding adjustments that had worked out well emphasized the use of sexual aids, both alone and with partner. Norms regarding sexual aids are emphasizing different attitudes to male and female sexuality, normalizing the use of sexual aids for women but not for men unless it is a part of a relational sexual activity [19]. However Reece et al [18] found that the use of sexual aids among males was associated with a positive outcome for sexual health, such as erection and orgasm ability.…”

“…The knowledge about solo sex experiences among the general population clarifies the importance to include individual experiences of sexual activity and use of sexual aids when assessing sexual issues, also when it comes to rehabilitation of individuals with an ABI. Research in general populations have shown gender differences with more females than males having tried sex-toys and sexual aids [16][17][18][19]. This could be a result of differing societal norms regarding attitudes towards male versus female use of sexual aids [16][17][18][19].…”

“…Research in general populations have shown gender differences with more females than males having tried sex-toys and sexual aids [16][17][18][19]. This could be a result of differing societal norms regarding attitudes towards male versus female use of sexual aids [16][17][18][19]. These different attitudes might also affect sexual rehabilitation after ABI, both from health care professionals' and patients' perspectives.…”

The Subjective Construction of the Female Body: How Sex Toys Break down Stigmas on Women's Bodies and Sexuality

“…In fact, feminists promoted the industry in the 1970s by advocating for female consumers as a demographic with strong consumer potential. As a result, for those who consider women's sexual disadvantage in hetero sex is caused by the patriarchal denial of women's rights, making sex-positive toys would be an obvious political correction for patriarchal denial [11]. Sex toy designers have taken a more positive approach to female sexuality in a world that is much harsher on women.…”