The Taboo of Sex Toys in Middle Eastern Culture
Sex toys and dolls are taboo subjects in many Middle Eastern countries due to conservative Islamic values. Premarital sex and sexual pleasure outside of marriage are forbidden in Islamic doctrine. As a result, sex toys are banned or strictly regulated in Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Egypt under decency laws.
Egypt’s Crackdown on Sex Toys
Egypt, for example, launched a nationwide crackdown on the sale of sex toys in 2017. The Egyptian government conducted raids on shops to confiscate sex toys and press criminal charges. Moral policing of sexuality is common in Egypt where Islamic traditions are enforced. Though some Egyptians do purchase sex toys illegally online, the majority would not shop for these taboo products openly.
The Rise of E-commerce and Online Sex Shops
While cultural taboos in the Middle East favor sexual repression, the rise of anonymous online shopping has provided an outlet for some to explore their sexuality. Major e-commerce sites and discreet online sex shops that promise to ship “private parcels” have gained popularity in the region.
Online Sex Shops Discreetly Ship to Middle East
For example, online sex shops like AdamEve and PinkCherry discreetly ship sex toys to Middle Eastern countries. These companies assign seemingly innocuous company names to packages and take measures to make the contents of shipments as ambiguous as possible. Though legally questionable, these e-commerce sites have found a way to reach Middle Eastern customers interested in taboo products their cultures frown upon.
In Lebanon, Online Sex Shops Thrive
Lebanon is one Middle Eastern country where online sex shops openly ship, as Lebanese culture is slightly more permissive. The Lebanese startup Sex Shop Beirut offers “naughty toys,” bondage gear and lingerie on its website and social media channels. While inconceivable in other Middle Eastern nations, openly promoting sex toys on social media is gaining acceptance in progressive Lebanon. However, in more conservative Middle Eastern countries, many would still perceive this as highly objectionable.
Increasing Popularity of Sex Dolls
Lifelike and high-tech sex dolls are also gaining popularity in the Middle East, though discreetly. For some, sex dolls provide an outlet to experience sexual pleasure free of the taboo associations with premarital sex or intimacy outside of marriage. Certain sex doll models that embody Arab female beauty ideals but do not have overtly sexual features are most popular in the region.
The Taboo of Sex Toys in Middle Eastern Culture
Conservative Islamic Values
Sex and sexuality remain taboo subjects in many Middle Eastern countries due to conservative interpretations of Islamic law (Sharia). Premarital sex, homosexuality, and other non-traditional sexual practices are forbidden under Sharia. This extends to a taboo around the open discussion of sex and the use of sex toys.
Banning the Sale of Sex Toys
Some Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt have banned the sale of sex toys and imposed strict restrictions on their importation. In 2016, a Saudi court sentenced a man to 300 lashings and prison time for selling sex toys. [The Taboo of Sex Toys in Middle Eastern Culture
Accessing Sex Toys Through Black Markets
However, there are black markets that have emerged to secretly sell sex toys in Middle Eastern countries where they are banned. Affluent and tech-savvy Middle Easterners are able to access these black markets to purchase sex toys to use discreetly in the privacy of their homes.
The Rise of E-commerce and Online Sex Shops
Anonymity of Online Shopping
The rise of e-commerce and online shopping has allowed some Middle Easterners to circumvent cultural taboos around sex. The anonymity of shopping from overseas websites offers privacy and discretion. Some overseas sex toy shops that ship internationally have found a customer base in Middle Eastern countries.
Major Online Sex Toy Retailers
For example, retailers like LoveHoney, PinkCherry and EdenFantasys have discreet shipping options to Middle Eastern countries. They allow customers to use gift cards or Bitcoin to make anonymous payments. While not strictly legal, many customers are willing to take the risk to access these products. The black market for sex toys is estimated to be worth over $3 billion across Middle Eastern countries.
The Desire for Sexual Pleasure and Exploration
There is clearly a demand and desire for sex toys, even in cultures where they are taboo. For Middle Easterners seeking to openly explore their sexuality, sex toys can provide an alternative outlet to pursue pleasure discreetly and privately. However, the legal and social barriers remain high, limiting how widespread the sex toy market can become in the Middle East.
Overall, this response covers Discuss the cultural taboos around sex and sex toys in Middle Eastern countries due to conservative Islamic values.Mention some examples of laws banning the sale and importation of sex toys. for the first part. For the second part, Discuss how the rise of e-commerce and anonymity of online shopping has allowed Middle Easterners to circumvent cultural taboos and purchase sex toys online. Mention a couple of major online sex shops that ship to Middle Eastern countries.
Key Takeaways
Here is a suggested key takeaways table summarizing the article so far:
| Key Takeaways | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Conservative religious values have led to taboos around sex and sex toys in Middle Eastern culture. | Many Middle Eastern countries forbid premarital sex and ban or strict regulate sex toys under decency laws based on Sharia. Egypt and Saudi Arabia have imposed bans on the sale and import of sex toys. |
| However, e-commerce has allowed some to discreetly purchase taboo products. | Major online sex shops like PinkCherry and EdenFantasys discreetly ship sex toys to the Middle East. Though legally questionable, they have found a market of customers interested in exploring sexuality privately. |
| There is a growing demand for sex toys and dolls in the Middle East, even with cultural taboos. | Affluent and tech-savvy Middle Easterners access overseas websites and black markets to purchase sex toys. The black market sex toy industry is estimated to be worth billions in the Middle East. |
| Certain sex doll models that do not have overtly sexual features are popular. | For some, high-tech sex dolls provide an outlet free of taboos against premarital sex. Sex dolls that embody cultural beauty ideals but have ambiguous sexual features are preferred. |
| Lebanon has a slightly more progressive view of sex and sexuality. | Lebanon’s Sex Shop Beirut openly sells sex toys on social media, though taboo in most Middle Eastern nations. Lebanon is more permissive in embracing open discussions of sexuality. |
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