Two folding tables with sexual merchandise.
The merchandise is presented to the potential buyers.

A sex toy party is a usually female-only gathering[1][2] where participants learn about and buy sex toys.[3] It is a type of party plan, similar to Tupperware parties.[2]

The party may start with an icebreaker game,[4] then a sex toy representative, or 'facilitator',[5] displays and discusses the products.[6] Although the discussion is sexually explicit, euphemisms such as 'button' for clitoris are common.[7] The participants examine and talk about the products, with the option of purchasing them from the representative in a private room at the end of the party.[4][8] Other merchandise such as bath salts, aromatherapy, and body paints are more commonly sold.[9] The representative receives commission based on the sales from the party. There are thousands of representatives of sex toy party companies in the United States.

Sex toy parties began in the 1970s, and became increasingly popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s.[10] The marketing practices of sex toy parties have encouraged alternative sexual practices.[11] The popularity of sex toy parties has suggested to be related to self-help and self actualization.[7]

According to research studies conducted by scientists such as Debby Herbenick and Michael Reece of Indiana University, sex toy representatives are often asked for advice on sexual health,[5] and many have a background working in sex education, health, education, or sexuality.[12] Some romance companies do permit males at their sex toy parties.

A woman was arrested in Texas in December 2003 on obscenity charges for hosting a sex toy party for undercover narcotics officers,[13][14] but the case was dismissed by the judge in July 2004.[15]

References

  1. ↑ McCaughey, Martha; Christina French (September 2001). "Women's sex-toy parties: Technology, orgasm, and commodification" (PDF). Sexuality & Culture. Springer. 5 (3): 77–96. doi:10.1007/s12119-001-1031-2. ISSN 1095-5143. S2CID 145228296.
  2. 1 2 Alexander, Brian (15 October 2006). "Tupperware parties with a twist: Sex toys are for sale at these ladies-only gatherings". NBC News. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  3. ↑ Audi, Tamara (5 November 2001). "Sex-Toy Parties Generating Millions for Burgeoning Industry, Officials Say". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  4. 1 2 "Sex Toy Parties". WTVG-TV. Toledo, Ohio: ABC. 14 November 2005. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  5. 1 2 Herbenick, Debra; Michael Reece; Arianne Hollub (November 2009). "Inside the ordering room: characteristics of women's in-home sex toy parties, facilitators and sexual communication". Sexual Health. Csiro Publishing. 6 (4): 318–327. doi:10.1071/sh08086. PMID 19917201.
  6. ↑ "Article: Sex toy parties allow for privacy, fun Like Tupperware party, only with spicier wares". The Gazette. Colorado Springs. 22 March 2005. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  7. 1 2 Cossman, Brenda (2007). Sexual citizens: the legal and cultural regulation of sex and belonging. Stanford University Press. ISBN 978-0-8047-4996-1.
  8. ↑ Rouvalis, Cristina (28 September 2002). "Naughty wares spice up these house parties". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  9. ↑ Needham, Christina (10 October 2005). "Woonsocket sex-toy business connects women with their inner goddess". The Providence Journal. Providence, Rhode Island. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  10. ↑ Copeland, Libby (7 February 2000). "Girls just wanna have fun; All-female sex toy parties make for big business". The Spectator. Hamilton, Ontario. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  11. ↑ Curtis, Debra (2004). "Commodities and Sexual Subjectivities: A Look at Capitalism and Its Desires". Cultural Anthropology. Wiley/American Anthropological Association. 19 (1): 95–121. doi:10.1525/can.2004.19.1.95. Archived from the original on 2013-01-05.
  12. ↑ Herbenick, Debra; Michael Reece (April 2009). "In-home Sex Toy Party Facilitators as Sex Educators: What Questions Are They Asked and What Makes Them More "Askable"?". American Journal of Sexuality Education. Routledge. 4 (2): 178–193. doi:10.1080/15546120903001415. ISSN 1554-6128. S2CID 143960046.
  13. ↑ Rubenstein, Steve (16 December 2003). "Texas housewife busted for hawking erotic toys". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  14. ↑ Alexander, Brian (18 March 2004). "Sex toys and porn on her terms". NBC News. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
  15. ↑ Rubenstein, Steve (30 July 2004). "Vibrator case dismissed in Texas". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.