Yay or nay? Sexy debate over vibrators sold at Watsons stores grips Malaysians

PETALING JAYA — A sexy debate over the availability of vibrators in stores continues to grip Malaysians.

The announcement of the launch of the devices by Watsons Malaysia on April 12 took Malaysia by storm as it went viral.

Advertised as “SmileMakers”, the vibrators take on four different personas — The French Man, The Tennis Coach, The Fireman and The Millionaire — at RM129 (S$44.22) per device.

Malay Mail engaged Malaysians to discuss the move made by the pharmacy.

The director of KIN & KiDS Marriage, Family and Child Therapy Centre, Ms Charis Wong, said: “The effect of vibrators on our society is almost negligent in comparison to pornography.

“However, if it is being sold in stores, it should be a behind-the-counter item sold only to adults.”

Ms Wong, a family and marriage therapist who occasionally administers sex therapy, said exposing teen girls to sex aids may lead to other problems.

“Girls who expose themselves to vibrators before having experienced intercourse may get addicted to vibrators in the process,” she said.

“This can also lead to the development of female orgasmic disorder in the future as it is difficult to replicate the sensation a vibrator would give during intercourse, which would leave these girls feeling unfulfilled.”

Dr Neelem Kumari, who has worked with teenagers, said vibrators could propagate the spread of sexually transmitted diseases among teens.

“Young girls who can’t afford to buy a vibrator would resort to sharing one among friends,” she said, adding that teens are “well informed on most things thanks to the Internet”.

Architecture student Ariadna Rizal, 17, believes that people should be able to do what they want with their bodies as long as they are not self-harming.

“But it is unwise to sell vibrators in pharmacies and sex toys should only be sold in sex shops to adults.”

Information Technology student, Mr Nicholas Chong, 23, said the abuse of sex paraphernalia could be made aware of if there were proper sex education in Malaysia.

“The problem is not the vibrators. They have always been available for purchase online,” he said.

“Sex education should begin at a younger age. We are no longer in the 1960s. Sex should no longer be a taboo and parents should discuss it with their kids. That way, the danger that vibrators could pose can be eradicated.”

Real estate agent Naresh Ramakrishnan, 28, said vibrators should have been made available long ago and that it made for a balanced society.

“A healthy sex life contributes to the well-being of an individual. To those without a partner, this is a suitable alternative and it poses no risk of unwanted pregnancies,” he said.

“Parents should play their part and talk to their teenagers about these matters. The rest of the society should not suffer because some parents refuse to do their jobs.”

Student John Low, 23, found Watsons’ move to be a step in the right direction.

“Durex markets condoms with vibrators in Malaysia. Having these products could help spice up people’s sex life and help couples who lost their spark in the bedroom to find it again,” he said. THE MALAY MAIL ONLINE