T O P I C R E V I E W
Pixie69
Member # 406
posted 07-09-2001 02:02 PM
I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and it's really bugging me. I really hate the fact that I can't go buy a big purple dildo if I wanted to. Because I happen to be only 15 years of age, which is more than a few years shy of the age when it's okay to buy sex toys. Perhaps there is good reasoning behind this, but I fail to see it. Perhaps I'm just a strange child, but I lust after the products at goodvibes.com, I make a little wish list in my head of all the things I'll buy...once I turn 21. Is it going to hurt the children to let them buy sex toys? I really don't think so. Honestly, I'm trying to see some good reason, but my brain hurts and I've come up with nothing. Any teenager who has the desire and means to buy a big purple dildo probably has already had their innocent tainted, if that's what you'd like to call it.
Do you agree with the laws? Do you disagree? Can you see any reasoning behind this?
------------------ Brittany Scarleteen Advocate
"Just say no" fights teen pregnancy the way "hey, cheer up" fights manic depression.
Shadowhawk
Member # 3425
posted 07-09-2001 03:47 PM
My guess is these laws exist for the same reason lots of other crazy laws exist -- trying to regulate morals via laws. For example, here in Arizona, loads of stuff was illegal -- intercourse if it wasn't "missionary" between a man and a woman, unmarried male-female cohabitation, same-sex cohabitation, all sorts of issues that can only be described as attempting to regulate morality. (If the governor didn't renege on her repealing these laws, then they don't exist anymore. But I stopped paying attention.)I don't agree with the government being the "moral compass" on very personal matters. But I can understand why the laws exist, as insane as they may seem.
Like you pointed out, chances are you wouldn't want a big purple dildo if you didn't already know what one was. And it's not going to hurt anyone else by your owning it (unless you club them to death with it, or something). I think really it's become an issue of what's a standing taboo, which in this case is the idea of "children" being aware of sex.
Beppie
Member # 94
posted 07-09-2001 09:38 PM
Shadowhawk got it right in his last sentence- laws like this are due to a fear of "children" being aware of sex. I can see how some people might think there is a need for age of consent laws in order to protect children (although I personally disagree with the way most age of consent laws are implemented), but owning a sex toy such as a dildo or a vibrator can harm no one. On the contrary, it would encourage a young person to relieve sexual tension in a safe environment, while getting to know their own bodies, rather than partaking in experimentation with a partner that they may not be ready for (although some teens are ready for partnered sex, I know).
BruinDan
Member # 3072
posted 07-09-2001 09:46 PM
quote: Originally posted by Beppie:On the contrary, it would encourage a young person to relieve sexual tension in a safe environment, while getting to know their own bodies, rather than partaking in experimentation with a partner that they may not be ready for. Brilliant point. It would seem that masturbation and self-exploration could be the antidote to the promiscuous sex that the US government is so in fear of. But we all know what happened when former Surgeon General Jocellyn Elders promoted masturbation...she was promptly fired, and by a Democratic administration! Sometimes things don't make a whole lot of sense out here.
------------------ "Verdugo, Engine 14; you can cancel all units responding to this structure fire...this is just a dishwasher gone bad ."
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Gumdrop Girl
Member # 568
posted 07-09-2001 10:12 PM
i find it odd that you can't buy those things in Nevada before the age of 21.in California, you can purchase sex toys if you are 18.
------------------"And who are you who are so wise in the ways of science?" from Monty Python and the Holy Grail
broccolidiva
Member # 4409
posted 07-09-2001 10:20 PM
Odder still: You can legally have sex, but you can't own a sex toy? Hmmm? I say that's just plain silly! What to outlaw next? Masturbation?*shakes head*
Love, Brocc
lemming
Member # 33
posted 07-10-2001 01:57 AM
Well, in Texas, odder still, there ARE no sex toys.All those dildos and vibrators and buttplugs and whatnot must, by state law, be clearly marked "For Novelty Use Only" or "For Entertainment Purposes Only" or some such legal drivel.
Entertainment...heh.
------------------~lemming, Scarleteen Advocate
want to know the inner lemming? read her diary at http://innerlemming.diaryland.com/ ."Is love like the sweet, bitter taste of marmalade on burnt toast?"
John Doe
Member # 3836
posted 07-10-2001 08:23 AM
Of course they are for entertainment purposes, they can be very entertaining.
lucina
Member # 3792
posted 07-10-2001 10:16 AM
they used to sell semi-sex-toys - i mean, novelty dildos, edible undies, and vibrating things at the it store in the local mall. they were shoved in the back, and not very well-lit, but they were there. i doubt you had to be 18 to buy them. i'm sure in every city there's a store that's a bit lax. and if there isn't you could just hop down to the canadian tire (i don't know what american hardware shops are called) and buy a vibrating massager.
Sapphire85
Member # 2709
posted 07-10-2001 07:50 PM
At the Spencer's in the mall near me, they sell some pretty sex-oriented stuff- edible underwear, sex board games (hehe- literally a sex toy), edible massage oils, and possibly a dildo or two. I'm not sure if you have to be 18 to buy them, most of the clerk at the store are probably under that age. And I'm not sure if they're marked novelty, but I don't think it matters. I agree that most kids searching for sex toys obviously already KNOW about them, and aren't going to be corrupted or anything. Unfortunately, that 18 years of age seems to be a magical number. Oh well, if we kids can't buy sex toys, we'll just have to get creative. Electric toothbrush, anyone? LOL. ;-)
broccolidiva
Member # 4409
posted 07-13-2001 08:44 PM
Well, I'm not completely sure about this one, but our friendly condom and sex toy store here in Toronto (the condom shack) seem to have a pretty relaxed policy. If you're under 16, you shouldn't be browsing in condom shack, but if you're actually purchasing something, they certainly won't drive you away. I've taken friends in and advised them on the practice of safe sex. Would this be the same for sex toys? I have had friends who have bought things like handcuffs. I have no idea, really.Love, Brocc
LilBlueSmurf
Member # 1207
posted 07-13-2001 11:18 PM
I love that place, broc!! It's awsome. I think the only reason they won't drive you away is b/c most kids are just buying condoms ... I would think. And they go in there b/c everyone else does, to look at the sex toys and sex dice and chocolate underwear. It's just fun. I don' know about the sex toys tho ... People will find household stuff if they want to. Just b/c it looks like a dildo and the company says it is, doesn't mean you can't make your own. Safely of course ... (condoms condoms condoms!)