The non-cis approach to sex toys: Understanding the gendering of sex toys from a design perspective
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School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Bachelor's thesis
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Authors
Date
2023
Department
Major/Subject
Design
Mcode
ARTS3101
Degree programme
Bachelor's Programme in Design
Language
en
Pages
29+5
Series
Abstract
The history of industrialized sex toys and what led them to their present form is undetailed. Many aspects of how they came to be are debated, such as their origins in treating hysteria through clitoral massages by a doctor. Their marketing has historically been veiled by taboo, using double entendres and expecting the user to understand their “hidden” purpose. This taboo, aided by the appropriation of sex toy production by the adult film industry, has also led to a clear division between sex toys made for men/women. Despite the toys being able to be used by any gender, this is still the prominent way to categorize the toys. Gendering sex toys in a binary manner is being questioned by sections of the market named “un-gendered” or “queer-friendly”. This thesis analyzes how sex toys are gendered, particularly throughout their design, sales, and marketing, and proposes alternatives that are not based on a binary gender system. The results were found by analyzing the qualitative data gathered through interviews with six experts in the field (based in Europe and Australia) and exploring the emerging alternatives in online sex stores. Two major alternatives were identified: categorization by anatomy (e.g. penis or nipples), or by the type/function of the toy (e.g. vibrating or suction). The designer is responsible for deciding when to give space for a taboo or work against it. Safety should always be at the core of a sex toy design. When considering how to categorize, market, and present a Sex Toy, a designer should also consider if gendering is necessary or useful. This thesis reveals that the practice of categorizing by gender is an unnecessary one that needs to be re-evaluated. It can create unsafe environments and uncomfortable experiences for gender non-conforming people, intersex people, and people with disabilities, trauma, or surgeries. By labeling products exclusively by gender, the use, material safety, and other information gets obscured. Thus, users might feel pressured to conform to the stereotypes of what sex toy use is.Description
Supervisor
Leinonen, TeemuThesis advisor
Chumaira, Tania MirantiKeywords
sex toy, gender, marketing, non binary, genderless, queer, gendering, lgbtqia