Smile Makers: Are Singaporeans satisfied with their sex lives?
updated the 6 October 2015 à 23:15
A survey commissioned by the Swedish personal massager brand, Smile Makers revealed some telling results on the perception of sexual well-being in Singapore
With rising stress levels, poor work life balance and soaring costs of living, it probably comes as little surprise that the top concern among Singaporean women would be ‘feeling financially secure’ trumping ‘feeling sexually satisfied’. According to a poll conducted by the global research company, TNS and Swedish personal massager brand, Smile Makers, the ‘Good Vibe’ survey revealed some telling results on sexual well-being and perceptions toward self-pleasure in this part of the world.
Typically, the notion of self-pleasure has been riddled with non-disclosure, disapproval or worse even disgust in most parts of Asia. However with the younger generation, more people are now open to discussing the act and engaging in it without feeling embarrassed.
“Many people do not realise that sexual well-being is important for health, and when we are timestrapped it naturally ranks low on the priority list. Studies have shown that being sexually stimulated, whether through sex or self-pleasure, creates endorphins and oxytocin which in turn trigger positive feelings and wellbeing,” said Professor P. Ganesan Adaikan PhD, a Research Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, National University of Singapore
While priority for sex and self-pleasure may rank low for most women, the survey did show that 93% feel they “should take charge of their own sexual satisfaction” and 60% of women are open to buying a vibrator but would prefer to purchase them in everyday health and beauty stores that they trust and are comfortable in.
Now that poses a huge gap in supply and demand for self-pleasure products and that possibly stems from where these products are sold at or displayed – in speciality stores with bright neon lighting as if to signal to the entire world what someone is going in for. That could hardly be a pleasant experience, now could it?
With that in mind, Smile Makers set out to launch a series of 4 vibrators that seek to normalise them and the process of buying one. In an attempt to inject a tinge of humour, the brand was inspired by 4 common sexual fantasies that women have – the Frenchman, the fireman, the millionaire and the tennis coach – and delivered some element of each in their design.
Despite the deep-rooted social and cultural stigma associated with self-pleasure, two-thirds of women in Singapore engage in it and want to do it more frequently. Hence by normalising the whole experience of buying a vibrator, injecting humour and stressing the varied health benefits with regards to the act, Smile Makers essentially has one goal and that is to make the idea of healthy sex and sexuality a natural part of beauty care.
Now if everyone would just lighten up and smile.
Smile Makers are currently available in all Watsons stores.
Tarandip Kaur
