I was recently asked if I’d heard about the new phenomenon of teen sex dolls being marketed to young men. As a parent, I could hardly believe what I was hearing—dolls specifically tailored to appeal to our teen boys, and explicitly designed for “sexual exploration”? Shudder.
When I did a little research I learned that “man duxking”—the slang term—refers to a type of doll specifically designed for sexual pleasure, usually made from silicone and molded with realistic features such as soft lips, full breasts, and a curvaceous figure. Manufacturers are marketing these dolls as toys that provide an outlet for “safe” and “controlled” sexual release.
I had all sorts of questions on my mind after I heard about this. Were these dolls being bought for sexual experimentation? Or were these dolls being bought as substitutes for real relationships? Weren’t there already enough questionable sexual influences out there on the internet? Did the manufacturers of these dolls think kids wouldn’t seek out this kind of stuff on their own?
I was appalled, and a bit disturbed, to say the least. In my opinion, it seems like these companies are trying to exploit our vulnerable youth by not only normalizing sex at a young age, but also objectifying young women, and perpetuating the notion that it’s acceptable to find satisfaction in something synthetic.
Thankfully, there is a growing grassroots movement of concerned parents and citizens in my town working hard to shut down this kind of marketing to young people. I’m relieved to see that some people are passionate about keeping these products out of our schools, stores, and homes.
Still…I’m not sure how I feel about the whole thing. I’m so conflicted, it makes my head spin. In one aspect, I understand that it’s the parents’ responsibility to keep their kids safe and educate them on this kind of thing. But what if kids get their hands on these dolls? What messages about sex and relationships would they be sending?
At the end of the day, I think it’s important to remember that these products are often misused and used in ways not intended by the manufacturers. In my opinion, buying these dolls only encourages teens to use them to experiment sexually, and promotes a false and unhealthy idea of sex and relationships—something that no teenager should be exposed to.
Apart from all of that, I definitely have to question the morality and responsibility of those companies advertising the product. Are they aware of the potential consequences of marketing these dolls to teenagers? Unfortunately, in my experience, these companies tend to turn a blind eye to the fact that this product is being sold to impressionable and vulnerable teens.
I often think of teenage girls—who are being portrayed by these products as plastic objects for male sexual gratification. I think of how it unravels the delicate balance between fantasy, reality, and love. In my opinion, it only serves to objectify and devalue women, and encourages young men to view them as pleasure objects instead of human beings.
Let’s be honest—teenagers are going to be curious and experiment. But it’s up to adults to make sure sexual exploration doesn’t involve tools that can be harmful to our kids’ mental and physical wellbeing.
Fortunately, there are some things that can be done to protect our children from these products. We can reach out to our local officials and urge them to take a stance against products marketed to our children. We can also talk to our children about sex and healthy relationships openly—and try and steer them away from such products.
At the end of the day, I think we need to create an environment of compassion, open dialogue, and respect; one that values everyone’s unique sexuality without objectifying, devaluing or exploiting them. And when it comes to teen sex dolls, I certainly won’t be recommending them!
I’m sure most parents and concerned citizens would agree that these products can have a damaging effect on our youngsters’ beliefs about sex, relationships, and consent. Without proper sex education, teens may not be aware of the implications of using these products, and may end up engaging in risky behaviors simply because these products are available.
Another area of concern is that these products desensitize young people to real-life sexual relationships and create unrealistic expectations. Teenagers may use these products as a substitute for real-life relationships, building an unhealthy attitude that’s rooted in unrealistic desires and compromised standards of intimacy.
Aside from all of the potential risks, there’s also the moral side of the adolescent sex dolls debate. How is it right to sell something to vulnerable teens that simulates a real human-like experience? It seems callous and exploitative, and the impression teens get is that these toys deliver instant gratification—something that’s inevitable in real-life relationships.
I think it’s important to remember that our every day decisions about these issues have lasting ramifications—making it even more important that we as parents talk to our teens openly and honestly. We can’t always protect them; sometimes it’s more important to teach them how to protect themselves.
And while I don’t advocate for these kinds of products, Penis Rings I also understand that the topic of sex and teenage relationships will always be a sensitive issue. More often than not, teenagers will seek out sexual experiences as part of growing up, and sometimes they need adult guidance. We need to be aware that if these products become a substitute for exploring relationships, we might be doing our teens a huge disservice.
It’s up to responsible adults to create the kind of environment in which our teens feel secure about sexuality and aware of the potential consequences of their actions. We can provide the kind of sex education our teens need to ensure that risks are minimized, and they are moving onto healthy and responsible relationships in a safe manner.
We owe it to our teens to open their eyes, educate them and let them know that our emotions are better expressed in relationships with real people. We should instill in our kids’ minds the idea that true and meaningful relationships and sexual gratification should be explored with someone special, not through a product.
It’s our job as parents to create a safe and secure environment for our teenagers to grow up in, and just as important, one where they feel valued and respected. These sex dolls don’t just promote damaging behavior, they can also demean and devalue individuals, and carry a negative connotation for teenage relationships and adult relationships.
We can teach teens to treat people with respect, and if anything, strive for meaningful relationships, rather than settling for something that’s artificial. Despite all of these concerns, it’s still important to remember that not all men opting for these dolls are necessarily at risk for engaging in reckless behavior. Like any other issue, better understanding and balanced perspectives are necessary so that we can come to informed opinions and decisions.
For me, teenage relationship and sex education should remain one of the most important topics of discussion. We need to remember that no matter what issues arise, our children’s safety should always be the priority.