Singapore is one of the few places in the world that can be rather conservative when it comes to erotic products like sex toys and items meant for personal pleasure and enjoyment.

What makes it really surprising is that Singapore is touted as one of the few first class country that can be quite intolerant when it comes to products that challenges a person’s sense of decency or morality. Of course, when it comes to products, images, or ideas that poses a risk to the country’s racial and religious harmony, we will agree that Singapore can do without any of these items.

Even when the country has many younger individuals and filled with expats and foreign talents, the strict laws and social groups make it their mission to prevent these products from harming social norms and societal welfare.

For instance, a infomercial by tengatango.com featuring the Tenga sex toys (Tenga Flip Lite, Tenga Egg and Tenga Flip Hole) was recently taken off the air after it was screened for barely two weeks. And all radio commericals were removed and banned as well after it attracted numerous ‘concerns’ over the appropriateness of the commericals and social implications.
The advertisments are now only available on certain webstores promoting the male sex toys and the official Tenga YouTube Channel(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3I2xBN_das)

The official reason given by the media authorities is that they endanger social sense of morality. However, the reality is that advertisment like these meant that there is a unofficial watchdog who will decide what is permitted and what is not encouraged (for lack of a better word).

Even condoms advertisments are not spared. A well-known brand of condom was also order to removed their banners on public transport when concerned passenger thought that it would encourage pre-marital sex.

A fast-food chain was also in the spotlight after some parents made a police report that the advertisment is crude and insensitive.

All these points to inconsistent and conflicting goals of the tiny island state: the desire of Singapore to connect with the rest of the world on an international level, and the overly protective instinct of the people with a over-zealous moral standing.

Since advertisements for a sex toy like Tenga and references to oral sex is not allowed, what about advertisments for sanitary pads, and bikinis? In other words, where do we draw the line, or more importantly who draws the line?

Ultimately, the country has to decide where to draw the line between what is morally and socially acceptable and what would bring danger to its social peace and development.