Shhh… It’s better we whispered about it.
After all, sex isn’t the easiest thing to talk about. Of course, we know our parents had sex to conceive us, and we may or may not indulge in it in the future if we haven’t already – yet, talking about sex is an entirely different uphill battle. What’s more interesting about it is the way society understands sex – in some cultures sex is a purely spiritual thing, in some it is but a reproductive process, and some cultures do not like to talk about it at all.
These eccentric cultures and their strange sex facts are compiled below, because even if no one does, we will always talk about topics that cause discomfort and a little chaos for the good.
12 interesting and strange sex facts from around the world you didn’t know
- Hitler and the Nazi sex dolls
While the world hasn’t forgotten the innumerable hate crimes the Nazis committed, what we may not remember is how Hitler tried to curb sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis among his soldiers during World War II.
Because the soldiers consorted with sex workers and ended up with diseases that led to serious health hazards, Hitler had blow-up sex dolls made to get rid of this problem. Does this point to the idea that men have no control over their sexual urges? Maybe.
- The ‘husband stitch’
Although it is a malpractice and illegal, it has not stopped people from getting it done secretly. But what is the ‘husband stitch’?
The doctors, with or without the knowledge of the husband or the wife, add an extra stitch while sewing up the vagina after childbirth. This extra stitch during the repair of vaginal tearing during childbirth is done to assure that the woman remains ‘tight’ for maximum pleasure to the husband, and at the cost of the wife’s discomfort. It is scientifically proven that this stitch has no effect on the tightness of the vagina; it only causes discomfort, a longer recovery time, and painful sex for the wife.
If sex is merely for reproduction as many people around the world would argue, why would doctors add an extra stitch?
- Drive-ins for sex workers
If history is any proof, sex workers are the most prone targets of violence around the world. In order to safeguard the rights and lives of sex workers, The Netherlands first established sex drive-ins around the 1980s, and the concept has been adapted by Germany and Zurich too.
These open garages are often built in industrial areas, which relocates sex workers away from the city centre and offer maximum safety with security guards and alarm buttons wired to boxes in case of emergencies. A doctor and a social worker are available 24/7 to ensure the physical and mental well-being of the sex workers.
- Virginity tests in Afghanistan
Virginity tests are still prevalent in countries like Afghanistan, where women must bleed on a white bedspread on their wedding night or be punished to death. This is highly condemned because virginity is now understood as a social construct instead of a tangible thing – not only can the hymen break during excessive physical activities which have nothing to do with sex, but it also does not determine a person’s value whatsoever.
- Sex for money in Hong Kong
While many of us are having sex for free, people in Hong Kong get paid for sex if it can result in a child. The country faces a collective low fertility rate, which has led to the government urging the people to get cosy and have kids.
- No self-pleasure in Indonesia
It might sound strange, but the Indonesian government is actually very strict about sex laws, and specifically, masturbatory laws. It is not an offence punishable by death, but you will definitely spend 32 months in jail for any acts of self-pleasure.
- No sex toys in Alabama
Alabama is pretty famous for stereotypical incest jokes, but what’s not funny is that this US state restricts the use of sex toys for pleasure. The sale of ‘any device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs for anything of pecuniary value’ is illegal.
- Sexist adultery laws in Egypt
While these laws are bizarre in itself, the laws for adultery in Egypt are not just strange but also sexist. While women involved in adultery can be imprisoned up to 2 years in jail, men only get 6 months and that too only if the infidelity took place in the family home.
- Beastiality in Lebanon
This will be the craziest thing you've ever heard: under Lebanese law, men are allowed to have sex with animals, provided that the animal is a female. On the other hand, if men have sex with a male animal, it is punishable by death.
- Mommy issues in Colombia
This might sound absolutely ridiculous, but Colombian mothers are encouraged to be present for their daughter’s first night of sex. The practice symbolised the community's involvement in the marriage. Mommy issues much?
- Crazy Sex in Washington D.C.?
A lot of us love to explore and try out new things in bed, but what if you were only allowed to have sex in one position? People in Washington D.C. are allowed to consummate only in the missionary position. We only have one question: who is keeping a check and how?
- The Two-Finger Test in India
You will be surprised to know that this test was termed unconstitutional only in 2013. This test involves a medical practitioner inserting two fingers into the vagina of a rape survivor. They do this to check if the hymen is broken and to test the laxity of the vagina. If the rape survivors are habituated to sex as per the test results, it casts doubt on their allegation altogether.
Sex is supposed to be consensual, fun, relaxing, calming, safe and intimate. If it isn’t fulfilling even one of these prerequisites, you must not go through with it. The world benefits men in ways we are not even aware of, and in ways they won’t even acknowledge. Therefore, it becomes absolutely necessary for us to inform ourselves about everything uncomfortable and chaotic for security reasons.
We hope reading the article makes you question the systems in place as much as it did when we compiled it for you.
References
UAB Institute for Human Rights Blog