CAIRO: At a time when the media has to confront waves of severe criticism for having exercised their freedom to debate sex-related issues like street girls and pedophiles, a daring file tilted "Sex in our Life featured in last week's edition of Al Musawwar proved that the local media is capable of discussing the most sensitive and controversial of questions without being scandalous. The magazine objectively and realistically tackled the role sex plays in Egyptians' daily lives without sensationalizing a taboo that most magazines and dailies have used time and again to boost sales. The file looked into the attitude that different segments of Egyptian society have towards sex, recording reactions that ranged from total conservatism to total openness, with levels of moderation that surged and dipped between these two extremes. Some articles talked about the way Muslim extremists as well as conservative Christians regard sex, while others discussed fears of the wedding night, superstition and the dearth of infertility centers needed to address sexual incompetence. Other hot issues like online sex, sex in film productions, music videos and TV commercials come to light in addition to sex education in schools, sexual jokes and the sexual bribes. The shocking facts that translated Egyptians' sexual behavior into figures were particularly interesting. Egyptians spend more than one LE 1 billion on products meant to boost sex appeal. These products vary from contraceptives, herbs, cosmetics and aphrodisiacs to plastic surgery undertaken to magnify or minimize sexual organs. The interest in these products is shared equally by the rich and poor who are on the lookout for them in a market that continues to be flooded by genuine and false items, catering to all needs and income brackets. The magazine quoted specialists as saying that when Viagra was initially banned in Egypt, the quantities that were illegally brought in were worth LE 500 million. But other experts estimated that the value of the aphrodisiacs traded in the country could reach LE 1 billion. Compensatory gadgets are also popular among those who tie the knot at a late age, noted the magazine, highlighting that the highest demand is for herbal sex boosters. But while fertility remains the majority of men's obsession, women's focus is certainly on looks. "Women's keenness to polish their looks so that they appear more seductive is not new, said the magazine. It added: "But that craze has intensified with the spread of TV satellite channels and commercials. Also the obsession with copying film stars plays a role in encouraging that penchant. The magazine claims that 240 cosmetic surgeries are performed every year for men and women who want to look like a movie star or singing diva. Women account for 70 percent of those who undergo plastic surgery. Most women visit these clinics to remove excess fat, control breast size or get a facelift. But men mostly opt for nose surgery or growing chest hair.
