depression (tedium, boredom, routine, pattern, expectancy),

sexuality (physical release of increased hormonal levels), and

security (materialism, possessiveness, competition).

Of course in either situation, whatever the majority are practicing becomes the "norm", status quo, justified behavior. For males, expected levels of participation in society came to be identified with, rewarded by, and encouraged by "education" which promoted the following:

1. ENCOURAGEMENT of testosterone production:

long durations of physical work and sensual separation;

peer competitiveness (sports, material wealth, wife);

focus on mass production (undeveloped communication skills);

group competitiveness (intolerance, pride, hate, war);

gender separation (role specialization);

herbs (ie: damiana);

2. FRUSTRATION of testosterone presence:

sexual competition (romance, peer pressure);

co-dependent sexuality (need & anxiety vs sensuality);

anti- and pro-masturbation (guilt, shame, acceptance);

heavy metal toxicity (ie: mercury poisoning);

estrogen supplementation (birth control pills);

3. INTENSE HORMONE DEMANDS:

anger, hate;

abandonment, possessiveness;

loss, grief, revenge;

lust.

WITH HYPER-INDUSTRIALIZATION more recently (last 50 years), progression into intense specialization and competition ... a dramatic change has occurred in human health. Breast cancer is becoming epidemic in women OVER the age of 40 and testicular and prostate cancers are becoming endemic in men UNDER the age of 40.

The Impact of the Power Culture.

Culture represents an accepted tradition of attitudes and behaviors which have at one point in history contributed to the survival of the members. That such behaviors and attitudes are largely inflexible, intolerant, and irrelevant to modern (late 1990's) challenges is an indication of their formation out of traumatic circumstances.

In other words, culture often functions as a mass ENERGY BLOCK.
The mass participation of culture means that it has the power to provide constructive or destructive context to the lives of its participants. In the West, the reality of its influence is dramatic. Sexuality can be a pleasing act which can encourage the longevity of a commitment between two persons. Instead, sex has become an act surrounded by fear, anxiety, superstition, ignorance, misinformation, pride, intolerance, guilt, confusion, neuroses, and depression.

WITH ENCOURAGEMENT OF a materialistic Ego, pride of ownership and one's insecurity about tribal acceptance led to the establishment of family boundaries rather than small group band structures. Self-identification within the masses was blurred. If power and authority did not isolate a person into prominence, child-bearing and child-fathering prevented one's sinking into social oblivion or social rejection.

SOCIAL NORMS AND THE STATUS QUO has long been a feature of humanity. That a person who could do more than the average person was believed deserving of respect and authority. Conversely, a person who appeared to be incapable of doing what the average person could do has often been rejected as odd, evil, weak. The prospect and suggestion of impotence has for centuries resulted in a human preoccupation with aphrodisiacs to the point of death.

GENITAL MUTILATION in the form of male circumcision, female infibulation and clitoral removal have been practiced for thousands of years largely with the result of cultural cohesiveness, pride and intolerance together with personal surrender, fear, and self-denial. Few institutionalized religions offer any specifics about marriage, divorce or sexual behavior in their founding documents ... even though many present followers believe otherwise.

CIRCUMCISION was adopted by the Jews from "pagan" practices and reinterpreted as a symbol of commitment to their God --- rather than fear of gods and the unknown. Christians, under the guidance of Paul, reduced the importance of this symbol to that of personal choice and relative unimportance. Mohammed acknowledged such customs but did not mandate them.

Buddhism and Hinduism, founded in non-arid climates, never acknowledged a necessity for genital mutilation. Other than to assist in cleanliness in arid countries, there is no practical justification for such actions. Most explanations have been shown to be nothing more than non-performing theory, or, superstition against the continuance of masturbation.

OTHER THAN CULTURAL COERCION, there is no healthful necessity or benefit in female genital mutilation. For the health-conscious and hypersensitive person, such practices are traumatic (and Energy block forming). In countries not endowed with generous water supplies and good hygiene practices, such operations can be fatal. Women so abused can suffer chronic urinary health problems, lifelong. Such imbalances are unnecessary. If they have been impressed upon you, do not extend the coercion by forcing the same on your children.

Hormone Toxicity Reduction and Balance.

Reduction of high levels of testosterone in the male are similar to those available to a woman:

• development of communication skills - listening, empathy, ...;
• meditation, prayer, relaxation --- to reduce frustration, anger;
• regular exercise to use and reduce "action-demanding" hormones;
• low-hormone nutritious diet of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds;
• non-drug health options: prevention, herbal, balancing, ....;
• patience & teamwork: commitment to one or few intimate partners;
• regular sexual expression by masturbation or shared intimacy;
• reduced chemical exposures to reduce reactive hormonal production;
• avoidance of erotic representations in advertising and movies.

THIS IS ONE SOLUTION to breast, prostate and testicular cancers: reduced long-term recurrent hormonal toxicity resulting from destructive cultural, religious, and environmental practices. ALL of these environments we have made and we have encouraged. If we really value life, happiness, intimacy, peace and spirituality we can each help change the world in that direction by beginning with ourselves and then mentoring our family, friends, and associates.

CHANGE begins with each of us!
Individuals contributed to formation of each culture.
Individuals can contribute to positive change within each culture.