Symbolic wounds

Bettelheim presents an account of his examination of initiation rites in present-day pre-literate societies and suggests that circumcision and related rituals may be the expression of male fascination with, and jealousy of, female sex apparatus and function. Broadly evaluating prevailing notions regarding puberty rites, Bettelheim describes ceremonies among different tribes--such as ritual subincision among the Arunta, transvestism among the African Changa, and many other customs--and also relates many myths that accompany the rituals.