FREUD'S THEORY of penis envy is the jumping-off point for understanding the complexes which humans can develop around the male sexual organ.

Why, we ask, are Jamaicans so opposed to seeing examples of male genitalia on display, as signified by the controversial Emancipation Park statue? Many still keep their heads averted from the bold statement when they drive or walk nearby.

Psychologist Sidney McGill of the Family Counselling Centre in Ocho Rios has his own theories about it.

He comments: "So much of what goes on in man's mind and who he is, is centred around the penis and the power of the organ.

"The penis is revered and is shrouded in mystery and so much of what goes on in our minds is secretly conjured fantasy. To have an exposed penis becomes jarring for our reality.

"A lot of things are denied and denial is a very popular way with coping with the reality."

The penis, the psychologist says, defines male identity. Self-esteem is bound up in penis and performance.

COMPETITION OF MINDS

It is because of the competition in the minds of men for size, and also for being a winner (meaning a good sexual performer) that they become accepted in the fraternity of the he-man.

"No man wants to be a she-man. To be a she-man is to be like a woman and that is important to him."

To be confronted with the own experience of a small penis or inability to have sexual intercourse is a nightmare.

Much of the problem of wanting to keep the male sexual organ hidden (few if any have a problem with seeing women naked) is related to difficulties in intimacy, the psychologist also notes. Though the man may possess the physical attribute of a large penis, he may feel deficient in other areas of intimacy, including how to give and receive love.

"We do not want to be exposed," the psychologist states. The truth for many if not most Jamaican men is that intercourse involves a focus on physical attainment, overlooking the emotional and spiritual aspect of bonding which is part of the sexual act.

DIMENSIONS

While all the dimensions of the human should come into play during the sex act, it rarely does for many men who scorn true intimacy.

"We fear most the things we cannot see. We fear the object of our love because it means we would have to be completely vulnerable and we do not trust this person totally because we fear how they will deal with our weaknesses and failings."

Men have difficulty facing the true self.

"We have difficulty accepting our own selves and to risk it with another person can be terrifying."

Culturally, therefore, we are not true conservatives. Instead we seek to hide from representations of what we fear.

When relationships are motivated more by love and less by fear, our acceptance of art which is representational of unclothed desire and complete vulnerability, will grow.

- Outlook Team