A mother responds to this thread:
While unwilling to pay for a subscription to the on-line periodical, I was able to read more by Michel Odent from other sources.
My thoughts about the article(s) are that caring for children, not just birthing them, rely on very basic behaviors and response. When my child speaks, from his first sounds, my mind focused on his sounds, ignoring all other input. We call it the “parental mind-wipe” at our house. As his voice deepens with approaching maturity, the condition occurs less. While not having read many Odent articles, my guess is that “traditional” roles for men at the time of birthing would be concentrated on keeping the birthing tent/hut safe from predators seeking the easy meal of a newborn or the exhausted mother.
This culture of censored behaviors may be giving rise to outlandish behaviors as a response to the constraints placed on normal feelings. When stressed people feel that the only safe way to experience their stresses and transitions is to medicate or wound themselves, we have stepped backward in evolution.
It does seem like every negative emotion might be a candidate for medication. Mourning, for example.
