Comments on: Scrotum is an Odd Word

By: PA_Lady

PA_Lady — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 15:43:34 +0000

In the interests of disclosure, I haven’t read the book. (I do plan on buying it, however, and I’m sure I’ll write a little review when I do.)

That said, it’s just a story, about a girl named Lucky with a rough start to her life, who’s afraid her guardian will abandon her, and – because of her eavesdropping – is searching for her Higher Power. (Thus the title.)

The word is used, from what I’ve read in various reports/reviews, just twice. Once when she overhears it, and once later in the book when she finally asks the owner of the dog what it is. When she does, it’s explained simply as “the place that hurts worst on a male”.

From what I understand, the reason the dog was bitten there – as opposed to leg – was to emphasize the fact that Lucky knows things she doesn’t understand AND can’t ask about. She’s confused by life, and this is just one more detail to show that confusion.

Personally, I think the pearl-clutchers got off easy. I’ve been to some 12-step meetings (with a friend) and there was some stuff mentioned that isn’t appropriate for anyone of any age. Penthouse would have rejected them as “too disgusting, even for us!”

By: David

David — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 13:31:04 +0000

I personally don’t care about the word being used. However, I do think it is very strange to use such a word in a story for children. Is it an educational book about the body or is it just a story?

By: mom

mom — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 22:24:26 +0000

I read “Valley of the Dolls” in high school. A pretty tame book by today’s Hollywood standards but it caused an uproar in the Bible belt. However, America and all it valued did not come to a screeching halt because teenage girls were reading “Valley of the Dolls.”
Unlike my friends, however, I did not have to hid the book from my mom. In fact, she read it when I finished it. She answered questions I had, and laughed at parts I found so serious.
Readers Digest use to run a section called, “Send Me a Man Who Can Read.” The idea being just what you have said, if you know words, you have knowledge. Knowledge gives you power.
As a nurse, I often had to write the word Scrotum when describing male parts. What would they have preferred, “Patient has a swollen NUT SACK.” Or his Privates are inflamed.
Boys and Girls know they have these parts. Maybe we just ought to be honest, and call a spade a spade, or in this case, A Scrotum a Scrotum.
Silly Rabbits trying to ban books. Making them far more attractive.