two new sets of customs have arisen which profoundly influence the story. by tradition, everyone has a naming day when they are grown, at which point they select a name which reflects their outlook on life, their chosen profession, or the way they want others to see them. the second change derives from the so-called "panamorite" religion, which features total sexual freedom including oral sex between parents and their children. one source of frustration for the main character is his mother's decision to "cut him off" from intimate physical contact, a situation made worse by her becoming morbidly obese, which is not unusual in this society.