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Incest

Sexual relations (usually heterosexual) between blod relatives such as a father and daughter, brother and sister, mother and son, uncle and aunt, niece and nephew. Comes from the Latin word incestus, meaning impure.

Social taboos and laws against incest are found in practically all societies, but the degree of relationship may differ from society to society. One study fround that more than three fourths of all cases of incest were father-daughter relationships. Mother-son incest cases are accounted for about 1%, and brother-sister incestuous relationships were reported at 18%.

Father-daughter incest: Sexual relations between a father and daughter, which is one of the most common forms of incest. The incest victim is often a young girl, and the trauma can have life-long effects.

Mother-son incest: Sexual relations between mother and son. This form of incest may be associated with the absence of a father, marial conflict, a morally defective home, alcoholism, antisocial behavior, or mental illness on the part of one or both partners.

Incest permissiveness: The attitude that incest is permissible, or even required, under certain circumstances. Recent studies have shown that incest is more widespread in the United States than previously recognized, but is is usually performed sub rosa and not socially acceptable. On the other hand, The Kubao of South Africa require a boy to have intercourse with his mother to mark the beginning of his official sex life; and in Africa, a Watusi bridegroom must do the same as a cure for impotence experienced on his weedding night. Examples of this kind are extremely rare. There is apparently no society in which all types of incest are permitted.

Incestuous molester: Sexual molestation that involves members of the same family, usually a relationship between a father and daughter.

Also see: incest fantasies

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