Define incest. Describe the causes and effects of incest?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

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Incest is defined as sexual relations between blood relatives. Typically, the definition is extended to include sex between certain nonblood relatives, such as between a stepparent and a child.

It has been long known that people frequently use sexual behavior to achieve nonsexual rewards. Adults who are threatened by and fearful of the rejection of other adults often turn for reassurance to children, who are nonthreatening and generally unconditionally loving. This need for acceptance can lead to the adult's initiating sexual behavior (especially if the adult had been sexually abused as a child, as is often the case) because many people view sexual behavior as the ultimate acceptance and ego validation. Most child molesters intend no harm to their victims; they are psychologically needy people who use children in their own battle for emotional survival.

It is important to bear in mind that incest is a symptom of a disturbed family system. Blair and Rita Justice have studied the consequences of incest at three different points in time: while the incest is going on, when the incest is discovered, and years after its occurrence.

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While the incest is occurring: A daughter who has sex with her father often gains special power over him; she controls a very important secret. Role confusion often occurs. The daughter is still a child, but at times she is a lover and an equal to her father. Victims are deprived of the opportunity to explore and discover their sexuality by themselves or with a peer partner of their choice. Instead, this normal sexual development is violated by an adult imposing his exploitative behavior. The mother may become both a parent and a rival to her daughter. Siblings may also become confused about who is in charge and how to relate to their sister who is receiving special privileges. Fathers in an incestuous family may become jealous and over possessive of their daughters.
When the incest is discovered: In a small number of cases, the incest is discovered when the daughter becomes pregnant. At times the incest is discovered by the mother, who then may try to stop it by reporting it to the police. Sometimes the mother discovers the incest but remains quiet. If the incest is reported to the police and criminal charges are filed against the father, the entire family is usually caught up in a traumatic, time-consuming, confusing, and costly legal process. When there is legal involvement, the daughter is often subjected to embarrassing and humiliating interrogation. Once she is recognized as a victim of incest, she may be approached sexually by other men who now view her as "fair game." Often she is removed from the home to prevent further abuse. In addition, the mother and father suffer considerable embarrassment and humiliation.
Years after its occurrence: The long-term effects of incest vary from child to child. Younger children usually do not fully realize the significance of the sexual behavior and tend to suffer less guilt than adolescent victims. However, with young children there is always the danger that, as they grow older and learn about society's taboos against incest, they may start blaming themselves for having participated. Possible long-term effects on the daughter include low self-esteem, guilt, depression, and fear. The daughter may also become angry at both parents for not protecting her and at the father for exploiting her.
If the incest is ongoing and unreported and the victim is an older child, she may attempt to avoid the abuser by running away from home. If she flees, there is a strong possibility that she will become a prostitute to support herself. She is also likely to abuse drugs as a method of escaping the life situation she is trapped in. Some victims during their childhood years seek to deny or suppress the traumas associated with incest. When they become adults, they may experience difficulties in developing relationships with others.