Incest

Incest, sexual intercourse between people who are usually legally prohibited from marrying because of their close matrimonial or blood relationship. Although there is some form of incest that is taboo (forbidden) in every society, the degree of relationship within which marriage is forbidden varies greatly from culture to culture and in different periods of history. Almost universally, sexual relations between parent and child and between sister and brother are forbidden. One exception to this occurred among the royalty of ancient Egypt, whose members were required to marry their siblings.

Among endogamous peoples, who must marry within a limited societal group (see Endogamy), the practice of marrying within a caste (as among the Hindus of India), within a family group (as among many Native American tribes), or on the basis of genealogical descent (as among certain royal families of Europe) may result in marriages that would be considered incestuous under modern law. The argument advanced in favor of such intensive inbreeding is that it preserves superior bloodlines. Eugenicists and sociologists have often suggested, however, that inbreeding fosters the concentration of undesirable recessive genes, such as those possibly leading to mental retardation, which might otherwise not be manifested (see Heredity). Although this argument has been challenged, incest is still a prohibited practice throughout the world.

In the United States the statutes of the various states define the degrees of blood relationship within which sexual relations and marriage are strictly forbidden. These statutes also provide for the punishment of incest as a crime. Penalties range from a small fine to a long term of imprisonment.

Recent studies have indicated that incest, although rarely discussed, is a continuing problem in modern society. Sexual molestation by family members is a recurring form of child abuse.

See also Marriage.