Incest Essay -- essays research papers

IncestIncest is one of the most interesting taboos of our date. The translation ofincest is a highly controversial topic. Yet, the definition of incest is one ofthe most important definitions for the peck involved, though the laws andpsychologists meanings are not much the same. Incest needs to be similarlydefined for the incestuous parties, both by the law and by psychologists. Thedefinition of incest should be determined by the cases of incest. The people whocommit incest, and the types of incest should be considered when making thisdefinition for the law. Why incest occurs has a great deal to do with the peopleand the types of incest. With the definition variant between the law andpsychologists, it is very difficult for the involved to do anything well-nigh it.The definition is both stated as wrong by law and by most religious morals.According to psychologists, incest is defined as A- any intimate physicalcontact that is cozyly arousing between non-married members of a famil y."(Justice, pg 25) What this is interpreted as is that sexual intercourse does notneed to occur for a situation to be considered incestuous. Stroking, fondling,or even intimately kissing can be considered incest. This is not each true forthe laws definition. In Georgia, incest is defined as any sexual intercoursebetween known relatives, by blood or by marriage, (meaning a step-parent andstep-child.) Incest laws fundamentally exist to prohibit marriage or inbreedingbetween family members, and the sentences are almost never carried out. (Kosof,pg 53) So incest is stated as wrong, but not enforced. The Bible states thatincest is wrong, entirely as the law does. ACursed be he who has relations with hisfathers wife... Cursed be he who has relations with his sister or half-sister"(Deu 2720,22.) Therefore, the definition can be altered to fit the needs of thedefiner. The different forms of incest are as follows father-daughter, mother-son, brother-sister, and father-son. Conditi ons of incest dont always involveintercourse, but still hurt the included. So, the conditions should help todefine the firm meaning. " nevertheless surely at fourteen, I should have been capable ofescaping..." (Armstrong, pg 7) Father-daughter is the most common form ofincest. Three-fourths of all reported cases ordinarily involve dad and his oldestdaughter. It is usually non-... ...ween mother and father. Momeither denies dad sex, there is a major life crisis, or opportunity knocks. Theopportunity for incest occurs when mother is gone all the time and so thedaughter assumes the role of the mother. When this happens, there is a need fortreatment. This is when the definition of incest is most important. The childrenare very scared and need confidence. If he/she tells a psychologist or teacher,that person is required by law to tell the authorities. (Kosof, pg 53) When theauthorities are contacted, the definition comes into play. The child wants tofeel safe, and if their defi nition of incest doesnt live up to the laws, thenthe charges could be dropped and the child gets into more problems with incest.Therefore, the background of the incest is very important to the lawsdefinition. By the people involved, the form, and why it occurs are critical tohelping the child out when defining the term. The definition of incest by thelaw should be closer to the definition of psychologists in order to help out thefamily. AIt is evident that we still know very little about how to treat thesexual offender and the abused child effectively." (Kempe, pg 109)