Do you think incest should be illegal, no matter the circumstances? Personally, along with polygamy, I don't think there's a problem if everyone involved gives consent to the situation. Of course, there's the heightened risk of disabilities with inbred children, but we don't hate women over 35 having children despite the huge increase in the chance of the children having Down Syndrome, and we don't force people with Huntington's Chorea to take up a vow of chastity, despite the fact that there is a 50/50 chance of a child of the sufferer to inherit this incurable disease. And, many people could argue people who want to have sex with their close relatives are insane, they aren't hurting anyone else, so why do we hate it so much? Is it simply prejudice? What does The Escapist think?
Poll: I know I'm probably going to hell for this, but...
- Thread starter NuOmicronMu
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- Mar 31, 2010
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Hmmm... this is a difficult topic. On the one hand, to me and to the vast majority of people, incest does seem innately disgusting. However, if both partners are over the age of consent and they both understand the consequences, I see no reason for sex between relatives to be illegal. Whether they should be allowed to have children is an even harder decision though, one which I'm genuinally unsure about, because as you mentioned there is a much higher risk of the child being disabled.
I don't like the idea of incest, and it's for a reason that I guarantee you've never heard before.
Siblings are nice and all but I see enough of them as it is. I kind of got over the whole "sharing my life" thing with them when I was growing up, I wouldn't want to be emotionally tied to them in adulthood as well. Seems to defeat the entire purpose of becoming an adult, which is to break away from the family unit and forge your own path. That, to me, is the real damage that incest does - it keeps people emotionally stunted. It's against growth and change, but in an ever-growing, ever-changing world it's good to learn to adapt to those things and not live in a bubble.
Siblings are nice and all but I see enough of them as it is. I kind of got over the whole "sharing my life" thing with them when I was growing up, I wouldn't want to be emotionally tied to them in adulthood as well. Seems to defeat the entire purpose of becoming an adult, which is to break away from the family unit and forge your own path. That, to me, is the real damage that incest does - it keeps people emotionally stunted. It's against growth and change, but in an ever-growing, ever-changing world it's good to learn to adapt to those things and not live in a bubble.
I'm a fan of the saying "what consenting adults get up to behind closed doors is their own buisness." I don't particularly care either way, and even if I did feel strongly it wouldn't be any more my buisness because of those feelings.
Now the children though, that's different. Until society as a whole gets over its 'omg science is teh evilz!!!' stage and is OK with commonplace genetic screening for children (if you don't know what this means, it's a process which checks an unborn embreo for genetic diseases within the first weeks of pregnancy and allows an abortion of embreos doomed to be born with an illness) these couples shouldn't be legally allowed to have children, because then it's not just the consenting adults who knew the risks who suffer the consequenses, it's all their kids too. Once genetic screening is common (and I'm sure that it one day will be) then hey go ahead; the child won't be inflicted with any illness because of (arguably) poor choices from its parents.
(P.S. Um OP? The thread title kinda makes it seem like you're in an incestual relationship. Just thought I'd let you know.)
Now the children though, that's different. Until society as a whole gets over its 'omg science is teh evilz!!!' stage and is OK with commonplace genetic screening for children (if you don't know what this means, it's a process which checks an unborn embreo for genetic diseases within the first weeks of pregnancy and allows an abortion of embreos doomed to be born with an illness) these couples shouldn't be legally allowed to have children, because then it's not just the consenting adults who knew the risks who suffer the consequenses, it's all their kids too. Once genetic screening is common (and I'm sure that it one day will be) then hey go ahead; the child won't be inflicted with any illness because of (arguably) poor choices from its parents.
(P.S. Um OP? The thread title kinda makes it seem like you're in an incestual relationship. Just thought I'd let you know.)
Unless the liberty of the individual no longer goes above the comfort of the majority I see no reason why it should be outlawed. I don't think that they should be allowed to have a child together directly what with the well documented issues related to that, but adoption or bringing in a third party to utilize at least half of the couple's genetic pool would be fine.
Do whatever, whenever.
That is not a limited term for me.
And yes, it is simple prejudice. To me, anyways.
That is not a limited term for me.
And yes, it is simple prejudice. To me, anyways.
If I sound like a bigot for saying this...so be it, but I seriously would be concerned if it was legalised. Not only is it unethical, but it's also highly detrimental to our race (Genetically)... Shit...this is all very Freudian.
NO! MISUNDERSTOOD THE QUESTION! PICKED THE WRONG OPTION!
i meant to say...
yes, incest should ALWAYS be illegal... ALWAYS
i meant to say...
yes, incest should ALWAYS be illegal... ALWAYS
Did you know that in most Muslim societies it's absolutely acceptable to marry a Cousin? (That's technically considered incest too, right?) Just throwing that out there.
OT: If it's consensual and they are both adults. However if they hook-up publicly they should expect quite a bit of Alienation and a LOT of dirty Looks. The morality of that is not up for debate. It will happen. No amount of crying foul will prevent that....
OT: If it's consensual and they are both adults. However if they hook-up publicly they should expect quite a bit of Alienation and a LOT of dirty Looks. The morality of that is not up for debate. It will happen. No amount of crying foul will prevent that....
Nope, should be legal. Have kids? Little bit of an issue but it is a very minor increase in chance of disabilities, so the only issue left is the child possibly having an issue with the fact that their Aunt and Uncle are Mommy and Daddy, so... yeah. :/
I also think it shouldn't only be legal for adults.
The very idea that it is illegal in the first place is bullshite.
Basically, consensual with all involved should be A-OK.
flameshieldup.jaypeg
I also think it shouldn't only be legal for adults.
The very idea that it is illegal in the first place is bullshite.
Basically, consensual with all involved should be A-OK.
flameshieldup.jaypeg
I think resistance to changing the law on this is entirely societal, which shouldn't have an effect on law, but does. There are plenty of things people do that society may disapprove of in general (being a dick, most of the time) but we're legally entitled to do as long as we don't step on others toes too much.
I also think there are two issues at the heart of incest. The first issue is the same reason a lot of teachers get fired- it's the abuse of the position of power relationship. Making incest legal could allow for grooming by adults with a view to sexually abuse children when they're older (which would be perfectly legal as they're eventually of a consenting age). It could also lead to 'well, it'll be ok later on, so it's ok now' thinking. Pedophilia laws partially cover this, but incest laws double up.
The second, separate issue is offspring. Potentially, it could be legalised as long as it's safe/non-reproductive sex. The argument against that is that we don't make reproduction illegal for people with other disabilities; instead it's up to the individuals in question to consider the chances and difficulties that may be involved in bringing up a disabled child. I certainly don't think there should be a double-standard there.
Even amongst statutory non-consenting siblings, the most damage I've seen done has been the 'outing' of it, making a big fuss (whether via religious or bringing the law into it) and throwing the victim into the limelight. I think, at best, parents may strongly discourage it and educate their kids on it, much like you would with any precocious and pubescent child, but once they become adults, it's their responsibility to judge how society may judge them (if found out) and the issues involved.
I also think there are two issues at the heart of incest. The first issue is the same reason a lot of teachers get fired- it's the abuse of the position of power relationship. Making incest legal could allow for grooming by adults with a view to sexually abuse children when they're older (which would be perfectly legal as they're eventually of a consenting age). It could also lead to 'well, it'll be ok later on, so it's ok now' thinking. Pedophilia laws partially cover this, but incest laws double up.
The second, separate issue is offspring. Potentially, it could be legalised as long as it's safe/non-reproductive sex. The argument against that is that we don't make reproduction illegal for people with other disabilities; instead it's up to the individuals in question to consider the chances and difficulties that may be involved in bringing up a disabled child. I certainly don't think there should be a double-standard there.
Even amongst statutory non-consenting siblings, the most damage I've seen done has been the 'outing' of it, making a big fuss (whether via religious or bringing the law into it) and throwing the victim into the limelight. I think, at best, parents may strongly discourage it and educate their kids on it, much like you would with any precocious and pubescent child, but once they become adults, it's their responsibility to judge how society may judge them (if found out) and the issues involved.
I'm definitely not that liberal about these things.
I'm ok with being the bad guy and just saying no.
Children born via incestuous relationships are more often prone to birth defects and the ensuing reduced genetic diversity places individuals at greater risk of immune disorders.
Bam.
I'm ok with being the bad guy and just saying no.
Children born via incestuous relationships are more often prone to birth defects and the ensuing reduced genetic diversity places individuals at greater risk of immune disorders.
Bam.