Your opinion on Incest

After reading the replies in the Homesexuality Debate started by Labib, it seemed to me that most people don't have a problem with homosexuals and are accepting of them in general. It's agreed between a lot of members that homosexuality is something that someone is born with, and cannot be helped.

Nice topic Lalitha, and if I may say another controversial one. Don't think I will be able to give much time on this thread, though, seeing that I am extremely busy on the other thread.

I haven't come across any solid scientific theory that classes incest as a natural tendency (contrary to homosexuality, which is classed as a natural tendency by almost all authentic psychological departments). Correct me if I'm being wrong in any way, aren't kids born out of siblings or very close relatives more prone to be infected with diseases? I'm not quite sure, and since I haven't done much studies on this subject (as this doesn't seem to be as controversial and as a throbbing issue like homosexuality, or abortion is), I can't say it for sure, but as much as I have come across, I heard that child[ren] born put of very close relatives have biological problems; here is one short link from Wikipedia on that matter. So if they are a heterosexual couple, they cannot have kids, and always have protected sex.

Also there are parents who sexually abuses their child, and that must be prohibited.

While incest might also be a natural tendency, and something a person is born with (i.e. not a choice), it must be a minority who are born like that, or grow up like that.

Personally, I am on a fence for supporting incest. While I believe in the "Live and Let live" and "Only God will judge me" argument, I cannot support incest if it involves people of opposite sex (or at least I cannot support them having babies).

Let's see how others react to it. I don't think this topic is going to end up nicely. DOn't know if it is applicable for IF either, 'cause we have 13 years kids, too.

If I m not mistaken HS & Incest both R illegal in many countries

Originally posted by: angie.4u

If I m not mistaken HS & Incest both R illegal in many countries

Originally posted by: Kal El

What consenting adults do in their bedroom/private lives is none of my business. We must also consider that the very definition of incest varies among cultures. Cousin marriages are normal in some and abhorred in others for example. In some cultures marriage within the same tribe or clan maybe considered incest. Even here it sometimes depends on who is considered part of the tribe and who isn't. In other cultures it is a matter of caste and whether or not the culture is matrilineal or patrilineal. Often an uncle/niece or aunt/nephew relationship would be allowed (even encouraged) while the same is considered immoral in other cultures. Back in the 19th century UK was still fighting over whether it is incest for a man to marry his brother's widow or for a man to marry his deceased wife's sister.

Frankly I am not bothered as much by consenting adults engaging in incest as much as I am concerned about the offspring since inbreeding has a scientific link to increased frequency of congenital defects. This is of course a problem with heterosexual incest. The homosexual variety is quite free from this concern. I am not entirely sure if the psychological issues wouldn't be bad (for the child that is).

I don't like how incest is often punished by prison sentences. I mean there are far more serious crimes that deserve that kind of attention and money/resources than some harmless adults engaging in 'kinky' behaviour in their bedrooms.

I think the medical issues will eventually be solved and some day we will be able to detect and correct congenital issues during the pregnancy.